Quote by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry uplike a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a soreAnd then run?Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust and sugar overlike a syrupy sweet?Maybe it just sagslike a heavy lead. Or does it explode?

What happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry uplike a raisin

Summary

In Langston Hughes' poem, "What happens to a dream deferred?" the speaker questions the outcome of unfulfilled dreams. Comparing the deferred dream to various images, the poem explores the potential consequences of neglecting one's aspirations. Hughes suggests that a dream left unattended can wither away, become a source of bitterness, or undergo a transformation leading to artificial appearances. Ultimately, he asks whether a deferred dream might weigh heavily on a person until it bursts forth with intense energy. The poem prompts reflection on the ramifications of disregarding or postponing one's ambitions.

By Langston Hughes

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