1. What thoughts come to your mind when you read “The Hill We Climb”? 2. Which line, between both poems seems particularly impactful to you? Why?
3. How does Gorman describe what “being American” is or isn’t? Why do you think she describes it in this way? What, if anything, might you change or add to her description?
4. What do you think is meant by the phrase “quiet isn’t always peace”? If you had to restate this idea in your own words, how would you say this? Can you think of a time when things have been quiet but not peaceful?
5. Gorman writes that “the norms and notions of what just is, isn’t always justice.” What do you think this line means? Do you agree? Why or Why not?
6. Think about all of the poetry we read today from different time periods. Imagine reading these poems as a student 30, 50, 70 years from now. What might someone who had never experienced the events of 2020 think? Are there messages in these poems that would resonate with someone of any time period?

7. In an interview with The New York Times, Gorman said, “Now more than ever, the United States needs an inaugural poem. Poetry is typically the touchstone that we go back to when we have to remind ourselves of the history that we stand on, and the future that we stand for.” What do you think she means? How does poetry capture our feelings or attitudes in a way that traditional speeches or prose does not? How did “The Hill We Climb” seek to accomplish these goals?