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Jonah Siegel

AP Language Arts and Composition


DREAM DEFERRED LANGSTON  HUGHES

 HARLEM RENAISSANCE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

 SOCIAL LANDSCAPE SOCIAL LANDSCAPE

 THE GREAT MIGRATION THE GREAT MIGRATION

 IMPACT OF WORLD WAR I IMPACT OF WORLD WAR I

 CULTURAL RESURGENCE AND ACTIVISM CULTURAL RESURGENCE AND ACTIVISM

 LITERARY EXPRESSION LITERARY EXPRESSION

 HARLEM RENAISSANCE HARLEM RENAISSANCE

 SOCIAL LANDSCAPE SOCIAL LANDSCAPE

 THE GREAT MIGRATION THE GREAT MIGRATION

 IMPACT OF WORLD WAR I IMPACT OF WORLD WAR I

 CULTURAL RESURGENCE AND ACTIVISM CULTURAL RESURGENCE AND ACTIVISM

 LITERARY EXPRESSION LITERARY EXPRESSION

CONTEXT


01.
THE HARLEM RENAISSANCE (1920S-1930S)


 * Celebrated African American culture in literature, music, art
 * Harlem, NYC was a hub for Black creativity, identity expression




02.
SOCIAL LANDSCAPE


 * Racial segregation, discrimination rampant
 * Limited opportunities in education, employment, civil rights


03.
THE GREAT MIGRATION


 * Massive movement from South to urban North for better opportunities
 * Cultural influence on Harlem's artistic expressions




04.
IMPACT OF WORLD WAR I


 * Returning African American soldiers faced racial hostility
 * Struggles for recognition and rights intensified


05.
CULTURAL RESURGENCE AND ACTIVISM


 * Intellectuals, artists, activists challenged racial stereotypes
 * Advocated for equality, celebrated Black identity




06.
LITERARY EXPRESSION


 * Hughes and others used poetry to explore American experiences
 * Addressed societal issues, advocated for change

 BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

 HARLEM RENAISSANCE AND EARLY CAREER HARLEM RENAISSANCE AND EARLY CAREER

 LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND TRAVELS LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND TRAVELS

 ACTIVISM AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVISM AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

 LATER LIFE AND LEGACY LATER LIFE AND LEGACY

 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

 BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE

 HARLEM RENAISSANCE AND EARLY CAREER HARLEM RENAISSANCE AND EARLY CAREER

 LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND TRAVELS LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND TRAVELS

 ACTIVISM AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT ACTIVISM AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

 LATER LIFE AND LEGACY LATER LIFE AND LEGACY

 IMPACT AND INFLUENCE IMPACT AND INFLUENCE

BIOGRAPHY


01.
BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE (1902-1920S)


 * Born on February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri, to Carrie Langston Hughes and
   James Nathaniel Hughes
 * Parents separated soon after his birth; he was raised by his grandmother in
   Lawrence, Kansas
 * Encountered discrimination and segregation, influencing his later works
 * Attended Columbia University but left due to prejudice and a lack of interest
   in his studies




02.
HARLEM RENAISSANCE AND EARLY CAREER (1920S-1930S)


 * Moved to Harlem in 1921, becoming a central figure in the Harlem Renaissance
 * Published his first poem, "The Negro Speaks of Rivers," in Crisis magazine in
   1921
 * Gained recognition for his poetry, essays, and plays that celebrated Black
   culture and addressed social issues
 * "The Weary Blues" (1926) marked his debut collection, winning critical
   acclaim.


03.
LITERARY CONTRIBUTIONS AND TRAVELS (1930S-1940S)


 * Wrote prolifically, publishing poetry, novels, short stories, essays, and
   plays
 * Traveled extensively, including to Africa and Europe, experiencing different
   cultures
 * Notable works: "Not Without Laughter" (1930), "The Big Sea" (1940), "Let
   America Be America Again" (1935), and "Montage of a Dream Deferred" (1951)




04.
ACTIVISM AND SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT (1950S-1960S)


 * Actively involved in civil rights causes, supporting desegregation
   and equality
 * Criticized for his leftist political views during the McCarthy era
 * His poem "A Dream Deferred" became a symbol of the African American struggle
   for equality


05.
LATER LIFE AND LEGACY (1970S-2000)


 * Continued to write and lecture, receiving numerous awards and honors
 * Passed away on May 22, 1967, in New York City due to complications from
   prostate cancer
 * After his passing away, he received significant recognition for his numerous
   contributions to American literature and civil rights




06.
IMPACT AND INFLUENCE


 * Regarded as a trailblazer in African American literature, his works explored
   themes of identity, race, and the American experience
 * Known for his innovative use of language, jazz rhythms, and authentic
   portrayal of African American life
 * His legacy endures through his writings, which continue to inspire and
   resonate with readers worldwide

 WHAT HAPPENS TO A DREAM DEFERRED? WHAT HAPPENS TO A DREAM DEFERRED?

 DOES IT DRY UP LIKE A RAISIN IN THE SUN? DOES IT DRY UP LIKE A RAISIN IN THE
SUN?

 OR FESTER LIKE A SORE—AND THEN RUN? OR FESTER LIKE A SORE—AND THEN RUN?

 DOES IT STINK LIKE ROTTEN MEAT? DOES IT STINK LIKE ROTTEN MEAT?

 OR CRUST AND SUGAR OVER—LIKE A SYRUPY SWEET? OR CRUST AND SUGAR OVER—LIKE A
SYRUPY SWEET?

 MAYBE IT JUST SAGS LIKE A HEAVY LOAD. MAYBE IT JUST SAGS LIKE A HEAVY LOAD.

 WHAT HAPPENS TO A DREAM DEFERRED? WHAT HAPPENS TO A DREAM DEFERRED?

 DOES IT DRY UP LIKE A RAISIN IN THE SUN? DOES IT DRY UP LIKE A RAISIN IN THE
SUN?

 OR FESTER LIKE A SORE—AND THEN RUN? OR FESTER LIKE A SORE—AND THEN RUN?

 DOES IT STINK LIKE ROTTEN MEAT? DOES IT STINK LIKE ROTTEN MEAT?

 OR CRUST AND SUGAR OVER—LIKE A SYRUPY SWEET? OR CRUST AND SUGAR OVER—LIKE A
SYRUPY SWEET?

 MAYBE IT JUST SAGS LIKE A HEAVY LOAD. MAYBE IT JUST SAGS LIKE A HEAVY LOAD.

POEM


DREAM DEFERRED

Langston Hughes

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?



EXIGENCE

Social injustice, racial inequality, and the African American experience in a
segregated society.


SPEAKER

The collective voice of African Americans.


AUDIENCE

Society at large, especially those facing racial discrimination.


MESSAGE

Delaying or suppressing dreams will lead to discomfort and, at some point, an
explosive end.


PURPOSE

To explore deferred dreams' emotional toll and societal limitations.


POEM TYPE

This is a free verse poem.

> What happens to a dream deferred?

This question establishes the thematic tone of the poem. What is the fate of a
dream left unfulfilled or postponed?

> Does it dry up
> like a raisin in the sun?

A deferred dream might endure a drying and withering process that diminishes its
life and potential.

> Or fester like a sore—
> And then run?

Deferred dreams could become a source of irritation from suppressed
frustrations.

> Does it stink like rotten meat?

Deferred dreams could turn repugnant, symbolizing the deterioration of hopes
left unfulfilled.

> Or crust and sugar over—
> like a syrupy sweet?

Deferred dreams could stagnate and bitterness would be hidden by "crust" and
"sugar." The segregation in society would widen.

> Maybe it just sags
> like a heavy load.

Deferred dreams might weigh heavily on a person, causing a burden and leading to
a sense of weariness.

> Or does it explode?

This line introduces the possibility of a sudden, dramatic release of pent-up
frustrations. The word "explode" suggests that deferring dreams could lead to a
violent outcome.


SIMILE


 1. It might lose motivation and significance over time.
 2. It might become a growing source of irritation. The longer the dream is
    deferred, the more detrimental it is to the person.
 3. It might become repugnant if untreated.
 4. It might mask its bitterness underneath an attractive surface.


METAPHOR


 1. The dream's odor symbolizes the negative or unpleasant consequences that
    might arise from neglecting or postponing one's aspirations.
 2. Compares a deferred dream to something that blows up, suggesting that it
    might lead to a sudden and violent outcome.


SYMBOL


 1. Dreams deferred symbolize the hopes and aspirations of African Americans
    within a society marked by racial discrimination.
 2. The word "explode" symbolizes the sudden and violent outcome of deferring
    dreams. It served as a threat to White people if they continued to suppress
    the dreams of African Americans.


HYPERBOLE


The "odor" of a deferred dream is an exaggeration beyond reality, emphasizing
the intense negative consequences that might result from a deferred dream.


METONYMY


 1. The deferred dreams represent the larger struggles, hopes, and experiences
    of African Americans facing societal barriers.


PERSONIFICATION


 1. The deferred dream sagging suggests a sense of weariness.


RHYME SCHEME


 1. The rhyme scheme is A BCDCEFE GH H.
 2. The rhymes appear increasingly closer together until the explosive end,
    showing rising tensions.


ASSONANCE &
INTERNAL RHYME


 1. The shared "i" connects the dried up item to the cause, calling attention
    not just to the dried up dream, but also what caused it to be this way.
 2. The duration of "ô" and the distance between them signify the prolonged
    irritation of deferred dreams (and sores).


CONSONANCE


 1. The string of "n" sounds represents the motion of the sore running.
 2. The respectively shared "r", "t", "r", and "d" of the separate ideas marks
    their distinct identities.


DISSONANCE


 1. The dissonance of "k" and "t" sounds show the unpleasantness of the odor,
    meat, and consequence of deferring the dream.
 2. The dissonant "k" and "t", creates a stark contrast between the seemingly
    appealing surface and the bitterness underneath.


ALLITERATION


 1. The repeated "d" couples the words together, because up until that point,
    the dream had always been deferred.


REPETITION


 1. The repeated "Does it" and "Or" shows the speaker's seeming uncertainty
    about the fate of a deferred dream.


ONOMATOPOEIA


 1. Explosions can make a distinct airy "p" sound.