Langston Hughes - Hold Fast to Dreams

In Scene 1, N1 says, “The setting sun casts long shadows, making the boys seem taller than they are.” What is the symbolic meaning of this line?

• The kids in Langston’s neighborhood are not as important or powerful as they seem.

• The boys across the street are younger than Langston thinks.

• The night is full of danger.

• In the morning, Langston will understand why

  his grandmother stopped him from playing.

Which best summarizes the meaning of the poetry at the beginning of Scene 3?

• The world is a harsh place where dreams are easily destroyed.

• Many people have rough fingers

• Dreams are as fragile as clouds.

• The world needs more dreamers.

Why does Langston’s mom want him to give up his dream of being a poet?

• She doesn’t think he is talented.

• She doesn’t want him to move to Harlem.

• She doesn’t think he’ll make enough money to live on as a poet.

• When she was younger, she also wanted to be a poet—but she failed.

The photo caption on page 19 describes Harlem as a “vibrant” place, meaning that

• brightly colored buildings lined its streets

• Harlem was full of life and energy.

• Harlem was overcrowded.

• Harlem was an expensive neighborhood.

According to the play, how did Langston’s grandmother affect him?

• She helped him understand his mother’s point

  of view, even if he didn’t agree with it.

• She encouraged him to become a poet.

• She instilled pride in him and helped him rise

  above those who tried to bring him down.

• She taught him that family is the most

  important thing in life.

What is the main purpose of the Epilogue?

• To inform readers that Langton wrote plays, novels, and essays as well as poems.

• To compare Langston’s work to the work of other poets.

• To provide readers with information about Langston’s success and his effect on the world.

• To inform readers of Langston’s death.

the unfair treatment of a group of people because of their race, gender, religion, age, or other characteristics

• feverishly

• discrimination

• prolific

• segregate

to separate one type of thing from another

• resentment

• discriminate

• segregate

• prejudice

a feeling of deep, bitter anger toward someone who has treated you unfairly or in a way that is harmful or insulting

• resentment

• fleeting

• prolific

• feverishly

something that was declining in popularity and importance becomes popular and important again

• segregate

• discrimination

• feverishly

• renaissance