Dream Deferred Assignment
A Dream Deferred
by Langston Hughes
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?
In this context ‘deferred’ means…
There are 5 different possibilities in this poem for what happens when a dream is deferred. Explain what
it means for each one giving examples to support your answer.

Dry up like a raisin in the sun-

Fester like a sore—and then run –

Stink like rotten meat -

Crust and sugar over like a syrupy sweet -

Sags like a heavy load -

Explode –
What is the tone of the poem? How does Hughes feel about dreams? How do you know?
Do you agree with Hughes? Give examples from personal experiences, books, and television or film plots
about what happens when dreams are lost.
Now, write your own figurative language poem about when you experienced something being
deferred.
You must have at least four similes in your poem (as Hughes did)
You can use metaphors, personification, and hyperbole as well.
Your poem must be at least 11 lines long.
Poem Frame (rough draft)
A __________________________ Deferred
by __________________________
What happens to a ______________________________ deferred?
Does it _________________________ like a _________________________?
Or _______________________ like ________________________
And then _________________________?
Does it ________________________ like __________________________?
Or ____________________________ like _________________________?
Maybe it just ______________________________
like a ______________________________
Or does it ___________________________?
Now rewrite it. Large and in charge. Make it nice.