Setting

The poem “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman mentions the past, the present, as well as the future of the United States of America.

Some of the events mentioned in the poem refer to recent events. For instance, the “force that would shatter our nation rather than share it” (l. 30) most likely refers to former US president Donald Trump who was accused of instigating his supporters to violence after he lost the November 2020 elections. “This effort very nearly succeeded” (l. 32) refers to the storming of the US Capitol which took place on the 6th of January 2021, an event which was seen as an attack on democracy. 

Despite mentioning some obstacles and hardships, the atmosphere created by the poem is positive and hopeful. Even the negative aspects ...