Themes and message

Unity vs. Division

The main theme of the poem “The Hill We Climb” by Amanda Gorman is unity and harmony, which is contrasted with the discord and division of the recent past.

Throughout the poem, harmony and unity are seen as the preferred weapon against adversity. The speaker attempts to persuade listeners that being united is better than being divided:

We seek harm to none and harmony to all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.
That even as we tired, we tried.
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.
Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division. (ll. 18-24).

These lines suggest that when a nation is united, even a sin...