Harlem
Poetry
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Langston Hughes
Harlem Poem
Harlem
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?
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Harlem Key Info
Key Facts
Title: Harlem (also known as A Dream Deferred)
Poet: Langston Hughes (1901-1967)
Written Date: 1951
Publication Date: 1951, as part of a longer volume-length poem in 1951 called Montage of a Dream Deferred
Form, Meter, Rhyme Scheme: Free verse (no regular rhyme or meter, but strong rhythm and sound patterns)
Total Lines/Stanza: 11 short lines divided into 4 irregular stanzas...
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Harlem Literary Device
Symbols
Dream : Hughes uses the symbol of a “dream” that is deferred (বিলম্বিত করা). In this poem, he talks about the danger when the dream of racial equality is continuously delayed. He asks,
“What happens to a dream deferred?”
He asks: “Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?” The raisin, sore, rotten meat, and heavy load are all symbols of what happens when dreams are delayed to be fulfilled....
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Harlem Quotations
Quotes
“What happens to a dream deferred?”
Exp: The poet asks what happens when a dream is delayed or not fulfilled. Here, “dream” means the rightful demand of equality and freedom for the black Americans. Langston Hughes is mainly talking about the dreams of African Americans who were denied freedom, equality, and opportunity for a long time.
“Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?”
Exp: T...
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Harlem Summary
This short but powerful poem asks a very important question: “What happens to a dream deferred?” The word “deferred” means delayed or kept waiting. So, the poet is asking what happens when people’s dreams — their hopes and goals — are not allowed to come true. Langston Hughes is mainly talking about the dreams of African Americans who were denied freedom, equality, and opportunity for a long time....
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Harlem Theme
Themes
Dreams and Delayed Justice : The major theme in this poem is the importance of dreams. Here, “dream” means the rightful demand of equality and freedom for the black Americans. The poet talks about what will happen if the dreams of black Americans are frequently neglected. He asks:
“What happens to a dream deferred?”
He compares it to a raisin drying up or rotten meat. These images show the...
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