A Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes

The only major shift that occurs in Dreams Deferred, happens on the last line of the poem. Hughes compares dreams to other things using similes. These similes are not instantaneous, they happen and worsen over time. i.e(Does it dry up/like a raisin in the sun?/Or fester like a sore). But on the last line, he compares dreams deferring to something that doesn’t need time. An

The short story Volar by Judith Ortiz Cofer, and the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes share a common theme which is the elusive American dream, thus, compared to a pot of gold for migrants. There are several ideas that pertain to elusive American dream of both the short story and the poem. First, in Volar, a family migrated from Puerto Rico to New Jersey to seek opportunities and better life conditions. Similarly, in Harlem, it speaks about African-Americans who migrated from the South to the North for better working conditions. Secondly, in Volar, the reality of how hard to attain the American dream is evident as the story described the living conditions in their tiny apartment. In a like manner, the poem Harlem expresses the devastation in the truth that American dream of African-Americans is unattainable. Lastly, both the short story and the poem have a message of hardship contrary to their expectations once settled in the place of what they thought to be the end of the rainbow.

The theme in “open letter to the South” by Langston Hughes is centered on racism and segregation. During the time the poem was written, everyone was separated by race and everyone focused on his or her own benefits. However, Hughes suggests that the working class (black and whites) were in the same situation and that they could accomplish great things if they worked together “In union lies our strength.” (Hughes 663) The author uses a lot of symbolism, for example when he says “let us became instead, you and I, one single hand” (Hughes 663) is referring to the union that hands together represent, they as workers needed to support each other to make things easier for them. As humans, we are selfish by nature and a lot of times we forget about

Langston Hughes was a poet with many artistic abilities. His writing and drawings established the lifestyles of many African Americans during this time. In a poem called “I, Too” Hughes express his feelings as an African American, a brother, and someone who deserves to fit in society. He states “I, too sing America” (1039). Hughes saw himself as an individual who has a voice in America even though his skin is a little darker. In a poem called “Democracy” Hughes states: “I have as much right as the other fellow has to stand on my own two feet and own the land” (1043). Hughes was speaking for every African American whom were still dealing with segregation, racism, and freedom.

Compared to Langston Hughes, how are e.e. cummings’s thoughts about dreams different? Langston Hughes and e.e. cumming’s both wrote a powerful poem about dreams, although they both have the same topic they appear to be different in meaning. I believe that in Hughes poem he was addressing that dreams are what makes you who you are, however in cummings poem it seemed like dreams allow you to be who you want to be. Langston Hughes wrote the poem, Dreams, to tell the reader to hold onto your dreams, even when things in life can get hard, because without them, your life would be incomplete. e.e. cummings’s poem, Dive for Dreams, has a different approach. This piece of poetry is a way to get the reader motivated, to inspire them, and give them

The American Dream rejoices with the stories that begin with humble beginnings and end with prosperity and success; the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass is a story of upward social success and increased affluence and freedom. Douglass narrates his own life and tells of his failures, thoughts, and accomplishments over the span of his life. He began his life at the bottom of society as a slave. Through hard work, an insatiable thirst for knowledge, and the ability to maintain and fight for his beliefs, Frederick Douglass attained the goal of the American Dream and eventually became a free man. Douglass’s transition from uneducated slave to free citizen was slow, and began when he would pay children in his neighborhood with bread to learn how to read. As a child Douglass recognized the value of education and would sacrifice so much to be able to learn to read, in part to spite his slave owners. With this foundation, he knew he could become accomplished. He used his self-taught education to encourage other slaves to learn and become literate. This foundation and bank of knowledge allowed Douglass to escape from slavery and become a free man. The early scenes in Douglass’s life prove to influence and encourage his success throughout his lifetime, which, in turn, provides further support of the value of the American Dream.

The renowned poet Langston Hughes grew up at a time prior to the Civil Rights era; a time where discrimination and prejudice were prominent parts of society. After traveling from city to city for a couple of years, he settled in Harlem at a time when the African-American artistic movement that celebrated black life and culture was under way: a.k.a the Harlem Renaissance. It was then that he put his experiences of his childhood into a skillfully written poem, “Let America be America Again”, which epitomizes not only the discrimination and inequality he faced while growing up, but the difficulties faced for all minorities seeking the “American dream. ”As the title suggests, the poem urges people to fix America’s problems, from its eminent discrimination

The novel Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck, "A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes and "Hope" by Karen Hesse are three bodies of writing that share many similarities in how they use rhetoric to develop overarching themes. First, "A Dream Deferred" uses personification to get it's theme across. It states "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore—And then run?"

The Harlem Renaissance was an evolutionary period in terms of African-American cultural expression; in fact, the movement changed the way that black musicians, poets, authors, and even ordinary people perceived themselves. One of the most influential poets of the time was Langston Hughes. Hughes’ works display a pride in being black that most African-Americans are too afraid to show, even today. Moreover, he adamantly refused to submit to the sentiment that he should be ashamed of his heritage, instead believing that “no great poet has ever been afraid of being himself.”(p1990 From the Negro Artist). In the article “‘Don’t Turn Back’: Langston Hughes, Barack Obama, and Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Jason Miller, Miller analyzes how Hughes’ poetry has been used by Martin Luther King, Jr. and Barack Obama and how the House of Un-american Activities Committee affected that use.

Langston Hughes had a strong belief in writing and sharing what he believed no matter what anyone thought about him. His work during the Harlem Renaissance and his view of the struggles of colored and minorities in the United States influenced his work. In many of his writings, it is clear that Hughes has anger towards this ideal America. He writes in his counterstatement to a fellow African American poet, “An artist must be free to choose what he does, certainly, but he must also never be afraid to do what he might choose.” The expectations and idea of being a white privilege American and chasing after the American dream is something that Hughes feels strongly about. He feels that no one should have to change who they are to be something that society accepts. The theme that he carries in his work is clear, the American dream is anyone’s if they pursue it, but the colored people and minorities are incapable of pursuing such a dream because of this society that we are

The epigraphy by Langston Hughes describes how dreams change after they had been put off. When dreams fail, it affects each person differently. The person may just give up on the dream completely, find a new way to reach the dream, change the situation so it may not be the dream but something similar, or it can destroy other dreams too. The Youngers were an African American family who lived on the south side of Chicago and barely scraped by with Walter’s job as a limousine driver. They all eagerly waited for the insurance money, produced after Walter’s dad passed away, to make their dreams come true. But when the check arrived, Walter gave most of the money to Willy Harris, a business partner, who ran off with the money when it was supposed to be invested in a liquor store.

In the fight for equality, people of color often feel isolated and separated from those whose privilege reinforces their oppression. However, there are and always have been white people who see the inequalities that are practiced in society and speak out against them in hopes of reaching equality for all. Langston Hughes used his voice in poetry to express his experience as a black man in the United States during the Civil Rights Movement, and his is a household name. There is no doubt that his words have power. The reader expects to feel his experience and gain empathy and understanding through his poetry. In his poem, “Let America Be America Again,” Hughes presents his experience of American life in a powerful contrast to the experience

Not all poems fall into the category of epic poetry or ballads. Some pieces are short and concise rather than lengthy and elegant. A shorter poem may focus more thoroughly on diction, or the author’s specific choice of words, rather than things such as rhyme scheme or meter. Langston Hughes poem “Suicide’s Note” is a perfect example of this. Because it is only twelve words long, every single word is important and chosen carefully. This poem uses many literary techniques, none more than diction, to achieve its purpose. which is to focus on the split-second decision that is suicide.

After poetry is written, published, and circulated, analysis of the poem must take place. It unveils and discusses the themes, figures of speech, word placement, and flow of the piece, and "A Dream Deferred," is no exception. In Langston Hughes's poem, A Dream Deferred, the theme is that no really knows to dreams if they are not reached, and very realistic figures of speech help convey this idea; the poem can be surprisingly related to Mr. Hughes's life through the subtitle and quotes from Langston himself.

A dream is a goal in life, not just dreams experienced during sleep. Most people use their dreams as a way of setting future goals for themselves. Dreams can help to assist people in getting further in life because it becomes a personal accomplishment. Langston Hughes's poem "Dream Deferred" is speaks about what happens to dreams when they are put on hold. The poem leaves it up to the reader to decide what dream is being questioned.