What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?... Or does it explode?

What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun?... Or does it explode?

Langston Hughes, one of the most prominent figures of the Harlem Renaissance, posed a thought-provoking question in his poem "Harlem": "What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun? Or does it explode?" This question has resonated with readers for decades, as it speaks to the struggles and frustrations of African Americans during a time of racial inequality and oppression.

In the context of Langston Hughes, a dream deferred refers to the hopes and aspirations of African Americans that have been delayed or denied due to systemic racism and discrimination. Hughes himself experienced firsthand the challenges of being a black man in America, and his poetry often reflects the pain and frustration of this experience.

The first image Hughes presents in the poem is that of a dream drying up "like a raisin in the sun." This image conveys a sense of withering and decay, as if the dream is slowly fading away and losing its vitality. This could be interpreted as the result of years of oppression and marginalization, which can wear down even the strongest of spirits.

However, the second image Hughes presents is much more explosive and violent: "Or does it explode?" This image suggests that a dream deferred can lead to anger, frustration, and even violence. When hopes and aspirations are continually thwarted and denied, the result can be a powerful and destructive force that cannot be contained.