Name:
Date:
Langston Hughes' "A Dream Deferred" Poem Work
After reading the poem, please answer the following questions:
1. What does it mean when a dream is deferred?
2. Does Hughes show a dream deferred as a negative or positive thing? How do you
know? Use specific evidence!!
3. What do you think is the meaning behind this poem?
4. Do you agree with Hughes? Are their situations where unfulfilled dreams can
fester, dry up, sag like a heavy load, explode?
(Turn Over)
Look over "A Dream Deferred" again, paying attention to the structure of and
literary devices used in the poem.
Here's an example of a poem written in the same style:
What happens to a dream fulfilled?
Does it sparkle
Like a diamond ring?
Or float into the air--And then sing?
Does it feel warm like the sun
Or laugh and giggle--Like a toddler on the run?
Maybe it just shines
Like a gold star.
Or does it make you go far?
-Charlotte Jacobs, 2006
Now, IN YOUR JOURNAL write your own poem about a topic of your choosing in the
style of "A Dream Deferred"
If you're stuck about a topic, here are some possible prompts:
-What happens to a stressed out 7th grader?
-What happens to a late homework assignment?
-What happens to an unfulfilled crush?
-What happens to an ugly duckling?
-What happens to a flying pig?