Langston Hughes

I, TooHarlem, A Dream Deferred

He captured everyday life of black people through his art in a time when many black

artists were afraid to do so.

• Langston knew how important dreams are at a time of racism and injustice.

I, TooI, too, sing America.I am the darker brother.They send me to eat in the kitchenWhen company comes,But I laugh,And eat well,And grow strong.Tomorrow,I'll be at the tableWhen company comes.Nobody'll dareSay to me,"Eat in the kitchen,"Then.Besides,They'll see how beautiful I amAnd be ashamed -I, too, am America.

- Langston Hughes, 1925

• The poem shouts for equality and freedom.

• Disrespect precipitates strength from the servant.

I, too, sing AmericaI, too, am America.

• His body is subjugated, but his self-esteem resonates power.

• With a strong mind, his attitude (toward taking orders) becomes somewhat rebellious.

Comparisons

two time zones present / future

solitude / company

Attitude laugh / embarrassed

“Harlem”, A Dream Deferred1951

"Harlem" Dream Deferred.

What happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry uplike 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 sagslike a heavy load.Or does it explode?

- Langston Hughes, 1951

symbols, imagery and wordplay• The speaker asks what happens if dreams are

postponed.• He offers some possible answers to his question.

He offers some possible answers to his question.

dry up like raisins in the sunthey fester like soresrot like meatget all crusty, like sugary syrup left outsag like a heavy loaddreams explode

"What happens when dreams are put on hold?"

• This imagery remind us of everyday, ordinary tasks as eating, cooking, cleaning, or carrying something.

It's a poem built of questions, and questions makes us think of uncertainty.

Who else had a dream? Did his dream become a reality?

Analyze a Poem

• Who wrote these? • Why did he write these? • What is the subject of the poems? • What feeling do you get about the subject?• Are these poems, what makes them poetry? • How do we understand poetry?

Compare a poem

• How can you take a poem and analyze it both literally and figuratively?

• How can you compare two poems?• How can you write an analytical paper

comparing two poems while factoring in details from the poet’s life?

This is how.

• Use the process of breaking down a poem• List key points of each poem• Circle three similarities.• Write a paragraph to show the differences

and/or similarities between the two poems