Tuesday, November 5, 2013

In the poem "Harlem" by Langston Hughes, what literary element best supports the central idea? Explain.

Throughout the poem, Langston Hughes is using comparisons to show what could happen if one defers or puts off one’s dreams. Hughes compares that deferred dream to a dried up “raisin in the sun,” to a festering sore, to the stench of rotten meat, to a crusting over of syrup, to a heavy load, and finally, to something that will explode. All of these comparisons use a figure of speech called a simileto get...

Throughout the poem, Langston Hughes is using comparisons to show what could happen if one defers or puts off one’s dreams. Hughes compares that deferred dream to a dried up “raisin in the sun,” to a festering sore, to the stench of rotten meat, to a crusting over of syrup, to a heavy load, and finally, to something that will explode. All of these comparisons use a figure of speech called a simile to get across the main idea of the poem. According to Hughes, one must not put off one’s dreams if they want to experience any success or fulfillment. He urges other African Americans to hold onto their dreams and not let them become a burden. His use of literary devices, primarily the simile, provides imagery and a different way of looking at what can happen if one defers their hopes and wishes by comparing dreams to something other than what it is, a physical thing.

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