The Theme of Dreams in Harlem Essay

Harlem

The poem I am writing about is called Harlem, written by Langston Hughes. This poem is very short, however it tells a whole lot. The poem was written in 1951, but dates back to the early 1900s. At that time, there was the Great Depression, poverty among blacks and racism. One would think this poem is about the city Harlem located in New York. However, it is about putting dreams on hold. Putting their dreams off for a later time or maybe never. The poem is asking one of many questions. What happens to a dream deferred? We all have dreams and would love to pursue them. If we put our minds to it, stay focus and work at our dreams, it can be done. Back then African Americans had plenty of dreams as well as all races, however some dreams were never a reality, and according to the poem African Americans dreams were always deferred.

Dreams for blacks around the 1900s were to have a better life, freedom and opportunity. However this was a little difficult for them especially since the civil rights movement did not happen until years later. They were faced with a lot and dreams for them came and went. There were other things and issues to think about. The author breaks down the poem and compares the not so good objects to what happens to dreams. The author asks a series of questions with no answers.

Does it dries up like a raisin in the sun? This is the second question being asked. The dream once a juicy grape that sits and sits eventually turns into a dried up raisin. And if possible, the raisin will disappear if it continues to sit. So there goes the dream, gone, either for a while or maybe never. Blacks in the 1900s did not have that push and the drive that could help them fulfill their dream. Finances could have been one of the problems for them. Another question being asked is does it stink like rotten meat? The question being asked sound very strange and seems to make no since. Meat that sits for a while can really smell bad. Whether it is meat from the refrigerator or even meat of a deceased animal. The smell will linger around for a good while. The dream will sit and sit once again waiting for action and then becomes a consent reminder of what it could have been by the smell that lingers.

With the other questions being asked, they all lead up to that fact the dreams were once there but never made an attempt to come forth. This goes on today. We all have dreams; it is just up to us to go about pursuing those dreams. It was just in those days there were no resources or even support for the African Americans. The last line mentioned in this poem is a strong question, or does it explode? Sometimes we can get caught up in our everyday life and forget about our dreams or maybe just think the dream might be too much. Once that happens it is either forgotten or not even a care.