Dream Deferred Essay, Research Paper
Dream Deferred is a stimulating poem that addresses the possible consequences that could result from deferring a dream. The author explores what might happen through highly effective visual similes and metaphors. The importance of this short poem relates to the time it was written (1951) and the ethnic background of the author (African-American). A dream is synonymous to hope, desire, goal and fantasy–something that all African-Americans in 1951 had.
The speaker is the author himself and he addresses everyone. He describes a state of mind, exposing it through poetry. The author wants the reader to consider what feelings might result if a dream doesn t manifest, or if physical manifestation of a dream is delayed. These feelings could be even more significant if related to the hopes and dreams of the black community–a segment of the population whose dreams have been deferred since their ancestors were forced entrance into this country.
The poem consists of eleven lines, most of which culminate in questions. Since there are no definite answers provided as a response to these questions in the prose, the reader is stimulated to think about each possibility beginning with consideration of the powerful visceral imagery, then discovering behind each metaphor the way a dream deferred might overrun or affect all areas of one s life.
Several responses are given to the initial question: What happens to a dream deferred? (1), by introducing vivid similes and metaphors. Does it dry up (2), Like a raisin in the sun? (3)–perhaps describing how a dream becomes a mere remnant of itself when not put into action. Or fester like a sore– (4), And then run? ,–as pus would run from an infected sore to other parts of the body, so might the haunting of a deferred dream affect other parts of our psyche. Does it stink like rotten meat? (6),–reference to the regret and a sense of failure which might linger throughout life, as the stench of rotten meat would linger throughout a household. Or crust and sugar over– (7), like a syrupy sweet? ,–more hope is shown in this passage, to reflect a dream that has been deferred but could still be pursued and achieve if desired, although it would take some effort to get through the crust developed.
Maybe it just sags (9); like a heavy load. (10)–These are the most moving lines, written as statements, perhaps to hint at what most people would do with their deferred dreams. This would represent a burden that would sink to the depths of our spirit and be carried for life. Or does it explode? (11)–the most nebulous, yet most powerful question. What is it ? And what exactly does explode mean? The reader is left thinking of the frustrations that must be felt when a dream is deferred. It is the punch-line which turns this poem into a political statement.
In reality, a deferred dream can explode in anger and violence if not realized. Examples of these explosions are the 1960 s Watts Riots and the 1990 Los Angeles Riots. This short poem tastefully displays the disappointed feeling of a poet, who exposes deferred dreams as the reason for societal frustrations. Almost everything we have achieved individually or as a society was once a dream. Whenever things don t go as we want them to go, we can label them as deferred dreams, but every time the select few defer the rights and dreams of minorities we can label it social injustice.
Другие работы по теме:
A Rasin In The Sun Essay Research
Paper A Raisin in the Sun, a drama written by Lorraine Hansberry came onto the theater scene in 1959. The title is from Langston Hughes poem “ A Dream Deferred” when it asks what happen to a dream that is deferred. The drama tells of a lower class black family’s struggle.
Great Gatsby Essay Research Paper The Great 2
Great Gatsby Essay, Research Paper The Great, Great Gatsby Experience The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is about the American Dream, and the downfall of those who attempt to reach its illusionary goals. The attempt to capture the American Dream is central to many novels. This dream is different for different people, but in The Great Gatsby, for Jay, the dream is that through wealth and power, one can acquire happiness.
Gatsby 17 Essay Research Paper The
Gatsby 17 Essay, Research Paper The American Dream in The Great Gatsby F. Scott Fitzgerald sees the “American Dream” as something corrupt, and not easy to achieve. The “American Dream” is made up of a long social ladder, and it is often impossible to be accepted at the top of this social ladder. In The Great Gatsby Fitzgerald portrays Gatsby as a good example of the “American Dream.
Midsummer Night
’s Dream:Analysing Puck Essay, Research Paper Considered one of Shakespeare’s best plays, “A midsummer’s nights Dream” reads more like a very intense dream as it entices you
Great Gatsby Themes Essay Research Paper The
Great Gatsby Themes Essay, Research Paper The Great Gatsby, a novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, has a central theme about the American Dream, and the downfall of those who attempt to reach its illusionary goals. The attempt to capture the American Dream is central to many novels. This dream is different for different people on the way they seek them, but in The Great Gatsby, for Jay, the dream is that through wealth, popularity and power.
Shattering The Darkness Essay Research Paper SHATTERING
Shattering The Darkness Essay, Research Paper SHATTERING THE DARKNESS In the poem “As I Grew Older ” by Langston Hughes, a young man is thinking about his goals and that he cannot achieve them because of racial prejudice. The theme of the poem is that prejudice is used to keep people from accomplishing their dreams.
Dream Deffered Essay Research Paper Dream DeferredHe
Dream Deffered Essay, Research Paper ?Dream Deferred? ?He knew as he stood there that he could never tell why he killed. It was not that he did not really want to tell, but the telling of it would have involved an explanation of his
DickinsonS And HugheS Poems Comparison Essay Research
Paper Emily Camberg Reading Poetry 124L Paper One 11/8/99 After reading both “Tell All the Truth but Tell It Slant” by Emily Dickinson and “Harlem” by Langston Hughes, I determined that the main difference between the two poems is both poets’ use of diction. Dickinson makes use of abstract diction in her poem, using words like bright, delight, superb, and dazzle.
The American Dream Essay Research Paper Americans
The American Dream Essay, Research Paper Americans have always had a universal dream ranging from marriage to freedom, and of course, money. Some Americans pursue them more diligently than others, while the others just sit and dream.
Struggling Dreams Essay Research Paper Several poems
Struggling Dreams Essay, Research Paper Several poems attempt to address social and political issues. In several of Langston Hughes?s poems, he expresses sociopolitical protests. He portrayed people whose lives were impacted by racism and sexual conflicts, he wrote about southern violence, Harlem street life, poverty, prejudice, hunger, hopelessness.
American Dream Essay Research Paper Listening to
American Dream Essay, Research Paper Listening to the panel discussion on the American Dream helped me to realize several things about past, current, and future generations. I found it interesting that a majority of the great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents worked in either a factory or a mill, or on a farm.
I Have A Dream (MLK) (A Speech
Summary) Essay, Research Paper On August 28, 1963 on the steps of Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., one of the most profound civil rights Leaders recited a speech for all to live by. Martin Luther King Jr. was the man who made history that day in 1963, with the world-renowned speech ?I have a Dream?.
Dreamer
’s Dream Essay, Research Paper You may cry and wipe your tears away, Bleed may you do till the end of days, You may see and dream the bay Of stones and shadows of sorrow today.
A Dream Deferred Essay Research Paper The
A Dream Deferred Essay, Research Paper The poetry of Langston Hughes, the poet laureate of Harlem, is an effective commentary on the condition of blacks in America during the 20th Century. Hughes places particular emphasis on Harlem, a black area in New York that became a destination of many hopeful blacks in the first half of the 1900нs.
Poem I Dream Essay Research Paper I
Poem: I Dream Essay, Research Paper I dream of a life that me and you will forever share Where we eventually call home, I really dont care I dream of a time when I will again be the one that you trust
Themes Of A Raisin In The Sun
Essay, Research Paper One major theme of the play, A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry, is the importance of dreams; they drive each member of the Younger family. Mama longs to have her own home in a nice part of town, away from South Chicago. Beneatha dreams of getting a good education, becoming a doctor, and marrying a nice man.
Gatsby Essay Research Paper English Outline Thesis
Gatsby Essay, Research Paper English Outline Thesis Statement: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck both portray the same views of the American dream in the struggles towards the dream, the protagonist?s determination to achieve the dream and the disappointment of failure to achieve the dream.
Raisin In The Sun Themes Essay Research
Paper Important themes in A Raisin in the Sun A Raisin in the Sun examines an African-American s family struggle to break out of the themes of poverty, dreams, racism, society, and various social themes that they are faced with. Lorraine Hansberry analyzes how race prejudice and economic insecurity affect a black mans role in his own family, his ability to provide, and his identity.
Freud Dream Theory Essay Research Paper Freud
Freud Dream Theory Essay, Research Paper Freud has many theories in to the incite of the human unconscious. One of these theories is the dream theory. Many annalist think that dreams are the connection to our in most secrets and desires. Freud is among these people in thinking that dreams are the center of our repressed desires.
Dreams Deferred Essay Research Paper Dreams DeferredThe
Dreams Deferred Essay, Research Paper Dreams Deferred The poem, A Dream Deferred, by Langston Hughes, accurately and descriptively portrays the attitudes of African American people during the mid 1900 s. Hughes expresses the possible responses of African Americans to their dreams being deferred by means of metaphors and similes.
Jack Kerouac Essay Research Paper The novel
Jack Kerouac Essay, Research Paper The novel On The Road written by Jack Kerouac is a book that can be read as a quest taken by Sal Paradise who sets out to test the American Dream by trying to pin down its promise of unlimited freedom by following the example of Dean Morairty. In the book ? the road? becomes a symbol of freedom or escape for Sal and his friends.
American Dream Essay Research Paper scribes the
American Dream Essay, Research Paper scribes the defeat of the American dream, and that the American ideals differ with the actual social conditions that exist in society. For the American constitutions stands for the freedom, and equality among people, but the truth of the matter is that social discrimination still exists and the grouping among the classes can never be overcome.
Dreams And Ambition Essay Research Paper I
Dreams And Ambition Essay, Research Paper I am sure everybody that still live in this world had their own ambition .For example, what is the dream of a fat ladies or men? Of
Dream Deferred Essay Research Paper The poem
Dream Deferred Essay, Research Paper The poem, “Dream Deferred”, which was written by Langston Hughes in 1951 , described the trials that minorities in that time period underwent. Hughes uses heavy symbolism and imagery in this poem. The dream he discussed in the poem was futile at the time of his writing of the poem.
A Dream Deferred Essay Research Paper
“A Dream Deferred” What happens to a dream deferred? (a) Does it dry up (b) like a raisin in the sun? (c) Or fester like a sore- (d) And then run? (c) Does it stink like rotten meat? (e)
American Dream Essay Research Paper American DreamShow
American Dream Essay, Research Paper American Dream Show how Willy Loman’s “American Dream” of success can be compared to at least three other works of literature we have read this semester and their main character’s interpretation of the “American Dream” of success. Mention specific examples to support your thesis.
My Dreams Essay Research Paper Dreams can
My Dreams Essay, Research Paper Dreams can be seen in many ways. A dream could be something you had in the night that seems so real, or a dream could be your fantasy, where everything is going your way. The last type of dream is something that has more of a deep sense and plays an important role in your life. The type the dream the Younger family had.
Poem Dreams Essay Research Paper dreams A
Poem: Dreams Essay, Research Paper dreams A dream is a dream, is a dream. So come with me to a place not so far away where a dream is a dream and skies aren’t so grey. A dream is a dream, is a dream. So come with me and fly away. So come with me and fly away to a place where there’s always a way, and no reason not to stay. So stay with me in this place tonight, I promise you I’ll hold you tight.
Psychology Dreams Essay Research Paper Dreams Dreams
Psychology: Dreams Essay, Research Paper Dreams Dreams, why do we dream. I thing we dream because we are thinking while we are sleeping and our brain puts those thought into a weird movie in our head. Some people think dreams are the keys to lifes problem. They say in your dreams there are symbolic things that mean something different.
Dreams Essay Research Paper Without dreams our
Dreams Essay, Research Paper Without dreams our lives would be empty. There is no person alive that isn t filled with dreams, goals and ideals. These things are a part of life and human nature. We all have the inbred desire for a good life. Dreams are vital to the life of every person. Without dreams, there is nothing to plan or look forward to; therefore, no reason to live.
A Dream Deferred Essay Research Paper A
A Dream Deferred Essay, Research Paper A Dream Deferred What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore And then run?
My American Dream Essay Research Paper My
My American Dream Essay, Research Paper My American Dream By Ben Warner “I have a dream.” Martin Luther King was a man with a dream, a man that would later die for that same dream. We all have dreams. No matter how small or how large, we all have them. What are my dreams? Well, my dreams run hand in hand with three of our five themes this year.
Dream Sight Essay Research Paper Dream SightIn
Dream Sight Essay, Research Paper Dream Sight In the novel, The Once and Future King, by T.H. White, the main character Lancelot had a dream when he was young. The thing about his dream, however, was that his entire life was spread metaphorically throughout the dream. It wasn’t exactly spelled out for the reader word for word, but it was given in symbols.
Dreams Essay Research Paper A dream is
Dreams Essay, Research Paper A dream is a dream, is a dream. So come with me to a place not so far away where a dream is a dream and skies aren?t so grey. A dream is a dream, is a dream.