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A Dream Deferred Analysis

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Langston Hughes poem, “A Dream Deferred” explains many similar themes that go along with the play “Raisin in the Sun ”. They both really explain how a dream can come true, and just like that be broken. Langston Hughes poem does a great job of making you sit and question what really happens to a dream that has been pushed to the side. The themes of the play “Raisin in the Sun” closely mirror and capture the meaning of the lines from the Langston Hughes poem “Harlem” (Dreams Deferred). In line one from the poem, Langston asks what appears to be a simple question, “What happens to a dream deferred?” In the play, Walter says “I got a dream”. Walter really thought his liquor store was going to pan out. All he needed was for Mama to give up her …show more content…

Walter states in the play, “I don’t want nothing but for you to stop acting holy around here. Me and Ruth done made sacrifices for you- why can’t you do something for the family?” Beneatha is too busy trying to get the money that she doesn’t appreciate anything else anyone does for her.
Line 5 “ Or crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet” explains exactly what Mama should’ve done right away with the money, go on vacation! Even Ruth thinks the same, as she says “ I’m serious. Just pack up and leave! Go on away and enjoy yourself. Forget about the family and have yourself a ball”. With her son and daughter both constantly explaining what their going to do with Mama’s money, Mama probably had no idea what she should do. She was basically being pressured between her own to children.
Line 6 “Maybe it just sags like a heavy load”, stresses the fact that Ruth and Walter are really having a tough time. In the play, Ruth says “No. Mama, something is happening between Walter and me. I don’t know what it is- but he needs something- something I can’t give him anymore”. Again and again, Ruth and Walter continuously argue. Walter seems to be acting more and more like a child because he will not get his way. I guess it really haunts you when you don’t know what it feels like to work for your own

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