The "New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus, dedicated in 1886 is a conventional Italian sonnet. Like all sonnets of that kind it treats its theme, the significance of "Liberty enlightening the world" in a descriptive octave and an a encouraging sestet.
In the first line the Stature of Liberty is compared to the "brazen giant of Greek", which, as a symbol, stood for power, intimidation and greatness in the past. Other than the ancient symbol the Stature is given positive attributes . It's symbolically described as "Mother of Exiles" with mild eyes", giving hope to those oppressed, badly ruled, starving and desperate human beings in the wide world, especially Europe. Furthermore this caring mother is equipped with a "beacon- hand", which, at first glance, guides ships along the coast or into the "harbor", but in reality it leads these just mentioned people to freedom, equality and satisfaction, additionally it may lead exiles to America, but not necessarily.
All of the points mentioned become as clear as glass within the sestet, where, silently in direct speech an offer is made to all "huddled masses" and "homeless". The stature offers to "lift [her] lamp" besides the "golden door", representing the idea and ideal of America: freedom.
The "golden door" may represent the threshold to paradise, but just a mundane equivalent, in the eyes of the autor.
Concluding it can be said that Emma Lazarus choose the style of her poem wisely, just like America split off from England in reality she does in her poem, by the use of the Italian sonnet. At the same time readers should keep in that the author idealizes "The New Colossus" and thereby presents a distorted picture of the stature's dedication and meaning.
