Free Essay

Statue of Liberty

In: People

Submitted By alund721
Words 499
Pages 2
Amanda Lund
Professor Leonard
ENC 1101
4 February 2014

Mother of Exiles She is the most recognizable woman in the world, but what is the significance of the sexuality of the Statue of Liberty? Most people have little to no knowledge over why this monumental statue is a woman. It has been debated over the years about her true significance. Some believe it was just choice and that she’s just a 152 foot tall, green woman in a robe, with a torch in one hand, book in the other. The truth, the representation of the statue of liberty portrayed as a woman has everything to do with her sexuality, it was not just a coincidence. She was designed and sculpted by the French freeman, Auguste Bartholdi in 1878. It took him and his crew a long 9 years of building until it was finally completed in 1884. It was believed that he had a vision of a “magnificent” goddess with a torch in one hand welcoming visitors to the “land of freedom and opportunity” (Bond). Therefore, as you would guess, he constructed a goddess. Specifically, Libertas meaning “liberty” (“The Statue of Liberty and Statue”), derived from ancient Rome. Her role, to stand for freedom of slavery, oppression and tyranny.
Surprisingly, her posture wasn’t based off of the goddess, but on what the Colossus was thought to look like before the earthquake destroyed it in the nineteenth century. Colossus was a statue in the city of Rhodes of a Greek titan Helios. A giant copper statue, standing straight up with head held high, as a significance of power. Ultimately, she was the perfect symbol as a gift to America from France, which honored the new alliances and independence of the two nations. This now historical statue was received on October 28th, 1886 and accepted by President Grover Cleveland on behalf of America. “We will not forget that Liberty has here made her home; nor shall her chosen altar be neglected." (“The Statue of Liberty: The Meaning”) Shortly after, she was given the name “Mother of Exiles” (“The Statue of Liberty: The Meaning”) for also acting as a symbol of a “mother” country, for immigrants leaving their countries in hopes for a better life. She also served as a “goddess” to slaves who considered her a saint in their hopes of winning freedom.
She gives hope when there was no hope, she gives freedom when there was no freedom at all and she gives guidance to the ones that were lost. This is a woman full of different symbolism, not only to just America, but to the world.

Works Cited
“The Statue of Liberty and Statue of Freedom.” Transmissions Media. Transmission.org, n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2014.
“The Statue of Liberty: The Meaning and Use of a National Symbol.” National Endowment for the Humanities. NationalEndowment.net, n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2014.
Bond, William. “Goddess Symbolism Within Freemasonry.” Woman Thou Art God. Goddess Journal, 2005. Web. 2 Feb. 2014.

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