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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author expresses deep love for America and desire to return there.
In plain terms
America is the speaker's true home and he wants to go back.
What can you take from it?
Patriotism and longing define the speaker's view of home.

Where it applies

  • immigration
  • expatriate life
  • patriotic events

Putting it to work

  • writing poetry
  • celebrating holidays
  • discussing identity

Questions to consider

  • What makes a country feel like home?
  • How does patriotism shape identity?

Another view

Not everyone feels the same connection to their country of origin.

More from Henry van Dyke

  1. I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack; The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.

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  2. As long as habit and routine dictate the pattern of living, new dimensions of the soul will not emerge.

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  3. Oh, London is a man's town, there's power in the air; And Paris is a woman's town, with flowers in her hair; And it's sweet to dream in Venice, and it's great …

    Permalink to quote #33

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