Metaphorical Exploration of Deferred Dreams

Hughes continues to build upon his metaphorical exploration of deferred dreams with additional powerful imagery:

4. "Or crust and sugar over- Like a syrupy sweet?"

   • Compares a deferred dream to a wound covered by a crust
   • Suggests that dreams may be temporarily masked but remain unresolved

5. "Maybe it just sags / Like a heavy load."

   • Likens the weight of unfulfilled dreams to a physical burden
   • Implies that carrying unrealized aspirations can be exhausting and demoralizing

6. "Or does it explode?"

   • Presents the possibility of a violent outburst as a result of pent-up frustration
   • Hints at potential social unrest when dreams are consistently denied

Vocabulary: Deferred - put off or postponed to a later time

Example: The metaphor of a dream sagging "like a heavy load" can be related to the experience of carrying a backpack filled with heavy books all day, illustrating the constant strain of unfulfilled aspirations.

The poem's structure, with its series of questions and vivid imagery, creates a sense of mounting tension. This reflects the growing frustration and potential for action when dreams are continually deferred.

Definition: Metaphor - a figure of speech that makes a comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as"

A Raisin in the Sun: Analyzing "Harlem" by Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes, a prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance, crafted the poem "Harlem" to explore the consequences of deferred dreams. The poem's central question, "What happens to a dream deferred?", is answered through a series of vivid metaphors that illustrate the emotional and psychological impact of unrealized aspirations.

Key metaphors in the poem include:

1. "Does it dry up / Like a raisin in the sun?"

   • Compares a deferred dream to a grape drying into a raisin
   • Suggests dreams may lose their vitality and shrink over time

2. "Or fester like a sore - And then run?"

   • Likens unfulfilled dreams to an infected wound
   • Implies that neglected dreams can become increasingly painful

3. "Does it stink like rotten meat?"

   • Equates deferred dreams with a repulsive odor
   • Indicates that unfulfilled aspirations can leave a lasting, unpleasant impact

Highlight: Hughes uses sensory imagery to evoke strong emotional responses, making the abstract concept of deferred dreams tangible and relatable.

Quote: "What happens to a dream deferred?" This central question sets the tone for the entire poem, prompting readers to reflect on their own experiences with unfulfilled aspirations.