Unguarded Gate
By Thomas Bailey Aldrich
Wide open and unguarded stand our gates,
Named after the four winds: North, South, East, and West;
Portals that lead to an enchanted land
Of cities, forests, fields of living gold,
Vast prairies, lordly summits touched with snow,
Majestic rivers sweeping proudly past
The Arab’s date palm and the Norseman’s pine
A realm wherein are fruits of every zone,
Airs of all climes, for lo! throughout the year
The red rose blossoms somewhere and a rich land,
A later Eden planted in the wilds,
With not an inch of earth within its bounds
But if a slave’s foot presses it, it sets him free!
Here it is written, toil shall have its wage,
And honor, honor, and the humblest man
Stand level with the highest in the law.
Of such a land have men in dungeons dreamed,
And with the vision brightening in their eyes
They go smiling toward the flag and the sword.
Wide open and unguarded stand our gates,
And through them presses a wild motley throng —
Men from the Volga and the Tartar steppes,
Featureless figures of the Hoang-Ho,
Malayan, Scythian, Teuton, Kelt, and Slav,
Flying the Old World’s poverty and scorn;
They bring unknown gods and rites, and tiger passions
Here to stretch their claws.
In street and alley what strange tongues are these,
Accents of menace alien to our air,
Voices that once the Tower of Babel knew!
O Liberty, white Goddess! Is it well
To leave the gates unguarded? On thy breast
Fold Sorrow’s children, soothe the hurts of fate,
Lift the down-trodden, but with a hand of steel,
Keep from those who come to your sacred portals the gifts of freedom.
Lest the clustered stars on your brow be torn and trampled in dust.
For so of old, the thronging Goth and Vandal trampled Rome,
And where the temples of the Caesars stood,
The lean wolf, unmolested, made her lair.
Summary of “Unguarded Gate”
“Unguarded Gate,” penned by Thomas Bailey Aldrich, explores the complex theme of immigration and its potential impact on a nation. The poem presents a vision of America as a land of abundance and freedom, a “later Eden” welcoming all who seek refuge and opportunity. Initially, the tone is optimistic, portraying a nation where “toil shall have its wage” and all are equal under the law. However, this idyllic vision is juxtaposed with growing anxieties about the influx of diverse cultures and the potential for social unrest. The “motley throng” arriving from various corners of the world is not solely seen as a source of enrichment, but also as a potential threat to the established order. The poem ends with a warning, drawing a parallel between the fall of Rome and the potential consequences of unchecked immigration, urging a cautious approach to preserving the nation’s ideals and stability.
Central Idea
The poem’s central idea revolves around the tension between the welcoming spirit of liberty and the need to preserve cultural identity and social order. It questions the extent to which a nation can embrace diversity without jeopardizing its own values and stability, leaving readers to ponder the responsibilities that come with being a beacon of freedom.
Notable Knowledge
“Unguarded Gate” was first published in The Atlantic in 1892, a period of significant immigration to the United States. The poem sparked considerable debate, with some interpreting it as a patriotic celebration of American openness and others viewing it as a nativist expression of anti‑immigrant sentiment. Aldrich himself revised certain lines in later editions, suggesting a degree of sensitivity to the criticism surrounding the poem’s potentially exclusionary message.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “Unguarded Gate”
Literary Devices
- Allusion: Aldrich skillfully employs allusions to classical history and mythology. References to “Eden,” “Rome,” and the “Goth and Vandal” evoke a sense of historical precedent, suggesting that the challenges faced by America are not unique and carry the weight of the past. For example, the comparison to the fall of Rome— “For so of old the thronging Goth and Vandal trampled Rome”—serves as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of unchecked influx.
- Metaphor: The “unguarded gate” itself is a central metaphor representing America’s open borders and the potential vulnerability that comes with it. The poem also utilizes metaphorical language to describe the land itself—a “rich land,” a “later Eden”—emphasizing its abundance and promise.
- Imagery: Vivid imagery is used throughout the poem to create a strong sense of place and atmosphere. Descriptions of “vast prairies,” “lordly summits,” and “majestic rivers” paint a picture of a bountiful and awe‑inspiring land. The imagery also shifts to convey a sense of threat, with phrases like “tiger passions” and “accents of menace” evoking unease.
- Personification: Liberty is personified as a “white Goddess,” a benevolent figure who offers refuge and solace. This personification elevates the concept of freedom to a divine level, emphasizing its importance and power.
Poetic Devices
- Diction and Tone: Aldrich employs a generally formal and elevated diction, contributing to the poem’s solemn and reflective tone. While initially celebratory, the tone shifts to one of caution and anxiety as the poem progresses, mirroring the growing concerns about immigration.
- Enjambment: The use of enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause—creates a sense of fluidity and momentum. For example, the lines “And where the temples of the Caesars stood the lean wolf, unmolested, made her lair” flow seamlessly into one another, emphasizing the connection between the fall of Rome and the potential consequences of unchecked immigration.
- Free Verse: The poem does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern, giving it a sense of freedom and naturalness. This allows Aldrich to focus on the rhythm and flow of the language, creating a more conversational and engaging reading experience.
In-Depth Analysis with Line Extracts
The Promise of America (Lines 1‑16)
The poem begins by portraying America as a land of unparalleled opportunity and abundance. The “unguarded gates” symbolize an open invitation to all who seek refuge and prosperity. The imagery used in these lines—“cities, forests, fields of living gold,” “vast prairies,” “lordly summits”—evokes a sense of natural beauty and limitless potential. The phrase “A later Eden” establishes a parallel between America and the biblical paradise, suggesting a land where hardship and suffering can be overcome. The lines “With not an inch of earth within its bounds but if a slave’s foot presses it, it sets him free” powerfully articulate the promise of liberation and equality that America holds.
The Arrival of the Immigrant (Lines 17‑26)
The tone shifts as the poem introduces the “motley throng” of immigrants arriving from various corners of the world. The description of these newcomers—“Men from the Volga and the Tartar steppes, featureless figures of the Hoang-Ho”—is initially neutral, simply acknowledging their diversity. However, as the lines continue, a sense of unease begins to emerge. The phrase “Flying the Old World’s poverty and scorn” suggests that these immigrants are not merely seeking opportunity, but also escaping hardship and oppression. The imagery of “tiger passions” and “claws” hints at a potential for conflict and disruption.
The Warning and the Conclusion (Lines 27‑38)
The final stanzas of the poem issue a warning about the dangers of unchecked immigration. The personification of Liberty as a “white Goddess” emphasizes the importance of preserving the nation’s values and ideals. The lines “Lest the clustered stars on your brow be torn and trampled in dust” convey a sense of urgency and vulnerability. The comparison to the fall of Rome— “For so of old the thronging Goth and Vandal trampled Rome”—serves as a cautionary tale, suggesting that even the most powerful nations can fall victim to internal decay and external threats. The image of the “lean wolf” making its lair where the temples of the Caesars once stood reinforces this sense of decline and loss.
“Unguarded Gate” remains a complex and thought‑provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today. While the poem’s anxieties about immigration may seem dated to some, its exploration of the tension between openness and preservation remains remarkably relevant in an increasingly globalized world.