Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes I, Too Harlem, A Dream Deferred

He captured everyday life of black people through his art in a time when many black artists were afraid to do so.
Langston knew how important dreams are at a time of racism and injustice.

I, Too
I, too, sing America.
I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong.
Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then.
Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed -
I, too, am America.
- Langston Hughes, 1925

The poem shouts for equality and freedom.
Disrespect precipitates strength from the servant.

I, too, sing America I, too, am America.
His body is subjugated, but his self-esteem resonates power.
With a strong mind, his attitude (toward taking orders) becomes somewhat rebellious.

Comparisons
two time zones
present / future
solitude / company
Attitude
laugh / embarrassed

“ Harlem”, A Dream Deferred 1951

"Harlem" Dream Deferred.
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?
- Langston Hughes, 1951

symbols, imagery and wordplay
The speaker asks what happens if dreams are postponed.
He offers some possible answers to his question.

He offers some possible answers to his question.
dry up like raisins in the sun
they fester like sores
rot like meat
get all crusty, like sugary syrup left out
sag like a heavy load
dreams explode

"What happens when dreams are put on hold?"
This imagery remind us of everyday, ordinary tasks as eating, cooking, cleaning, or carrying something.

It's a poem built of questions, and questions makes us think of uncertainty.

Who else had a dream? Did his dream become a reality?

Analyze a Poem
Who wrote these?
Why did he write these?
What is the subject of the poems?
What feeling do you get about the subject?
Are these poems, what makes them poetry?
How do we understand poetry?

Compare a poem
How can you take a poem and analyze it both literally and figuratively?
How can you compare two poems?
How can you write an analytical paper comparing two poems while factoring in details from the poet’s life?

This is how.
Use the process of breaking down a poem
List key points of each poem
Circle three similarities.
Write a paragraph to show the differences and/or similarities between the two poems

Langston Hughes

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