A DREAM DEFERREDBy Langston Hughes

A Dream Deferred

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore--

And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Questions for Analysis

When was this poem written?

Who is the author?

What is the poem’s meaning?

What literary elements are used in the poem?

Harlem Renaissance

1920s-1930s

African-American cultural revolution

Era of written and artistic creativity

Eneas de Trova, Harlem Renaissance, May 11, 2010, Attribution

Origins of the Harlem Renaissance

Huge numbers of African Americans migrated north

No opportunities in the South North was industrial. South was

agricultural. African Americans were encouraged to

celebrate heritage An explosion of music, literature, art.

Langston Hughes

Born 1902, in Joplin, Missouri. 

Lincoln, Illinois - began writing poetry.

Wrote novels, short stories, plays, poetry

Writing important in shaping Harlem Renaissance.

Died: 1967 of prostate cancer.

onBeing, Langston Hughes, May 15, 2007, Attribution – Non-commercial – ShareAlike

Hughes’ Contribution to Harlem Renaissance

Portrayals of black life in America. Involved with the world of jazz Personal life and common African

American experience. Told stories of African American people Reflected culture, suffering, music,

language

Reaching Theme

How do you reach theme?Analyze parts of the poem.Look at poem line by line.Look for literary devices and meaning.

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Literary Devices

Imagery “fester like a sore” Rhetorical Questions “What happens to a

dream deferred?” Simile “Like a raisin in the sun” Rhyme “load – explode” Diction “dream deferred”

Rhetorical Questions

How can dream…“dry up” “fester like a sore.” “stink like rotten

meat”“crust and sugar

over”“sag like a heavy

load”“explode”

David Harris, IMG_0211, March 10, 2008, Attribution.

Word Choice

How does word choice help discover the author’s meaning?What does the author mean by “dream”?What does “deferred” mean?What happens when dreams are “deferred”?

Rhythm

Definition: the flow or cadence of the writing

Read the poem aloud.

What does it sound like?

How to the words flow together?

Stuart Seeger,Jazz New Orleans Style, August 12, 2006, Attribution

Understanding Theme

Having to postpone one’s deepest desires can lead to destructionWhat does the theme mean?How was the theme important to Harlem

Renaissance?How do we apply the theme to our lives?

Theme’s Importance to the Harlem Renaissance

Encouraged African-Americans to dream Take advantage of new opportunities Break free of the racial struggles of the

1920s

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Theme’s Importance Today

Encourage us to follow our dreams Take risks to follow our dreams If you don’t, may miss opportunities

Works Cited

"Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes." PoemHunter.Com - Thousands of Poems and Poets.. Poetry Search Engine. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. <http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/dream-deferred/>.

"Hughes' Harlem - A Dream Deferred: Analysis and Commentary." Suite101.com: Online Magazine and Writers' Network. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <http://www.suite101.com/content/hughes---harlem--a-dream-deferred--a11137>.

"Harlem Renaissance." 42explore2 Temporary Index Page. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <http://www.42explore2.com/harlem.htm>.

"A Brief Guide to the Harlem Renaissance." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/5657>.

"Langston Hughes." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. Web. 20 Feb. 2011. <http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/83>.