Langston Hughes By : Micah Lessnick, David Guistolise, Abdulla
Dreams by Langston Hughes Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow
Analysis of poem "Dreams" is an very short poem. .( Biography.com) Langston Hughes uses bird as a symbol of discrimination and struggles that African Americans face during 1960’s.( Biography.com) Hughes implies that a life without hope is barren and sad. ( Biography.com)
Literary devices Simile Rhyme Metaphor
Harlem 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?
Type of poem Harlem is an exploratory, inquisitive poem. Each line poses a question without any answers provided. The poem has the rhyme scheme of ABA, CDC, EFE, GHG, etc… which lends to helping the reader remember the questions it asks.
Speaker/mood/tone of poem This poem is exploratory in nature, questioning the behavior of “Dreams deferred”, or dreams the speaker has ignored for the current moment in time. Its inquisitive tone is used to help the readers develop existential answers to the existential questions posed within the text of the poem.
Literary Devices Rhyme: Every other line rhymes (ABA, CDC, EFE, etc…) Simile: “Dreams Deferred” is compared, using like, to decay, rot, and staleness. Alliteration: “syrupy sweet” is not a normal sentence, showing it being directly written as an alliteration.
questions What other literary devices do you see? What connotations does this poem have about Langston Hughes life. What parallels can you find between “Dreams” and “Harlem”? How do you relate to this poem? Does this inspire you to further pursue your dreams?
Early life James Mercer Langston Hughes was born February 1, 1902 in Joplin Missouri.( Biography.com) His parents, James Hughes and Carrie Langston, separated soon after his birth. .( Biography.com) Hughes was raised primarily by his maternal grandmother, Mary.( Biography.com)
Poetry inspired by life Langston Hughes had very sad childhood (“poet Langston Hughes”). Poetry was part of his life (“Langston Hughes”). His dreams were expressed by poems he wrote (“Langston Hughes”). He want equality for everyone who live in America.
career of Langston Hughes He was an American poet, social activist, novelist, playwright, and columnist.( Biography.com) He was also one of the founders of jazz poetry.( Biography.com)
honors Harmon Gold Medal for Literature (1930) Guggenheim Fellowship (1935) (Langston Hughes Awards). Honorary Doctor of Letters, Lincoln University (1943) NAACP Spingarn Medal (1960) (Langston Hughes Awards). American Academy of Arts and Letters (1961) (Langston Hughes Awards).
Knowing about his life, does this change why you think Langston Hughes wrote poetry? If you had to write a poem, what would the subject of the poem be? How is Langston Hughes’ life similar and different from your own life?
Work cited “Langston Hughes.” A&E Networks Television, 27 Jan. 2015, www.biography.com/people/langston-hughes-9346313. 27 Feb. 2017. “poet Langston Hughes.” Academy of American Poets. www.poets.org/poetsorg/langston- hughes. 28 Feb. 2017. “Langston Hughes Awards.” Shmoop University. 2017. http://www.shmoop.com/langston- hughes/awards.html. 28 Feb. 2017.