1. Literary Device: Simile
Like a metaphor, a simile is a form of figurative language that makes a comparison between two different things. Unlike a metaphor, similes DO use the connective words “like” or “as” to make this comparison.
Example: The sky flowed like a large, blue blanket spread out over the earth.

2. “Harlem” 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?

3. “Harlem” – Author’s Purpose
What is the author’s overall poetic purpose or message? (Hint: What is the meaning of the word deferred?) _________________________________________ _________________________________________ _________________________________________
The word “deferred” means to delay or postpone. Hughes is exploring, through his poetics, the various possible fates of forgotten or delayed dreams.

4. “Harlem” – Author’s Purpose
Through the use of similes (and one metaphor), list the various objects that the poet compares to delayed dreams. Beside each object, list any details provided about the object and the senses to which these objects and details appeal.
A raisin - in the sun, dried (sight, taste, touch)
A sweet – syrupy, crusted, sugary (taste, touch, sight)
A sore – running (touch, sight, smell)
A load – heavy, sagging (touch, sight)
A bomb – exploding (touch, sight)
Meat – rotten, stinking (sight, smell, taste)
Which of these is an example of a metaphor?

5. “Harlem” – Author’s Purpose
What kind of connotation or tone do all of these objects convey? ______________________________________ ______________________________________
How do the various similes and metaphor directly help to communicate the poet’s main message? How do they impact the reader’s experience? ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________
The tone of the various objects is extremely negative. All seem to suggest a sense of ruination or destruction.
By attacking the reader’s senses with multiple items to connect to an abstract concept, the poet is able to create myriad concrete impressions concerning faded dreams.

6. Answer the essay question below:
In Langston Hughes’ “Harlem”, the poet contemplates the fate of forgotten dreams. Write a well-organized response, complete with relevant text evidence and insightful commentary, explaining how the author uses figurative language to achieve this artistic purpose.
Red – Major Writing Task
Blue – Minor Insights/Instructions