Langston Hughes' Dream Variations

Throughout the poem, what does Hughes reveal about dreams lost?

• It could weigh a person down or make them feel empty inside.

• It could become more beautiful and sweet

• It could feed the soul and explode into further dreams

• It could keep the person hungry for more

What does the speaker suggest in both stanzas?

• Dreams can be dangerous things to have.

• Dreams help people live life to the fullest.

• Dreams are not valued by everyone.

• Dreams tend to disappoint people.

What is the meaning of "barren" in the following:

"Life is a barren field" ("Dreams" poem)

• cold

• large

• empty

• dry

In this poem, what types of figurative language were used?

• similes and idioms

• metaphors and repetition

• cliches and irony

• onomatopoeia and puns

What is a possible theme of the poem?

• Dreams can lead a person in the wrong direction.

• Dreams can disappoint people.

• Dreams can be difficult to achieve.

• Dreams can give people a purpose in life.

Which type of figurative language is used in the line below:

"Life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly."

• simile

• pun

• repetition

• metaphor

Which type of figurative language is used the in the line below:

"Life is a barren field frozen with snow."

• alliteration

• flashback

• metaphor

• simile

What is a theme (lesson, message) of both poems?

• Holding onto your dreams and not fulfilling them is the key to happiness

• Fulfilling your dreams will not overcome life's pain and suffering

• Without dreams, life can be bleak and without hope

• It is in your best interest to help others to achieve their dreams

Which meaning of defer is found in What happens to a Dream Deferred?

• to put off, postpone

• to submit respectfully

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up

Like a raisin in the sun?

What type of figurative language is NOT found in this excerpt?

• simile

• metaphor

• alliteration

• imagery