Assignment Nine: Reread Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem." Were your predictions accurate? Why or why not? Discuss the significance of the poem and its connection to the play. (200 words)
Langston Hughes in his poem, “Harlem,” discusses the affects of a dream not pursued. In his poem, Hughes ponders whether, “A dream deferred,” will, “dry up like a raisin in the sun or fester like a sore” (Hughes 1, 2-3). In these lines, Hughes is discussing what happens when a dream is not pursued whether that dream will wither away or will they go crazy not having accomplished their dream. After reading the play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” by Lorraine Hansberry, readers are able to confirm that the play just like the poem is about people dealing with dreams and the consequences of not achieving those dreams. In, “A Raisin in the Sun,” many of the characters are dealing with dreams and how they were going to accomplish them, but Walter focuses on his dreams the most. Walter constantly wants to provide his family with a better life and to do that he wants to make investments in, “this little liquor store,” and wants to use the, “insurance money,” to do so (Hansberry 33, 38). Walter is so consumed by his dream for a better life and wants to be the one to provide it that he does not take into consideration how any one else wants to use the money. He can not see through his own desire that there are better more responsible ways to use the money. Later Walter actually has some money to invest in the liquor store, but loses all, “sixty-five hundred dollars,” when Willy does not invest it but steals it and Walter does lose his mind at the thought of all of their money being gone (Hansberry 129). Hansberry’s play has a great connection with the poem because she portrays the stages that characters go through at all of the turning points in the play. Her depiction of Walter’s emotions and reactions in a way answer the poem by showing what happens to a person when their dream is deferred. Hansberry does a wonderful job of foreshadowing the theme of her play by adding in Langston Hughes’ poem, “Harlem,” before the introduction.
Langston Hughes in his poem, “Harlem,” discusses the effects of a dream not pursued. In his poem, Hughes ponders whether, “A dream deferred,” will, “dry up like a raisin in the sun or fester like a sore” (Hughes 1, 2-3). In these lines, Hughes is discussing what happens when a dream is not pursued whether that dream will wither away or will they go crazy not having accomplished their dream. After reading the play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” by Lorraine Hansberry, readers are able to confirm that the play just like the poem is about people dealing with dreams and the consequences of not achieving those dreams. In, “A Raisin in the Sun,” many of the characters are dealing with dreams and how they were going to accomplish them, but Walter focuses on his dreams the most. Walter constantly wants to provide his family with a better life and to do that he wants to make investments in, “this little liquor store,” and wants to use the, “insurance money,” to do so (Hansberry 33, 38). Walter is so consumed by his dream for a better life and wants to be the one to provide it that he does not take into consideration how any one else wants to use the money. He can not see through his own desire that there are better more responsible ways to use the money. Later Walter actually has some money to invest in the liquor store, but loses all, “sixty-five hundred dollars,” when Willy does not invest it but steals it and Walter does lose his mind at the thought of all of their money being gone (Hansberry 129). Hansberry’s play has a great connection with the poem because she portrays the stages that characters go through at all of the turning points in the play. Her depiction of Walter’s emotions and reactions in a way answer the poem by showing what happens to a person when their dream is deferred. Hansberry does a wonderful job of foreshadowing the theme of her play by adding in Langston Hughes’ poem, “Harlem,” before the introduction.
After reading "A Raisin in the Sun", I made correct predictions. The story outlined a struggling African American family and detailed their individual and collective dreams for success. Any opportunity to progress socially or financially was floundered by racism and prejudice amidst their everyday hardships. While enduring the constant shortcomings and "deferred" dreams (Hughes 1), members of the Younger family displayed emotions similar to the many Langston Hughes described in his poem. When Walter discovered that Mama had spent the life insurance money on a new house for the family, he felt that she had "butchered" his dream (Hughes 95). In this instance, Walter has an overwhelming tone of disappointment. He feels that his dream of investing in the liquor business has vanished or "dried up like a raisin in the sun" (Hughes 2 and 3). Walter also experiences frustration when his wife seems to not support his endeavors and his desire to "take hold of the world" (Hansberry 33). He also is stressed because of the little he has done to be successful for his family. This was always in his mind, reminding him like a "festering sore" (Hughes 4). From a different perspective, Mama was always positive, no matter the time or circumstance. She had worked hard in her life to make her children's dreams a reality, even if that meant putting her own dreams and wants on hold. One of her dreams was to have a "garden of [her] own" (Hansberry 53). Though she had not been able to make it a reality, Mama took the greatest care of her little green plant. The plant represented her positive outlook on the future and her hope for her and her family's dreams to be reached. This relates to Hughes asking, "does it crust and sugar over- like a syrupy sweet" (Hughes 7 and 8). Here there is hope, even if the dream has yet to be accomplished. "Harlem" by Langston Hughes foreshadowed the concepts, ideas, and emotions that would be present in "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry. It is clear that the poem was significant to the development of the play and overall theme. However, the play ends with the Youngers moving into their new house while being on the same page as a family. "A Raisin in the Sun" ends not with a "dream deferred", but with a dream at long last achieved.
Langston Hughes’s poem “Harlem” and Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” both deal with the concept of dreams, and what exactly happens when they aren’t necessary carried out. The poem poses different questions about “dreams deferred,” such as whether they “dry up,” “fester like a sore,” or perhaps “crust and sugar over – like a syrupy sweet” (Hughes 2,4,7-8). It seems as though the characters in the play go through different phases and mindsets that are similar to what these lines in Hughes play portray. Some of the characters’ dreams aren’t completed throughout the play, and when hardship hits their dreams possibly do “dry up” if they give up on them, or “fester”, as it hurts to not see their dream be accomplished. Examples of these thoughts are Beneatha, when she believes she’s “stopped caring” about her dream of being a doctor, and Walter, who instead of still striving for his liquor store gives up and almost “puts on a show” for Mr. Lindner and take his money so they won’t move in; both children feel these ways out of devastation at the loss of the money that has been stolen (Hansberry 133). Both of the children’s dreams are “deferred,” in a sense, as they couldn’t carry them out without the money and still cannot now due to it being stolen. They both feel the negative effects inside that one might feel if they think their dreams couldn’t be achieved. However, whenever Walter tells Mr. Lindner that “[they] have decided to move into [their] house,” this relates to Hughes’s last line of his poem: “or does it explode?” (Hansberry 148, Hughes 11). My predictions were somewhat accurate, as I thought that perhaps the “explosion” was a positive breakthrough for the characters of the play. The “dream deferred” in this case was a new house for the Younger’s, something that couldn’t have been realized had they not have gotten the money. When Walter’s father died and the family obtained the money from this, this was that “explosion,” it was what they needed to obtain a new house, and the realization of their move finally dawns upon them when Walter denies Mr. Lindner. The poem is significant to the play as both discuss the rises and falls of a dream that has been put off, however the play beautifully gives the poem a setting and story, so that readers may see the poem come to life through the play’s characters.
"Harlem" by Langston Hughes and "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry share similar themes. My predictions were mostly accurate. Hughes and Hansberry both tell a story of a dreamer and his or her struggles. Hughes questioned if the dream would "fester like a sore-And then run" (lines 4-5). This correlates with how Walter handles his dreams not happening. Walter told Mama "So you butchered up a dream of mine-you-who always talking 'bout your children's dreams" (Hansberry 95). He is an example of how the dream caused pain because he tries to hurt his mother with his comments about her not investing in his dream. Hughes asks "Does it stink like rotten meat" (line 6). Walter was losing all hope and becoming sour. His mother said "You make something inside me cry, son. Some awful pain inside me", and she told him their family "ain't never been that-dead inside" (Hansberry 143). Mama is disappointed in her son's rash decisions. In both instances, a "deferred" dream causes raw emotion to surface. The two works project how many different emotions people go through to fulfill their dream.
Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem" and Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" share almost identical themes. Before reading "A Raisin in the Sun," I read "Harlem" and made predictions on what the play would be about. These predictions were correct because both the poem and the play deal with "dreams deferred" (line 1). The play portrays several individual's dreams that have been put aside as well as the family's dream of obtaining a better life. As the characters in the play continue to pursue their dreams we see the progression of their emotional feeling toward their dreams. In Walter's case his dream begins to "fester like a sore" (line 4). He becomes so angry with his current situation that he makes the sudden decision to change his life. He is met with obstacles but continues to pursue his goal. However, Walter's dream begins to "stink like rotten meat" and blinds his common sense (line 6). Walter is so caught up in his own dream that he fails to make the best decision for his family. Walter goes on to make some irrational decisions and ends up losing his father's life insurance money. The main difference between the play and the poem is that the play ends with a dream being fulfilled when the family moves into the new house. The poem most likely was a major influence on the play, however, the play provides a great story set to the theme of the poem.
.Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem" and Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" have very identical themes. I had read "Harlem" at first and really loved the poem. I had made predictions about what I thought "A Raisin in the Sun" would be about. After reading the play I had found out that my prediction was hundred percent correct. Both the poem and the play dealt with "dreams being deferred." (Line 1). In "Harlem" the poem talks about what happens to a deferred dream; "Does it dry up like a Raisin in the sun?" (Lines 3-4). "A Raisin in the Sun" tells a play of many dreams that in the all of these deferred dreams become a reality and all of the Younger family is at ease again. In the play there are three wishes that Mama, Walter, and Beneatha want. Mama wants a new house for the family to have a stable environment while her daughter wants to become a doctor and needs the money to go to medical school. Her son, Walter, wants to open up is very own liquor store. In the end all dreams were made. The poem was a major inspiration to the play as you can see in the title. Both pieces reflect on the American Dream that everyone wishes to fulfill.
1) period at the beginning of the paragraph 2) I had read "Harlem" at first and really loved the poem. I had made predictions about what I thought "A Raisin in the Sun" would be about. - Irrelevant 3) Citation error 4) 2 CD 5) Response to prompt is fine
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ReplyDeleteLangston Hughes in his poem, “Harlem,” discusses the affects of a dream not pursued. In his poem, Hughes ponders whether, “A dream deferred,” will, “dry up like a raisin in the sun or fester like a sore” (Hughes 1, 2-3). In these lines, Hughes is discussing what happens when a dream is not pursued whether that dream will wither away or will they go crazy not having accomplished their dream. After reading the play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” by Lorraine Hansberry, readers are able to confirm that the play just like the poem is about people dealing with dreams and the consequences of not achieving those dreams. In, “A Raisin in the Sun,” many of the characters are dealing with dreams and how they were going to accomplish them, but Walter focuses on his dreams the most. Walter constantly wants to provide his family with a better life and to do that he wants to make investments in, “this little liquor store,” and wants to use the, “insurance money,” to do so (Hansberry 33, 38). Walter is so consumed by his dream for a better life and wants to be the one to provide it that he does not take into consideration how any one else wants to use the money. He can not see through his own desire that there are better more responsible ways to use the money. Later Walter actually has some money to invest in the liquor store, but loses all, “sixty-five hundred dollars,” when Willy does not invest it but steals it and Walter does lose his mind at the thought of all of their money being gone (Hansberry 129). Hansberry’s play has a great connection with the poem because she portrays the stages that characters go through at all of the turning points in the play. Her depiction of Walter’s emotions and reactions in a way answer the poem by showing what happens to a person when their dream is deferred. Hansberry does a wonderful job of foreshadowing the theme of her play by adding in Langston Hughes’ poem, “Harlem,” before the introduction.
ReplyDelete1) Excellent analysis!
Delete2) affect vs effect: affect - change/influence/impact; effect - result of
Langston Hughes in his poem, “Harlem,” discusses the effects of a dream not pursued. In his poem, Hughes ponders whether, “A dream deferred,” will, “dry up like a raisin in the sun or fester like a sore” (Hughes 1, 2-3). In these lines, Hughes is discussing what happens when a dream is not pursued whether that dream will wither away or will they go crazy not having accomplished their dream. After reading the play, “A Raisin in the Sun,” by Lorraine Hansberry, readers are able to confirm that the play just like the poem is about people dealing with dreams and the consequences of not achieving those dreams. In, “A Raisin in the Sun,” many of the characters are dealing with dreams and how they were going to accomplish them, but Walter focuses on his dreams the most. Walter constantly wants to provide his family with a better life and to do that he wants to make investments in, “this little liquor store,” and wants to use the, “insurance money,” to do so (Hansberry 33, 38). Walter is so consumed by his dream for a better life and wants to be the one to provide it that he does not take into consideration how any one else wants to use the money. He can not see through his own desire that there are better more responsible ways to use the money. Later Walter actually has some money to invest in the liquor store, but loses all, “sixty-five hundred dollars,” when Willy does not invest it but steals it and Walter does lose his mind at the thought of all of their money being gone (Hansberry 129). Hansberry’s play has a great connection with the poem because she portrays the stages that characters go through at all of the turning points in the play. Her depiction of Walter’s emotions and reactions in a way answer the poem by showing what happens to a person when their dream is deferred. Hansberry does a wonderful job of foreshadowing the theme of her play by adding in Langston Hughes’ poem, “Harlem,” before the introduction.
DeleteAfter reading "A Raisin in the Sun", I made correct predictions. The story outlined a struggling African American family and detailed their individual and collective dreams for success. Any opportunity to progress socially or financially was floundered by racism and prejudice amidst their everyday hardships. While enduring the constant shortcomings and "deferred" dreams (Hughes 1), members of the Younger family displayed emotions similar to the many Langston Hughes described in his poem. When Walter discovered that Mama had spent the life insurance money on a new house for the family, he felt that she had "butchered" his dream (Hughes 95). In this instance, Walter has an overwhelming tone of disappointment. He feels that his dream of investing in the liquor business has vanished or "dried up like a raisin in the sun" (Hughes 2 and 3). Walter also experiences frustration when his wife seems to not support his endeavors and his desire to "take hold of the world" (Hansberry 33). He also is stressed because of the little he has done to be successful for his family. This was always in his mind, reminding him like a "festering sore" (Hughes 4). From a different perspective, Mama was always positive, no matter the time or circumstance. She had worked hard in her life to make her children's dreams a reality, even if that meant putting her own dreams and wants on hold. One of her dreams was to have a "garden of [her] own" (Hansberry 53). Though she had not been able to make it a reality, Mama took the greatest care of her little green plant. The plant represented her positive outlook on the future and her hope for her and her family's dreams to be reached. This relates to Hughes asking, "does it crust and sugar over- like a syrupy sweet" (Hughes 7 and 8). Here there is hope, even if the dream has yet to be accomplished. "Harlem" by Langston Hughes foreshadowed the concepts, ideas, and emotions that would be present in "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry. It is clear that the poem was significant to the development of the play and overall theme. However, the play ends with the Youngers moving into their new house while being on the same page as a family. "A Raisin in the Sun" ends not with a "dream deferred", but with a dream at long last achieved.
ReplyDelete1) Excellent posts!
Delete2) Remember citations go at the very end of sentences.
Langston Hughes’s poem “Harlem” and Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” both deal with the concept of dreams, and what exactly happens when they aren’t necessary carried out. The poem poses different questions about “dreams deferred,” such as whether they “dry up,” “fester like a sore,” or perhaps “crust and sugar over – like a syrupy sweet” (Hughes 2,4,7-8). It seems as though the characters in the play go through different phases and mindsets that are similar to what these lines in Hughes play portray. Some of the characters’ dreams aren’t completed throughout the play, and when hardship hits their dreams possibly do “dry up” if they give up on them, or “fester”, as it hurts to not see their dream be accomplished. Examples of these thoughts are Beneatha, when she believes she’s “stopped caring” about her dream of being a doctor, and Walter, who instead of still striving for his liquor store gives up and almost “puts on a show” for Mr. Lindner and take his money so they won’t move in; both children feel these ways out of devastation at the loss of the money that has been stolen (Hansberry 133). Both of the children’s dreams are “deferred,” in a sense, as they couldn’t carry them out without the money and still cannot now due to it being stolen. They both feel the negative effects inside that one might feel if they think their dreams couldn’t be achieved. However, whenever Walter tells Mr. Lindner that “[they] have decided to move into [their] house,” this relates to Hughes’s last line of his poem: “or does it explode?” (Hansberry 148, Hughes 11). My predictions were somewhat accurate, as I thought that perhaps the “explosion” was a positive breakthrough for the characters of the play. The “dream deferred” in this case was a new house for the Younger’s, something that couldn’t have been realized had they not have gotten the money. When Walter’s father died and the family obtained the money from this, this was that “explosion,” it was what they needed to obtain a new house, and the realization of their move finally dawns upon them when Walter denies Mr. Lindner. The poem is significant to the play as both discuss the rises and falls of a dream that has been put off, however the play beautifully gives the poem a setting and story, so that readers may see the poem come to life through the play’s characters.
ReplyDelete1) Great; remember, no contractions.
Delete"Harlem" by Langston Hughes and "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry share similar themes. My predictions were mostly accurate. Hughes and Hansberry both tell a story of a dreamer and his or her struggles. Hughes questioned if the dream would "fester like a sore-And then run" (lines 4-5). This correlates with how Walter handles his dreams not happening. Walter told Mama "So you butchered up a dream of mine-you-who always talking 'bout your children's dreams" (Hansberry 95). He is an example of how the dream caused pain because he tries to hurt his mother with his comments about her not investing in his dream. Hughes asks "Does it stink like rotten meat" (line 6). Walter was losing all hope and becoming sour. His mother said "You make something inside me cry, son. Some awful pain inside me", and she told him their family "ain't never been that-dead inside" (Hansberry 143). Mama is disappointed in her son's rash decisions. In both instances, a "deferred" dream causes raw emotion to surface. The two works project how many different emotions people go through to fulfill their dream.
ReplyDeletefine
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLangston Hughes' poem "Harlem" and Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" share almost identical themes. Before reading "A Raisin in the Sun," I read "Harlem" and made predictions on what the play would be about. These predictions were correct because both the poem and the play deal with "dreams deferred" (line 1). The play portrays several individual's dreams that have been put aside as well as the family's dream of obtaining a better life. As the characters in the play continue to pursue their dreams we see the progression of their emotional feeling toward their dreams. In Walter's case his dream begins to "fester like a sore" (line 4). He becomes so angry with his current situation that he makes the sudden decision to change his life. He is met with obstacles but continues to pursue his goal. However, Walter's dream begins to "stink like rotten meat" and blinds his common sense (line 6). Walter is so caught up in his own dream that he fails to make the best decision for his family. Walter goes on to make some irrational decisions and ends up losing his father's life insurance money. The main difference between the play and the poem is that the play ends with a dream being fulfilled when the family moves into the new house. The poem most likely was a major influence on the play, however, the play provides a great story set to the theme of the poem.
ReplyDeletefine
Delete.Langston Hughes' poem "Harlem" and Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" have very identical themes. I had read "Harlem" at first and really loved the poem. I had made predictions about what I thought "A Raisin in the Sun" would be about. After reading the play I had found out that my prediction was hundred percent correct. Both the poem and the play dealt with "dreams being deferred." (Line 1). In "Harlem" the poem talks about what happens to a deferred dream; "Does it dry up like a Raisin in the sun?" (Lines 3-4). "A Raisin in the Sun" tells a play of many dreams that in the all of these deferred dreams become a reality and all of the Younger family is at ease again. In the play there are three wishes that Mama, Walter, and Beneatha want. Mama wants a new house for the family to have a stable environment while her daughter wants to become a doctor and needs the money to go to medical school. Her son, Walter, wants to open up is very own liquor store. In the end all dreams were made. The poem was a major inspiration to the play as you can see in the title. Both pieces reflect on the American Dream that everyone wishes to fulfill.
ReplyDelete1) period at the beginning of the paragraph
ReplyDelete2) I had read "Harlem" at first and really loved the poem. I had made predictions about what I thought "A Raisin in the Sun" would be about. - Irrelevant
3) Citation error
4) 2 CD
5) Response to prompt is fine
I retract my #5. After looking at Dylan's there are some plagiarism issues. Look at your first few sentences and look at his. Too similar.
Delete