A Green Light Somewhere

             Celebrating its 200^th birthday in 2014, the United States national anthem “The Star-Spangled Banner” was originally penned as a poem commemorating the defense of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. Though the poem was originally titled “Defense of Fort M’Henry,” it lost three of its four stanzas and adopted the tune of the popular British social song “"The Anacreontic Song” and became known as “The Star-Spangled Banner,” (Smithsonian). Perhaps the removal of these additional stanzas was essential in transforming the poem into a song, particularly in reducing the already steep difficulty in remembering and reciting the lines.

 Adopted as the national anthem in 1931 by a resolution signed by President Herbert Hoover, it has since become an international symbol of American patriotism representative of triumph and spirit, (Smithsonian). It is now traditionally sung in arenas and stadiums prior to major sporting events and ceremonies as a continuous reminder of American freedoms and opportunities

Boarding a ship from Baltimore on orders to exchange prisoners of war with the British, composer Francis Scott Keys had a great vantage to observe the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Noting the brilliance and magnitude of the enormous American flag that stood atop the battlements, a British officer guaranteed Keys that the flag would not last the night. Despite the officer’s surety, Keys observed the triumph of the American flag as it still stood illuminated by the dawn’s light. To Keys, this sight proved inspirational and formed the basis for his poem that has encapsulated American resolve and determination:

Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

(Smithsonian)

            As a token for American determination and will to survive in the face of opposition aiming to oppress, the vision of the enormous banner of the American flag proved inspirational to all fighting and living under it. Surviving bombardment and siege, the defiant waving of the flag that still stood summarizes the American spirit of freedom and bravery.

            Though intending to secure a legacy in his chosen field of legal practice, Francis Scott Key’s legacy ultimately lies as a poet and creator of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The fame garnered from his work afforded him prominence and recognition, securing him high profile clients as an attorney and later a position as United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Key’s success proves that brilliance may sprout in the poetry of anyone in possession of a potent muse. Muses may range from spectacular scenes such as the defense of Fort McHenry to any other vision or thought of grandeur existing in all corners of the world.

            Born in 1896 and named for his famous distant cousin, Francis Scott or F. Scott Fitzgerald took the literary mantle of his relative and brought it to greater heights. Rather than capturing the patriotic aspects of Americanism as Keys had, Fitzgerald instead expressed aspects of the splendor and extravagance of the Jazz Age. During this period of the 1920’s, America established itself as the wealthiest country in the world for the first time in its history. This  contrast in ages is reflected in Fitzgerald’s writings that emphasize the fact that the strength and power of human emotion cannot be suffocated by lavishment.

(Princeton University Library)

            One such short story penned by Fitzgerald that exemplifies a shift in American culture and literary values is “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz.” In this story, a disgustingly wealthy family holds and hoards lands rich with a number and size of diamonds capable of supplying the world’s population with a supply sufficient to increase their availability to everyone. However, instead of introducing these diamonds to market, the family obsessively and cruelly protects them from outsiders, even to the lengths of murdering valued guests to secure the knowledge of their location. This act of conservation may reflect Fitzgerald’s belief that the freedoms and potential wealth afforded to America are a concept, and that beholding and believing in them do not bring them to realization.

            Perhaps most famous of Fitzgerald’s work, The Great Gatsby is an additional cautionary story concerning the American Dream and what can be lost in the pursuit. Similarly eschewing Keys emphasis of American triumph, this novel reveals the emotional hardships wrought by the endeavor for value and identity. Jay Gatsby is a man who achieved his dream of acquiring vast riches and a mansion, but when his wealth is insufficient to win the affection of his flame he is condemned to a sorrow as deep as those whose dreams never came true.

            Ultimately, what inspires us to write and erect monuments of thought contained within poems and writings that defy the ages vary in manner, but not in power of revelation. Just as Key’s inspirer was the pride of a flag and Fitzgerald’s the trials of a dream, the one thing that is certain is that everyone has a green light somewhere.

Source:

http://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/a-moment-of-triumph.aspx