"The Star Spangled Banner" serves as a point of irony, highlighting Helga's inner desire to make drastic changes in her situation. The song itself is symbolic of the promises of America, yet Helga feels suddenly and drastically removed from those promises. Indeed, she has just endured a speech by a White preacher who has pointed to Naxos as an exemplary model for the nation because Black people there "[know] enough to stay in their places." He then used Scripture to instruct them to "know when and where to stop," pointing to discontent as being sinful. And then she had listened to the encouraging applause of the audience.

She realizes that she is not part of a school but part of a machine that is designed to cut all students into a "white man's pattern." There is no room for individuality or for those who express discontent with the system that has been established.

It is ironic, then, that the students hear "The Star Spangled Banner" as they are marched to breakfast before a day of education in which Helga realizes their individual differences will not be valued. Instead, they will be charged with complying with the established system, knowing when to stop reaching for something better than their current situation and being content with their lives. The fact that they are required to march in goose-step further highlights the necessity of complying and adhering to the established authority. This is not the symbolic hope of the nation's anthem.