"A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes
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?
Walter, Beneatha, Ruth & Mama all have dreams that get deferred.
No Dreams Deferred - 1994 was released on: USA: October 1994 (Los Angeles, California)
alliteration
This line, "What happens to a dream deferred? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load," is an example of a simile comparing a deferred dream to a sagging, heavy load. It suggests that unfulfilled dreams can weigh heavily on a person, impacting them in a negative way.
The dreams of the main characters vary but often revolve around achieving success, pursuing love, or finding happiness. These dreams are deferred due to obstacles such as societal expectations, personal shortcomings, or unforeseen circumstances that prevent them from reaching their goals. This creates tension and conflict in the story as characters grapple with the disappointment of their deferred dreams.
"A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes and "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho both explore the idea of pursuing one's dreams and the consequences of not doing so. In "A Dream Deferred," Hughes questions what happens when dreams are postponed or ignored, while "The Alchemist" emphasizes the importance of listening to one's heart and following one's personal legend. Both works underscore the transformative power of pursuing one's dreams and the need to take action in order to achieve them.
In the poem "Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes, people need to feel they can fulfill their dreams because when dreams are continually put off or ignored, it can lead to feelings of frustration, anger, and hopelessness. The poem highlights the importance of pursuing one's dreams and the negative consequences that can arise when those dreams are not realized. Ultimately, it stresses the significance of actively working towards fulfilling one's aspirations to avoid the challenges that may come with deferred dreams.
The phrase comes from the first line of a Langston Hughes poem, "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?" The play includes characters who are all struggling with deferred dreams. Read the whole poem here: http://www.cswnet.com/~menamc/langston.htm
The author is using the imagery of a raisin in the sun to suggest that when dreams are delayed or unfulfilled, they may shrink and lose vitality just like a raisin shrivels in the sun. This comparison highlights the idea that unfulfilled dreams can lead to disappointment, frustration, and a sense of loss.
Law and Order Special Victims Unit - 1999 Dreams Deferred 14-9 was released on: USA: 5 December 2012 Japan: 1 January 2014
The title of "A Raisin in the Sun" is inspired by the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes. In the poem, Hughes explores the deferred dreams of African Americans, questioning what happens to dreams that are postponed or unfulfilled. The imagery of a "raisin in the sun" symbolizes dreams that dry up and wither away, reflecting the struggles of the Younger family in the play as they navigate their aspirations and challenges.
The theme of "A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes is sorrow, heartbreak, and regret. The poem uses powerful imagery to express these themes, which are a result of putting of ones dreams and aspirations.