The Harlem Renaissance & the Civil Rights Unit

Read the excerpt from “I Dream a World” by Langston Hughes.

A world I dream where black or white,

Whatever race you be,

Will share the bounties of the earth

And every man is free,

Where wretchedness will hang its head

And joy, like a pearl,

Attends the needs of all mankind—

Of such I dream, my world!

Based on the dreams that the speaker describes, it is reasonable to infer that the speaker

• is hopeful all people will experience the same freedoms he enjoys.

• will do whatever is necessary to gain equality for all.

• lives in a time and place where equality does not exist.

• has given up the idea that one day all people will be treated the same.

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

Ain't got nobody in all this world,

Ain't got nobody but ma self.

I’s gwine to quit ma frownin'

And put ma troubles on the shelf.

What is the effect of repeating the phrase “ain't got nobody” in the poem?

• It emphasizes the theme of sorrow and melancholy in the poem.

• It illustrates the singer's reluctance to perform the blues.

• It shows the singer's desire to connect to other musicians.

• It personifies the singer's thoughts and emotions.

Read the descriptions of rhyme schemes below.

Free verse: poetry that does not use a consistent rhyme scheme

Iambic pentameter: a poetic rhyme scheme in which each rhyming line has ten syllables

Blank verse: poetry that uses unrhymed iambic pentameter

Rhyming couplets: a series of two consecutive lines that rhyme in a poem

Based on the descriptions, what rhyme scheme does the poem "Harlem" use?

“Harlem”

by 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?

• free verse

• iambic pentameter

• blank verse

• couplets

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

He made that poor piano moan with melody.

O Blues!

Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool

He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.

Sweet Blues!

Coming from a black man's soul.

O Blues!

The phrases “O Blues!” and “Sweet Blues!” are examples of

• alliteration.

• repetition.

• hyperbole.

• simile.

What effect does Hughes achieve by repeating the phrase "does it" in "Harlem"?

“Harlem”

by 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.

• Short words and hard consonants create a sense of angry uncertainty.

• Short words and questions demonstrate Hughes's confidence.

• The repetition creates a sense of peace and serenity for the reader.

• The repetition highlights Hughes’s feelings of self-respect.

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

He made that poor piano moan with melody.

O Blues!

Swaying to and fro on his rickety stool

He played that sad raggy tune like a musical fool.

Sweet Blues!

Coming from a black man's soul.

O Blues!

In a deep song voice with a melancholy tone

I heard that Negro sing, that old piano moan—

"Ain't got nobody in all this world,

Ain't got nobody but ma self.

I’s gwine to quit ma frownin'

And put ma troubles on the shelf."

What is the effect of repeating the phrase “piano moan” in the poem?

• It sets a sad, mournful tone.

• It adds a cheerful, melodic chord.

• It adds an open, musical sound.

• It sets an angry, discordant tone.

“Harlem”

by 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?

The speaker’s tone in "Harlem" is best described as

• frustrated.

• conflicted

• joyful.

• accepting.

Read the excerpt from "Harlem."

Does it stink like rotten meat?

Or crust and sugar over-

like a syrupy sweet?

Read the excerpt from "The Weary Blues."

Droning a drowsy syncopated tune

Rocking back and forth to a mellow croon

In both poems, Hughes uses the imagery to...

• establish tone.

• offer background information.

• convey a criticism.

• conjure pleasant memories.

Read this line from "Harlem."

Or does it explode?

Read this line from "The Weary Blues."

Thump, thump, thump, went his foot on the floor.

What sense do both of these lines rely on?

• the sense of touch

• the sense of hearing

• the sense of sight

• the sense of smell

“Harlem”

by 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?

The speaker in "Harlem" contemplates...

• the outcome of people’s hatred.

• the fate of aspirations that are unrealized.

• the result of heavy labor in extreme conditions.

• the consequences of childhood neglect.