Seminar text: “Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes
Date: 2/17/11
Classes 1A, 2A, 3A
Cathy Forester
Pre-seminar content:
The day before the seminar, read background information on Langston Hughes. Using Peggy O’Brien’s
Unfinished Taxonomy, discuss the poem in the context of the time in which it was written, the American
Dream, and its relevance in today’s world.
To defer: 1. to put off, postpone 2. To submit to the opinion, wishes, or decision of another.
Opening questions:
1. What are some synonyms for dream?
2. What simile or phrase or word is the most important to you? Why?
Core questions:
3. What is the tone of this poem?
4. What is the dream?
5. The original title of this poem is “Harlem.” What does this mean to you?
6. What might we infer about the speaker?
7. What is the bomb a metaphor for?
8. Why do you think Lorraine Hansberry chose the line “a raisin in the sun” as the title of her play?
9. Does it seem fitting? How so? or How not?
Closing questions:
10. What does this text teach us about dreams or goals?
11. Would the meaning of this poem change if it were written by a white person?
12. Can this poem apply to white people as well? How so?
Post write: Choose one character from the play “A Raisin in the Sun” and explain how this poem applies
to him or her.
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?