The Significance of ‘A Dream Deferred’ by Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was an iconic African-American poet, novelist, and playwright during the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s. His poem, ‘A Dream Deferred,’ is among his best-known works, and is widely studied in high school and college literature classes. The poem explores what happens when dreams are delayed but not forgotten or given up on.
The poem is written in a rhyming couplet form, with eight lines in total. It speaks to a deep-seated feeling of frustration, represented by shockingly explicit imagery. The main idea is that a dream can only be deferred for so long before something happens, akin to the “explosion” Langston Hughes so vividly describes in the poem’s fifth line.
The poem paints a compelling picture of the power of deferred dreams. As Dr. Camara Jones of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted in a 2010 speech, Langston Hughes deals with the issues of poverty, racism and oppression in his work, including ‘A Dream Deferred.’ It speaks to a yearning and longing that many people of color, and the underprivileged in general, experience around the world.
To fully comprehend the theme of ‘A Dream Deferred,’ it is important to focus on the literal and figurative meanings of each line. The first line, “What happens to a dream deferred?” shares a literal and figurative meaning. The word “deferred” in this context has a double meaning – that of dwindling hope and of slowing down progress. The reader is presented with the suggestion that a dream that has been deferred risks being forgotten or coming to nothing.
The next six lines contain a powerful description of what occurs when a dream is deferred and intentionally left unfulfilled, teasing out the various possibilities. Hughes suggests that a deferred dream can “dry up like a raisin in the sun” and decay “like a heavy load.” He also paints a vivid picture of a dream being “fester[ed] like a sore” and being “stagnat[ed] like grease.” Ultimately, Hughes reveals the fear that a deferred dream may ultimately be left unfulfilled and the consequences of this.
The Poem’s Impact
Although ‘A Dream Deferred’ was published nearly eighty years ago, the poem’s main idea of refusing to let dreams die still has relevance today. The message of the poem can be applied to modern social and cultural movements like the Black Lives Matter movement, for which the poem provides an important and powerful perspective on the importance of not letting dreams be forgotten.
The poem has found particular resonance among African-American audiences, who connect with its visceral and passionate message of hope triumphing over dashed expectations. Although Hughes’ language can be seen as gloomy, its meaning can be interpreted in direct opposition to its words. The poem’s message is ultimately one of hope and determination, reminding readers that even the most impossible dreams can still be realized if they are held onto tightly enough.
The poem has been used in many different contexts, inspiring several TV shows, books, songs, and other pieces of art. One example of this is a musical adaptation, ‘A Raisin in the Sun,’ which opened on Broadway in 1959. The musical was Hughes’ attempt to expand upon and build upon his original poem. Like its source material, the musical has gone on to become a huge success and has been translated into multiple languages and produced all over the world.
Dream Deferred As An Inspiration
The theme of ‘A Dream Deferred’ is an important one, as it speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. It encourages readers to stay determined and never give up, no matter how bleak the current situation may seem. As a result, it has found a place of honor in the hearts of people who have experienced times of hardship, providing a source of hope and inspiration.
Members of the African-American community have traditionally found deep meaning in the poem, as it speaks to the particular hardships they have experienced in the face of racism and oppression. The poem can also be seen as a call to action in a society where dreams are still being deferred, encouraging those producing and consuming popular culture to stand up and fight together.
In addition, the poem’s main idea of perseverance resonates with people of all backgrounds, pushing them to strive for their goals and never give up. For this reason, ‘A Dream Deferred’ is as relevant today as it was when it was first written nearly eighty years ago.
Rhetorical Devices In Dream Deferred
The poem makes effective use of rhetorical devices in order to further emphasize its point. The most common device used is personification, which is when a non-human object is given human qualities. In this poem, the dream is personified, allowing readers to better connect with it and understand its importance. Additionally, there is an effective use of repetition, which creates a steady rhythm that speaks to the powerful message of the poem.
Hughes’ use of imagery also aids the poem’s main idea. The powerful visual description of a dream being “fester[ed] like a sore” and being “stagnat[ed] like grease” creates a visceral reaction from the reader, encouraging them to further connect with the poem’s main message of perseverance.
The poem also contains a clever use of double entendres. The “deferred” dream can be interpreted several ways, depending on the context. It can refer simply to the act of delaying, but it can also be seen as a reference to the systemic racism imposed upon black Americans which prevents them from achieving their dreams.
The Power of A Dream Deferred
To fully appreciate the power of ‘A Dream Deferred,’ it is necessary to understand the socio-historical context in which it was written. It was created during the age of the Harlem Renaissance, when African-Americans were struggling to gain equality and recognition in the United States. This poem serves as a call to action, encouraging readers to never give up on their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem.
The poem has been a source of inspiration for many, encouraging individuals to persevere despite set-backs and road blocks. It opens a window into the frustration and anguish of having one’s hopes and dreams deferred, and speaks to the importance of being resilient and never giving up despite all odds.
The poem has had a considerable impact on modern popular culture, appearing in songs, musicals, books, TV shows and more. It has become an integral part of the black experience and provides a powerful voice that speaks to oppression and the difficulties of achieving success in a society that is still stacked heavily against certain groups.
Themes Of Resistance And Rebellion
The poem can also be seen as a reflection of the spirit of resistance and rebellion that exists in the African-American community. The poem serves as a reminder of the power of standing together in the face of oppression and adversity and the importance of keeping our dreams alive. Langston Hughes himself was a strong advocate for civil rights and sought to create a new cultural identity for African-Americans.
The poem is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and our ability to survive and push forward despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The dream held within “A Dream Deferred” is a dream of progress and of overcoming seemingly-impossible obstacles. As Langston Hughes wrote in his poem, “What happens to a dream deferred?/ Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?”
This dream deferred and the themes of resistance and rebellion can be seen in the origins of the Black Lives Matter movement, and in countless other social and cultural movements that have sought to make the world a more equitable and just place. ‘A Dream Deferred’ provides an important reminder of the importance of holding onto our dreams and being persistent in the face of adversity.
Criticism Of The Poem
Although ‘A Dream Deferred’ has been widely praised, it has also been subject to criticism by some. It has been cited as being simplistic and exaggerated in its language, painting a bleak picture of dreams being deferred merely for reasons of inexplicable evil. Some argue that it obscures the nuances of the systemic barriers to progress for the African-American community.
Others have gone so far as to suggest that the poem encourages a fatalistic attitude and a resigned acceptance of defeat in the face of adversity, rather than the spirit of resistance and rebellion it is intended to evoke. It has also been criticized for its use of sweeping generalizations to make a point.
Despite this criticism, ‘A Dream Deferred’ remains a powerful poem that speaks to the importance of never giving up in the face of hardship and adversity. Even if some of its language and vision can be seen as overly-dramatized or simplistic, the poem is still incredibly effective in conveying its powerful message of perseverance.
