The following poem is by Langston Hughes, a black American Poet who lived from 1902-1967. He lived most of his life before the Supreme Court decision that struck down racial segregation.
Analyze the poetic techniques that allow the poet to communicate his tone. Use the terms from this unit as effectively as you can.
Dream Deferred
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?