Dream+Deferred

= Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes (637) =





 Langston Hughes

 * ====American poet and social activist ====
 * ====Born: February 1, 1902 in Joplin, Missouri ====
 * ====Died: May 22, 1967 in New York City ====
 * ====Great grandmothers- African American ====
 * ====Great Grandfathers- White Slave Owners ====
 * ====Father- active educator and activist for African American voting and rights ====

Analysis

 * "What happens to a dream deferred"- The word dream implies a futuristic goal and the word "deferred" further enforces the delay of this dream. The words "what happens" infer that the dream is at a stand still, waiting. With the knowledge of Hughes background and the time period, it is assumed that this "dream" is equal rights in the U.S. Moreover, what does happen to a dream deferred? The poem goes on to hypothesis.
 * "Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"- If a grape is left in the sun for a long time, it will dry up, becoming more sweet and more tough. This line was later the title of a play.
 * "Or fester like a sore and then run?"- This image makes the reader think of something disturbing and painful. The sore is the pain of a dream waiting to be realized. It could be eating away at someone. The "run" could represent hope and opportunity. This could also be an allusion to slavery, with the sores being from whippings and them trying to run away.
 * "Does it stink like rotten meat?"- Stinking rotten meat is waiting to be thrown away, so the speaker is contemplating if a dream deferred is simply going to be discarded. This could also be referring to times after the Harlem Renaissance Even though, they tried to improve African Americans status and living conditions, many still lived in smelly, dirty, old neighborhoods.
 * "Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet?"- The crust represents the protection of the dream and the sugaring over is significant because the dream is not stagnant. It will always be changing. Also, if a goal is not achieved, the person will become less optimistic to the idea of success. Therefore, they might get a "crust" over them.
 * "Maybe it just sags like a heavy load."- This simile is important because the dream is at least doing something. Nevertheless, it gives the connotation that the dream is a burden. This is the only statement in the poem because this is what happens to most deferred dreams; they depress and wear down the dreamer. This could also tie in with slavery because of the hard labor they had to do.
 * "Or does it explode?"- This line is in italics to represent the speaker's voice and tone. This is clearly the worst thing that could happen. The feelings of bitterness and regret build until there is a break-out of violence. This could be an allusion to the civil rights movement and the murders and hatred that went along with it.

**Imagery:** This poem is in the figurative language chapter because of the numerous similes and image in the poem.
 * Theme: **Dreams are meant to be pursued and if they are deferred, the outcome will be negative. Follow your dreams and don't miss opportunities.

**Meter:** Hughes uses free verse, irregular meter, eleven lines, and no rhyming pattern, though there are three instance of rhyming words in the poem.
 *  Emotion: ** This poem embodies many emotions, such as resentment, bitterness, fatigue, and the last line is even ominous.

** "A Raisin in the Sun": ** First ever play depicting an African American family realistically(1950's). Before, African Americans were played by whites usually stereo-typically and for comedic purposes. This Broadway play follows the story of a black family struggling to live and pursue their dreams. [|A Raisin in the Sun- Movie Trailer] <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Brennan, Ryan. "An Explication of 'Harlem' by Langston Hughes." //Scribd.// Scribd, 13 Feb. 2011. Web. 4 Mar. 2013. <http://www.scribd.com/doc/119767918/Poem-Analysis-Harlem-or-Dream-Deferred>. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">"Poetry: Chapter 5: Figurative Language I." //Perrine's Literature//. 7th ed. Fort Worth: Harcourt Brace College, 1998. 619-37. Print. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; font-size: 12pt;">Schaper, Arthur Christopher. "Poetry Analysis: 'Dream Deferred' by Langston Hughes." //The Epoch Times//. Epoch Times, 5 Sept. 2012. Web. 1 Mar. 2013. <http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/arts-entertainment/poetry-analysis-dream-deferred-by-langston-hughes-288523.html>.
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Works Cited: **