According to the poem, what was the first thing that happened to immigrants after they arrived at Ellis Island?
In line 5 of the poem, what do you think the word sickness refers to? (Explain more than "the old Empires of Europe".)
In line 9, who is the "tall woman, green"?
What does the color green symbolize? Besides suggesting the color of the "tall woman", what else might "green" be suggesting for immigrants? (You may have to do some research to help you answer.)
In lines 11-13, why did those who worked "a thousand years" never own anything? What do you think they came to America?
How does the speaker of the poem describe Ellis Island in lines 15-17?
In line 18, the mood of the poem shifts. Explain the mood of the poem before and after line 18.
What does the speaker mean by the "Lands invaded" in line 22? What historical event might he be thinking of?
How do you think the speaker of the poem feels about "owning land"? Why does he feel this way?