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Poet's Journal 5.4

Last updated about 4 years ago

3 questions

Answer the following questions.  You may look back at the poem "Harlem" or other Poet's Journal pages as you work. 

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Question 1

1.

Langston Hughes published "Harlem" in 1951. Based on what you know about how Harlem changes between 1920 and 1950, why might he think of the Harlem neighborhood as a place where people's hopes and dreams were deferred.

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Question 2

2.

Look back at your chart of similes from the previous lesson. (p.47-49 in your poet's journal) Most of the similes Hughes uses describe things that sound bad- things stink and fester. Why might he use all these similes to describe a deferred dream?

Question 3

3.

If Hughes had the chance to give people advice on how to live, what do you think he would tell them about following their dreams? Make sure your answer includes a reason from the poem.