“Dreams”
and
“Harlem – A DREAM Deferred”
“Dreams” Discussion
Questions
To what does the speaker compare life in the
first stanza?
Interpret the metaphors. What does each
suggest about life?
Restate in your own words the advice that
this poem offers. The American poet Delmore
Schwarts once wrote," In dreams begin
responsibilities." How might Hughes interpret
this statement? Base your answer on the
poems you have just read.
“Dreams”
by Langston Hughes
Metaphors: Life is a
broken-winged bird that
Assonance: that & cannot fly
cannot; frozen &
snow Life is a barren field frozen
with snow
“Dream Deferred” Discussion
Questions
List the verbs used to indicate what can
happen to "a dream deferred.”
With what kind of dream do you think the
poem is concerned? Identify five similes in
the poem. What do you think the speaker is
suggesting in each simile?
Discuss the following theme: dream,
disillusionment, poverty and frustrations
Interpret the last line. Why people need to
feel they can fulfill their dreams?
“Dream Deferred”
by Langston Hughes
(Harlem)
What happens to a dream deferred? Tone:
Questioning,
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun
judgmental, warning
Or fester like a sore—
Speaker:
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat? Someone who
Or crust and sugar over— is bitter about
Like a syrupy sweet?
having his
dreams put off
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load. Audience:
Society
Or does it explode?
“Dream Deferred”
by Langston Hughes
(Harlem)
Subject:
What happens to a dream deferred? A series of rhetorical
questions about living
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun with disappointment
Or fester like a sore—
(Harlem)
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun
Or fester like a sore—
Or does it explode?
“Dream Deferred”
ANNOTATIONS
(Harlem)
What happens to a dream deferred? A Type: Lyric
Does it dry up B
like a raisin in the sun C Stanzas: Six
Or fester like a sore— D
Alliteration:
(Harlem)
“dream deferred”
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Similes:
“dry up like a rasin in the sun”
like a raisin in the sun “fester like a sore-”
Or fester like a sore— “stink like rotten meat”
Sugar over-Like a syrupy
And then run? sweet?”
Does it stink like rotten meat? “sag like a heavy load”
Or crust and sugar over—
Imagery:
Like a syrupy sweet?
“raisin in the sun”
“fester like a sore”
Maybe it just sags
“stink like rotten meat”
like a heavy load.
“heavy load”
“explode”
Or does it explode?
Essential Question
Why do writers use figurative language
like similes and metaphors in their
poetry?