Hughes begins his poem in a strange way by arranging the words "deferred dream" and using "dream deferred" instead, which makes us realize that we are not in the world of logical principles, but rather a world of poetry that helps us find the truth and oneself. The arrangement of “dream deferred” doesn’t tell the reader information about something, but makes the reader ask questions about why he chose that title. Hughes made the reader pay closer attention due to the title because he did not follow the status quo of literature. Perhaps Hughes being an African American he tried to establish that he will not follow the rules that have placed against, but follow his own. By beginning the poem with a question, “What happens to a dream deferred?”
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Hughes says, “Does it dry up”, (Hughes 2) which creates the image of a dream being a living organism or the beholders themselves. The first idea that comes to mind would be that the organisms lose their moisture or water and become small and withered representing the life of the dream being drained. This line makes the reader think of deserts and summer and heat. This also creates the idea that when we hold off our dreams they go to a harsh area where they start losing their life. Hughes follows with “like a raisin in the sun?”, (Hughes 3) comparing raisins to dreams or the owners of the dreams. Raisins start off as grapes and they become raisins by sitting in the sun for a long time eventually losing their moisture. Hughes uses raisins because they are less appealing than grapes. Grapes have potential in being a good snack or even becoming a luxurious wine, while raisins don’t because they are small and dried up. Hughes tries to tell the reader that a dream no matter the size will become something great unless it is left alone to fade away. The line itself has been used by famous American playwright Loraine Hansberry to title her play, A Raisin in the Sun. This play became one of the most beloved works in American theater because it captures the deferred dreams of a black family living in Chicago during the
Hughes says, “Does it dry up”, (Hughes 2) which creates the image of a dream being a living organism or the beholders themselves. The first idea that comes to mind would be that the organisms lose their moisture or water and become small and withered representing the life of the dream being drained. This line makes the reader think of deserts and summer and heat. This also creates the idea that when we hold off our dreams they go to a harsh area where they start losing their life. Hughes follows with “like a raisin in the sun?”, (Hughes 3) comparing raisins to dreams or the owners of the dreams. Raisins start off as grapes and they become raisins by sitting in the sun for a long time eventually losing their moisture. Hughes uses raisins because they are less appealing than grapes. Grapes have potential in being a good snack or even becoming a luxurious wine, while raisins don’t because they are small and dried up. Hughes tries to tell the reader that a dream no matter the size will become something great unless it is left alone to fade away. The line itself has been used by famous American playwright Loraine Hansberry to title her play, A Raisin in the Sun. This play became one of the most beloved works in American theater because it captures the deferred dreams of a black family living in Chicago during the