Analysis Of A Dream Deferred By Langston Hughes

During the 1920s the United States, Harlem in particular, experienced a renaissance of African American culture. New forms of art, music, dance, literature, and generally a new lifestyle were created throughout this short but meaningful time frame. A new sense of freedom was given to African Americans; however, they were not given all the freedoms that they deserved. African American writers used their literature to portray their feelings about this time. Langston Hughes was one of these famous writers, in fact he was one of the most celebrated poets during the Harlem Renaissance. His poem “A Dream Deferred” talks about what occurs to a dream that is suppressed, as well as how that dream will either break free or “... dry up / like a raisin in the sun?” (2-3). Many African Americans, including Langston, realized that their civil rights were being quenched by Caucasians. Many African Americans were worried that this problem would “... fester like a sore-- / and then run?” (4-5). Langston specifically asks the question “Or does it explode?” (11). This question can be interpreted into several meanings: violence breaking out, the explosion of culture during the Harlem Renaissance, or even the idea itself exploding. What we do

Within “Any Human to Another” Cullen says “Your grief and mine / Must intertwine” (7-8). This suggests that even if some people may have different backgrounds: everyone has the same feelings. Cullen does not use any particular rhyming scheme within his poem; although, the theme of his poem is quite obvious -- every person of every type of background deserves the respect of every other person. He tells us of the sharing of sorrows between two people with “Your every grief / Like a blade”, “Must strike me down.” , “My sorrow must be laid / On your head like a crown.” (25-26, 28, 30-31). This helps to support his theme of respect for all