Question

HELP PLZ 25 POINTS!

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?

5. What is the overall tone of lines 8-10 in your opinion? What tone, do you suppose, Hughes was trying to convey? Explain your thinking.

6. After reading the poem, does the title make sense? Do you feel it was a clue for the audience? How would the poem have been different if the title was not there?

7. What type of figurative language does Hughes use in this poem? Give one example from the poem and describe what type of figurative language he uses.

Answer 1

The tone of lines 8-10 in the poem is somber and contemplative, indicating the burden of deferred dreams. The title 'What Happens to a Dream Deferred?' effectively introduces and frames the theme of the poem, while Hughes uses simile and metaphor as figurative language, with the comparison to a 'raisin in the sun' being one such example.

Step-by-step explanation:

Tone of Lines 8-10

The overall tone of lines 8-10 can be described as somber and contemplative. Langston Hughes seems to be conveying the heaviness and the burden of a dream that has not been realized. The metaphor of a 'heavy load' suggests weariness and a sense of being weighed down, prompting the reader to reflect on the emotional toll of deferred dreams.

Title and its Influence

After reading the poem, the title 'What Happens to a Dream Deferred?' indeed makes sense and acts as a crucial clue for the audience. It sets up expectations for a contemplation on the consequences of postponed dreams. Without the title, readers might not have the same immediate focus on the central theme of unrealized aspirations.

Figurative Language in the Poem

Langston Hughes uses various types of figurative language throughout the poem, including simile and metaphor. One example of this is the line 'Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?', which employs a simile to compare a deferred dream to a raisin drying up, signifying loss of vitality and potential.

Answer 2

it sounds sad and no the title does not make sense