Jennifer Przybylo

Mrs. Sauer
American Lit
30 september 15
Trail to the Top
Our elders have had an extremely diverse experience watching our country repeatedly
rise, and conquer controversial issues society has brought forth. Philip Levine, a brave,
opinionated author, wrote a powerful poem titled The Rains to express his inside perspective on
the time of economic failure and war we refer to today as the Great Depression. As Levine grew
older and matured, so did America. Levine watched America grow from the pits of the great
depression to the country it is today. The American population was full of hope for the future,
and pride after witnessing a miraculous recovery. After analyzing the poem, we see that it
contains different motifs that represent hope that the American population had to continue
to grow and develop, America's fear, and ability to make a change; which is something that
has been very apparent in the United states in the last few decades and something that I,
and many other Americans, have witnessed first hand.
Levines poem is written in the mindset of his young self. The text contains several
lines that portray the fear in Americans hearts that drive the need for change and growth.
He writes his poem about a metaphorical storm that is most likely representing World War Two.
He creates a hectic aura to the story by reflecting on the metaphorical storm and describing how
it keeps coming (Levine 2). He writes that hes afraid of the storm because hes afraid of
water [he] know[s] [he] cant stop, as was most of the American population was at the time (910). They feared to have to deal with another world war, and they feared communism. As a result

of the fear and desire to stop the spread of communism, the government aimed their economy
towards the war efforts. This resulted in advancements in the medical field, weaponry, and
technology. Due to scientists and inventors stepping up for the good of the country, "[i]t did not
flood (17). The fear of millions of people can cause a nation to crumble and fail. Luckily fear in
America brought out the best and it help our country unite and improve.
Although fear was a primary motive in the reforms our country performed to succeed in
World War Two, we have proven that it does not just require fear to change. In just a century our
country was able to grant equality to everyone, give marriage rights to people of different
sexualities, and pass laws to ensure our safety in this country. Being only sixteen, I feel as though
I have seen America at some of its best and worst points. I believe it has helped me accept
realities in society and see just how amazing our country is.
In America, we are privileged to live in a society that has the ability to rise and reform
when it is needed. In The Rains Levine writes how the storm comes to an end, and with a
small struggle a new, calm environment emerges, just like America did after World War ll.
As he ends his poem he brings the reader to a new world we have come to call home (48-50).
He explains that as Americans we have a unique ability to be able to grow, accept the growth,
and look for the next issue to tackle. America sets priorities to walk [h]and in hand, and when
we achieve we will go forward" (56-57). We have given ourselves the freedom, and equality;
that is why our country continues to move in a positive direction. Americans are never idle,
theyre always looking for ways to help our country blossom into the dream other countries
believe it is.
With our ability to grow and our freedoms to express what we want to change; Americans
show their desire to keep helping the country develop. With our history of achievement and

success, the citizens of America have hope that we will continue to grow and prosper. Philip
Levine was someone who had hope in the growth of our country. He is a witness of people
moving forward toward nothing and having success here in America (57). Levine had watched
America from his very young ages, grow to what it is today. It seems as though he is very
passionate about his country and hopes it will continue to grow as it did with his generation.
Philip Levine had a well-rounded understanding of how special it is to be an American
citizen. This country is on a constant roller coaster of growth and decline. And Levine knew
what it was like to experience fear, and have ability and hope in America. Being able to have
those three components in a country results in a tighter society and accomplishments that set us
apart from all other societies.

Works Cited
Levine, Philip. The Rains. Detroit: PoemHunter, 2003. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.