Analysis Of A Dream Deferred By Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was an important figure in writing about the struggles of African Americans. His poems express vivid imagery that allows readers to understand the conflicts blacks went through during the 1900’s. In his poem, “A Dream Deferred”, Langston Hughes describes the attitudes of black Americans during times of struggle and limited rights. Blacks had dreams in the 1900’s such as economic, social, and educational equality, and other basic civil rights. Unfortunately, racism was a barrier that got in the way of achieving these goals. In his poem Langston Hughes chooses questions, and attempts to answers those questions by asking more. Hughes expresses the possible reaction of African Americans to their dreams being deferred or held back

With this said, he uses a simile that illustrates a hideous picture of a sore. The reader may think of his/her own personal experience with sores. A sore tends to build up to such an extent that it eventually just breaks open, releasing puss. The festering symbolizes the emotion, and frustration that has been building up from African Americans not being granted civil rights and succeeding economically, and socially. Hughes then compares the festering sore to rotten meat. "Does it stink like rotten meat?"(6). No one wants rotten meat, and it should be thrown away. Hughes implies a dream that is put on hold may not be worth it, and the feeling sucks like having some rotten

The poem uses vivid imagery, symbolism, similes, and metaphors to explain what happens to a dream that is postponed, and held back. Emotionally, reader’s gain an understanding of what happens to a dream deferred during times in the 1900’s, but they can also personally connect this poem to themselves. Hughes drive and motive for this poem was to describe the struggles of African Americans, but as a bigger picture, a dream being deferred can happen to