Metaphors In Dreams By Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes’ poetry frequently cites the “American Dream” from the perspective of those who were disenfranchised in American, such as the Native Americans, African Americans, poor farmers, and oppressed immigrants. The American Dream was defined by James Truslow Adams as, “life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement” (Langston Hughes). Hughes’ poetry portrays the glories of equality, liberty, and the “American Dream” as the disenfranchised were trapped beneath oppression, poverty, and prejudice. Whose dreams are smothered and buried in a life characterized by the anguish of survival.

Langston Hughes (1902-1967) is regarded today as one of the most influential Black writers in American history. Pulling inspiration from the genres of blues and jazz, the works of Walt Whitman and Carl Sandburg, and his own life experiences, Hughes’ writing is both classic and innovative (Anon., 1997). Having been an integral part of the Harlem Renaissance, much of his work was centered around the strife and inequality faced by African Americans at the time. Although he explored a wide range of themes in his writing, the concept of the “American Dream” created the foundation for much of his work. As a black man, Hughes knew that he would never experience the proverbial “American Dream” of freedom and

ANALYSIS Langston Hughes is a poet who writes two poems “Dream `Deferred” and “Dreams” are similar and different in a way. “A Dream Deferred” it talks about what happen to dreams when they are put on hold. “Dreams” gives the idea that without dreams, life is nothing. This two poems are giving some deep meaning in similarity but the lesson teach in different.

He conveys unity within his text when he indicates in his text, “Land created in common, dream nourished in common...” (Hughes Stanza 2). Incorporation Langston Hughes conveys that people must secure the main dream, which gives ambition to reach their dream. Hughes also states, “The people do not always say things out loud, Nor write them down on paper … Great thoughts in their deepest hearts and sometimes only blunderingly to express them” (Hughes stanza 1). People do not take not of their dreams only because they do not fathom their thoughts or dreams. The human mind will not grasp their dream until it really appears or happens. In conclusion Langston Hughes also includes the illustration of perseverance which is also obtained through unity of

The short but inspirational poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes addresses what happens to aspirations that are postponed or lost. The brief, mind provoking questions posed throughout the poem allow the readers to reflect--on the effects of delaying our dreams. In addition, the questions give indications about Hughes' views on deferred dreams.

This poem by Langston Hughes is a very complicated. In it the speaker paints a picture of what might happen to someone’s dream if it is postponed too long. This idea is the overall theme of the poem and it is what unifies and connects each line to the poem as a whole. There are also indirect references that this is not only the dream of an individual, but an entire race’s struggle to achieve peace and liberation. This poem consists of a series of answers to the question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” All of the lines following this first question are presented as different similes.

During the Harlem Renaissance, many African Americans were giving up on their dreams of equality due to rejection. However, Langston Hughes poem A Dream Deferred questions what happens to a dream that is deferred. In the poem, Hughes expresses his anxiety over his deferred dreams. The poet mentions how his dreams perished in six theoretical ways, all which are harmful to the dreamer. Langston Hughes used figurative language to explain how a neglected dream affects the

In our journey through life, we all have certain expectations of how we would like our lives to be. All of us strive to reach a certain level of self-actulization and acceptance. It could thus be said that all of us live a dream. Some of these individual dreams inevitably become the collective dream of many people. In "Harlem (A Dream Deferred)", Langston Hughes makes use of symbolism as well as powerful sensory imagery to show us the emotions that he and his people go through in their quest for freedom and equality. By using questions he builds the poem towards an exciting climax.

An Explication of Langton Hughes “Harlem (Dream Deferred)” Dreams are amazing things, and we can talk about them as long as we could remember them, but are dreams nothing but dreams if there never pursued? In "Harlem," the speaker discusses the darker side of an idea. Some people work hard to accomplish their dreams while others put their dreams on hold due to various circumstances in their lives. He wonders what happens when that dream or idea are ignored or "deferred." The result is not too pretty.

When writing a poem, the author always makes an effective use of figurative language. According to Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, figurative language “enables writers to amplify their ideas while still employing relatively small numbers of words” (Roberts and Zweig, 639). Author Langston Hughes made his poems more interesting and dramatic by using figurative language. One type of figures of speech that he used is a simile. As stated in Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing, a simile is a “showing of likeness or resemblance” (Roberts and Zweig 640). In the poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” Langston Hughes used a simile to describe the rivers and human soul. For example, in the poem the writer stated that “My

Nowadays hopes and dreams give us something to look forward too. Langston Hughes, Emily Dickinson, and Gwendolyn Brooks each discuss the compelling nature of hopes in their poems. These authors tend to link up hope with the quality of our lives. Each writes uniquely about hope's struggle and perseverance also they agree upon the general idea that no matter how small our hope, it has the ability to help us progress through the less than beautiful parts of our lives. In the poem "Dreams" by Langston Hughes, the authors theme seems to be that dreams are a very important component of our life.

In Langston Hughes’ “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” used rivers to describe African American people and I agree he described them to be equal, using metaphors, similes, and allusions. Langston Hughes wrote this poem in 1921 when racial issues between Caucasian and African American people were a significant problem. The poem is written in “free verse” and uses anaphora to give the reader the effect that he is the one telling the poem. The poem gives the reader the understanding that African American people have been around for as long as Caucasian people and are equally intelligent. The rivers give us a great meaning to the history of African American people and the narrator has known their struggle. There is a feeling of death towards the end of the poem. This gives the reader the impression that we are still struggling to be equal and it has withered him until his death.

Dreams are hopes that people hope to accomplish in their lifetime. When trying to achieve these goals, people are willing to do anything. But, what happens when a dream is deferred? A dream pushed aside can disappoint a person in the deepest way. It is likely to spread throughout their thoughts and becomes a burden. In the poem “Harlem,” Langston Hughes, through literary devices, introduce a strong theme through a short amount of language Hughes is asking what happens to a dream that is being put off.

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.

From day to day life, many face challenges that seem impossible to surpass. Langston Hughes´s was a famous African-American poet who used poetic devices to portray meaningful messages to his readers. He lived in a time of discrimination, racial oppression, and where blacks lived under white supremacy. His background can is seen through this poem. By looking at ¨As I Grew Older¨ by Langston Hughes, one can see through the use of metaphors, symbolism, and personification how challenges can keep one from their dreams, which is important because dreams are the foundation for one’s future happiness.