"A Dream Deferred"

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes the poem "A Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes. Specifically, it discusses the author as an influential black American poet and author and describes his life. It then interprets the poem, including a critical analysis of the work, focusing on the language he uses, the poetic structure of the poem and the imagery he conjures.

From the Paper:

"In addition, Hughes uses vivid imagery (or figurative language) inside the poem to create pictures in the reader's mind. He uses words such as "fester," "stink," "rotten," and "crust" to show the negative aspects of dreams deferred, and even the physical pain and festering deferring dreams can cause. The imagery of the poem is central to the theme and impact of the work and Hughes uses the imagery as one of the most important aspects of the work. He uses this imagery as figurative language by making comparisons to dreams to the reality of what happens when they do not come true. The "festering sore" of reality is far distant from the dream of equality, and that indicates how Hughes manages to blend figurative language into the poem effectively and for the most impact. This poem led to many other works of the same nature, which eventually brought acclaim and award to Hughes and his influential works."

Sample of Sources Used:

• De Jongh, James. "The Poet Speaks of Places A Close Reading of Langston Hughes's Literary Use of Place." A Historical Guide to Langston Hughes. Ed. Steven C. Tracy. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. 65-84.
• Dickinson, Donald C. A Bio-Bibliography of Langston Hughes, 1902-1967. Hamden, Conn: Archon Books, 1967.
• Ford, Karen J. "These Old Writing Paper Blues: The Blues Stanza and Literary Poetry." College Literature 24.3 (1997): 84-103.
• Hansen, Tom. "On 'Harlem.'" University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 2000. 6 April 2006. < http://www.english.uiuc.edu/maps/poets/g_l/hughes/harlem.htm >
• Miller, R. Baxter. "Langston Hughes, 1902-1967 A Brief Biography." A Historical Guide to Langston Hughes. Ed. Steven C. Tracy. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. 23-61.

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