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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>.
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