Question

In order to participate in this discussion, please refer to "Poetry Explications" Links to an external site. from the UNC Chapel Hill and the poem "Harlem (A Dream Deferred)" by Langston Hughes Links to an external site.. Read and annotate the poem, consider both its overall meaning, and how individual poetic elements contribute to this meaning.

What to Post:

First, explain the overall meaning of this poem in a single sentence.
Then, choose one of the following three sections from "Poetry Explications" from UNC to focus on: "the large issues," "the details," or "the patterns."
Within the section you choose, pick one subpoint to focus on. For instance, if you pick "the details," you might focus on "syntax" in your response.
Explicate the poem, focusing on whatever subpoint you've chosen. Be sure to quote lines or words to help prove your points. Also, use poetry explication vocabulary, like stanza, line, metaphor, etc. when discussing the poem.
Include a question for your peers at the end of the post.
Respond to at least two peers.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Overall Meaning: The poem "Harlem (A Dream Deferred)" by Langston Hughes speaks of the collective frustration felt by African Americans when their hopes and dreams are continuously deferred.

I will focus on "the details" and the subpoint "imagery." The poem is full of imagery that works to convey the emotion of disappointment and frustration. For example, Hughes uses the metaphor of a "raisin in the sun" to describe the deferred dream (line 5). This metaphor effectively conveys the idea of something that was once full of life and potential, now dried up, wilted, and deflated. Additionally, Hughes uses the imagery of a "heavy load" (line 9) to describe the burden of a deferred dream, as well as the imagery of a "syrupy sweet" and "sour" (line 11) to describe the mixture of emotions and feelings associated with a deferred dream. All of these images work together to create a powerful poem that speaks to the collective experience of African Americans in the face of deferred dreams.

Question: How do the images used in this poem create a sense of urgency and call to action?

What impact does Hughes' use of imagery have on the overall meaning of the poem?