5.17.M - Lesson: "Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes

Question 1

Langston Hughes is a key figure in the _________ Renaissance.
Reformation
American
Harlem
Italian

Answer 1

Harlem

Question 2

“Dream Deferred” is essentially a series of analogies.
True
False

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Which of the following lines stands alone in the poem?
“Maybe it just sags”
“Or crust and sugar over–”
“Does it dry up?”
“What happens to a dream deferred?”

Answer 3

“What happens to a dream deferred?”

Question 4

The final line in the poem, “Or does it explode?”, is ___________.
an analogy
imagery

Answer 4

imagery

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT one of the analogies in the poem?
A dream deferred is like a heavy load
A dream deferred is like rotten meat
A dream deferred is like a dam about to burst
A dream deferred is like a festering sore

Answer 5

A dream deferred is like a dam about to burst

Question 6

Choose one of the analogies below of a “dream deferred” (there are four).

“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?”

How does this analogy describe someone who has never been able to realize their dream? In other words, what does it look like for a dream to “dry up” or “fester” or “stink” or “crust over”?

Your response should be 3–5 sentences.

Answer 6

The analogy of “crust and sugar over a syrupy sweet” can relate to a dream in many ways. One way it can relate is by comparing it to a dream that has been forgotten about and left alone. Even though the dream has not been achieved, it can still bring back sweet memories.

Question 7

The final suggestion of the poem is:

“Or does it explode?”

What does “explode” mean? Is the word positive or negative? Can it be both? What could it look like for a suppressed dream to explode?

Give your thoughtful opinion in 3–5 sentences.

Answer 7

Your Answer:
The analogy “or does it explode” is mainly negative. I say this because it could mean realizing that a dream is impossible. Which in return makes you have strong emotions of hate, anger, or even jealousy.

Question 8

Does the poet believe that a “dream deferred” brings about good or bad things? Use specific words and phrases from the poem to support your point.

Your response should be 3–5 sentences.

Answer 8

Your Answer:
The poet believes that a dream deferred can be both bad and good. I say it’s mainly bad because the poet says stuff like, “Does it stink like rotten meat?” or “Does it fester like a sore on the run?”. It is good because it says “crust and sugar over a syrupy sweet,” which resembles a dream that has not been achieved yet; it brings happy memories.