American Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

In what year did the poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus first appear?

1. 1903

2. 1883

3. 1803

4. 1783

The correct answer is: 1883

The poem "The New Colossus" by Emma Lazarus first appeared in 1883. This is because the poem was written specifically to raise funds for the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty, which was being constructed in the late 19th century. Additionally, the poem gained renewed popularity in the early 20th century when it was inscribed on a bronze plaque and placed inside the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. Therefore, the options of 1903, 1803, and 1783 are incorrect as they are not relevant to the specific context of the poem's publication.