HARLEM
(A Dream Deferred)
--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?
Discuss: “A Dream Deferred”
1) Explain what is meant by “A Dream Deferred”
2) Give an example of this from the story “A Raisin in the Sun.”
3) Give an example from your life.
4) Now that you have shared, what do you want your audience to do
when it comes to their own dreams?
A dream deferred is a dream delayed, or set aside for other things in the moment. In "A Raisin In The Sun", Walter's dream was derailed by a shifty man who stole all of the family's money. In my life, my dreams are deferred by the natural priorities of life; Work, school, and other things that seem to take the time away from my own self interests. If I had any advice for my readers, it would be this: Don't let anything stand in the way of your dreams, there can be some disturbances and distractions, but never let them take you away from the ultimate goal of your design: Dreams Fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I never see myself doing the things I love everyday anymore. It just turns that way when more important things arrive, and I'm scared that I'll never be able to have fun again because of these responsibilities
DeleteI disagree with some of your wording. Not sure if this was your intention. It kind of sounded like school was doing you an injustice when it is getting you to a point where you can, realistically, follow your dreams. it is preparing you for the world to come. hang in there, school isn't so bad.
DeleteThe unknown comment is from Brooklyn btw
DeleteI agree with your statement. Even though something delayed/postponed your ultimate goal; you should never give up. Things can be tough, you just have to work through it.
Delete1. A dream that is put off or delayed .
ReplyDelete2. Beneatha's dream was to become a doctor but it was put off because walter lost the money .
3.an example of my life is i wanted to do track last year but i was failing my classes so i couldn't.
4.follow you dreams dont let yours self fall short .
A similar situation happened to me last year, except doing my sport while trying to juggle my grades was starting to become tiresome, however I started to get back onto my feet later.
Delete1) I think "A Dream Deffered" means you have to choose whether you want to continue on with your dream or give up on it, it's either or.
ReplyDelete2) Walter's liquor shop dream was one of these dreams. He had to choose between whether he wanted to go behind his mother's and sister's back and use all the money on his shop, or do the right thing and split it.
3) One from my life would be doing the Dracula play, because I could either stick with something that was a mess and commit to it, or I could've left it and gave up on it because nobody else had hope and it was something easy to leave.
4) What we can take away from this is thinking about what we're committing ourselves to. We shouldn't jump into something and then disconnect yourself from what you started all because it gets to be too much. You should decide whether you want to do something before you start it.
I agree with what you said about the Dracula play, I didn't audition for the Dracula play but I have been in a situation where I had to decide whether or not I wanted to be apart of something even though I knew it was falling apart.
Deletefailures pave the way to success and although Dracula was a train wreck, I've learned so much that i wouldn't have learned otherwise. Trying even though the outcome is uncertain is what matters. i like how you commit to things that you didn't have to just because you were seeing a need and filling it.
DeleteThis one above is also mine
DeleteI totally agree with the fact that we shouldn't disconnect ourselves from what we're trying to achieve because if we're truly committed we would do everything in our heart to try and fulfill whatever we set our minds to.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI agree that minor inconveniences shouldn't affect your dreams, they only effect you if you allow them.
Delete1. I think it means that the author is asking what will happen to a dream on hold/postponed
ReplyDelete2. Well walter wanted to open a business in order to be like a "rich white boy" but because he lost the money he couldn't start his plan at which couldn't make his dream come true.
3. I wanted to act ever since I was little but my mom wanted me to study as a doctor I guess it was her words over mine... For now.
4. Have patience, faith and never let anyone stand in the way of your dream because it's yours.
-Mackida mclean
I agree with what you said about having patience and faith. Because it's really true and most people don't remember just how important it is.
DeleteI agree with having faith and patience, because everything is not going to happen all at once or when you want it to.
DeleteThe word "deferred" is defined as 'postponed'. So to me, " A Dream Deferred" means a late dream or a postponed dream. I would say an example of that in "A Raisin in the Sun" would be when Walter was anxiously waiting for the check. He was so excited and nervous waiting her his mothers check. He waited and waited until his mother finally gave it to him, even though he did something foolish with it. As for an example from my life, getting my license would be mine. I should be getting my license next month, but because of my procrastination there's a possibility for it to be postponed. I might not get in all my required driving hours because it "wasn't that important". So what I want you to take from this is that, don't procrastinate something that you need or want. You could end up later regretting it.
ReplyDeleteI agree with procrastination and how that can negatively effect what you want. I have also procrastinated and have had to put my dreams to rest.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really relate to your experience of loving sports but not being able to join because of an injury. It is much more devastating than most people think. But how sometimes a broken dream can lead to something better I think is a beautifully true statement. Sometimes you don't see what you really enjoy because you are too focused on something else.
DeleteA dream deferred is a dream that has been been delayed or detained from that person achieving it. It could also mean that the dream was never met. It doesn't necessarily mean that the dream has ended, it could also just mean the dream was set aside.
ReplyDeleteAn example of this from "A Raisin In The Sun" is when Beneatha wanted to go off to college to become a doctor but it was delayed because Walter gave all the money away to a guy to invest in a liquor shop, who then ends up stealing all of their money.
A dream that was deferred in my life was as a freshman in high school, I wanted to play varsity basketball. I was on the right track to achieving that dream but the my coach told me that I was too small to play on that level.
What I want you to do with your own dreams is to continue to chase them and don't quit because your dreams aren't going to chase you. Have faith and believe in yourself because if you don't no one else will. Just keep pushing despite what anybody tells you.
I agree with "continue to chase them and don't quit because your dreams aren't going to chase you" because if you don't put any effort in to make your dream come true it wont.
DeleteA dream deferred is when a dream is deterred from its goal. it is a dream unfulfilled or held back. An example of this in the movie "A Raisin In The Sun" is when Walter loses the insurance money he received from his fathers death. He loses the money that would be put towards his liquor shop as well as the money towards the family's education. Another example of deferred dream is one from a few years back. I was six years old and ashamed that i was the only one of my siblings, at the time, who couldn't ride a bike without training wheels. I longed to be with the "big kids". Although i wanted to ride a bike i was too scared to get on it without the safety of the wheels. Because i was too scared and refused to get out of my comfort zone, it took me until I was eleven years old to get on that bike. If you dream of doing something, do it. It won't come naturally but you just have to be willing to put effort into it like anything else. You have to get outside your comfort zone, maybe look like an idiot, and keep going. The outcome is worth the momentary struggle.
ReplyDelete-Brooklyn Farnsley
Delete1) It is referring to a dream that has been dashed by someone, something,or some circumstance.
ReplyDelete2) When Beneatha expresses a dream of being a doctor and going to school, she is told that it'd be to expensive, and to hard for her to succeed.
3) I've expressed multiple times to my family, I want to grow up to be an animator, and provide entertainment through cartoons. I've been told multiple times that it'd be to difficult and its rare for people to make a living off of art.
4) When you think of something you want to do with your life, make your passion your career. Make it something you love doing, and something you look forward to everyday.
I do not completely agree. Animation can be a hobby, like many other things. You could have a job with something you are interested with, but also have animation as a passion. It doesn't mean you can't make a living or not do animation as a job. This is always a suggestion when you are getting on with your life.
Deleteyour wording for a dream deferred is a bit vague and its not very into depth. i liked that you didn't go for the same answer as anybody else though. I have also seen some of your art and think you should pursue your dreams. I like how you said you were going to go against what people might say and all the challenges along the way. Everybody loves a rebel
ReplyDeletethe comment above is mine
ReplyDeleteA Dream Deferred refers to the dreams and goals in life that are never met. Whether it's because you are too scared to, or you think you simply can not. And they are just left there to dry up and never see the light of day. Many people around the world have deferred dreams, and they think that their lives are destined to be average, but that is no where close to the truth.
ReplyDeleteAn example from A Raisin in the Sun would be, when Ruth wants to move out of the old four family apartments but Walter does not want to. Some could say that this would be an example because it was a dream of Ruth's and she never thought it would come true. Another example would be when Walter wanted to invest in his business and gives every last penny he owned to Bobo and sadly slick willy ran with the money leaving Bobo and Walter in the poor and in the dust.
An example of a deferred dream in my life would be how I always wanted to go to an I.V. college but I never thought I would be able to, so I never really tried in high school. Now that I am a senior I regret that choice. I am going to try my absolute hardest this school year in order to get into an at least decent college. I have received my fathers G.I. bill and I intend to put that to good use.
Now that I have shared what I have done in my life and about my dreams, I would like for the people reading this to truly follow their dreams and fight for everything they want to do. Don't let minor inconveniences get in the way of you living you life to the fullest. I also want you to take risks and do things you don't think you're ready for, because this will allow you to grow and gain experience for the next time and for the time after that.
1.) For a dream to be deferred means to have a dream delayed or put on hold. Like postponing it due to a certain situation. If you're dream is deferred it is pushed to the side.
ReplyDelete2.) One example from "Raisin in the Sun" could be Bennie. Bennie's dream was to go to school and get an education to become a doctor. Unfortunately her dream was "deferred" because her brother Walter had lost the money that was given to them from their father for her schooling.
3.) An example from my life could be me trying out for a team in Germany during competition season. I trained every day throughout the year for that. But that dream was deferred a week before my tryout after injuring myself because I thought the harder I trained, my chances of getting selected would be better.
4.) I want my audience to understand that it's okay to be afraid. It's okay to be uncertain but don't let the fear of unknowing get in the way of you following your heart and your dreams. Don't let fear ad insecurity be the reason why your dream is deferred.
^^^ That was Jaynie Burrage
Delete1) A Dream Deferred could mean a dream that a person gives up.
ReplyDelete2) A dream that someone gave up in "A Raisin in the Sun" would be Beneatha's dream of being a doctor since they lost the insurance money.
3) A dream I've deferred is being carefree person, since I've realised that won't help me in life.
4)Follow your dreams and don't get discouraged when an inconveince shows up.
1) A dream deferred also means a dream delayed and in terms of this story, it refers to a dream that doesn't happen.
ReplyDelete2) An example of a dream deferred in "A Raisin in the Sun" could be Walter's dream of being able to provide for his family with a good paying business.
3) An example in my own life of a dream deferred would be that of building my own computer, for over two years, I had always want to get the experience of building my own PC. There were times where I thought it would never happen but through hard work and earning money, I was able to accomplish what I wanted.
4) When it comes to your own dreams, I feel as if everyone should strive to reach their goal, there may be times like my own where they believe doing that feat doesn't seem possible, but as long as you put enough work into it, it can happen.
I agree with you that sometimes it doesn't seem like what you want to achieve is possible until you just keep trying. Then after a while and maybe a break what you want becomes possible.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete"A Dream Deferred" is talking about where the dreams you leave behind go, or where will they go when left behind. Deferred means put off and postponed.You have put off these dreams, but with the possibility of them coming back. Where they will go because of the improbable actions you or others take.Your actions and other people's actions can defer your dreams.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie "A Raisin in the Sun", Beneatha has dreams to become a doctor. Her dream was at first postponed due to not having enough money. When that money was finally available, it was thrown away. At that point her dream was again deferred because of someones actions.
I have always wanted to drive. I sadly get very anxious even thinking about getting behind the wheel. My dream of driving has been postponed until I get enough courage to get behind the wheel. I need to let go of my fears and just do what I want to do.
Now, when it comes to your own dreams you have to make it a reality. You have to do everything in your power, of course within reason, to make your dream happen. Don't let the people around you push you to give up your dream. This is your choice in what your dreams are, no one else has any say in what you want.
1) What is meant by the term "A Dream Deferred" is a dream that a person has that is derailed, put off or even one that they have gotten rid of completely. This could be due to a multitude of reasons. Sometimes things come up in a persons life that just slow down or put off what they have in their head. What they want can't get accomplished at that time or near future. It might even be the person who wants a dream but it falls off because maybe it wasn't what they really wanted or needed.
ReplyDelete2) There are many examples of a dream deferred in the story "A Raisin in the Sun". One of the examples could be with Ruth and her wanting to move out of their two bedroom apartment where they had to share a bathroom with the rest of the building. She never thought that her dream would ever come true because of the income that the Younger family made. When she had found out that Mama had bought them a house her dream had finally come true but was deferred when Mr. Linder wanted to buy the house back. It was also deferred by Walter wanting to sell it back and them losing the insurance money.
3) One dream that got deferred was that I wanted to join track and field when I joined high school since I love to run. In middle school I had really bad pain when I walked that shot up my leg. When I had went to the doctor they told me that I had Plantar Fasciitis and that I wouldn't be able to join track because of the stress that it would put on my feet, especially my heels.
4) What I would like you to take away and use in your life about your own dreams is to just always try your best. Fight for what you want with everything you have but sure that what you want is realistic. Always shoot as high as you can and with hard work and faith in yourself you will be able to do anything you put your mind to. You always need to believe in yourself and what you want to achieve. That is a big reason that people don't ever get to do the things they want. They don't trust or believe in themselves enough. Don't let people say that you can't do anything.
~JayJay Soto
A dream deferred is when you put the dream on hold or you put it aside because you cant get to it or you have to get there in a more difficult way to get to your dream.
ReplyDeleteWalter lee losing the money for his shop, Lena younger having to not retire when she wanted to, Beantha younger going to med school, and Ruth having to get rid of the baby. Most of the problems were mostly cause by the money being gone.
I had a dream to become a pro fighter but I put the dream aside but the dream died to me finding a different passion and it not helping me to become a better person in society.Also me being in a military life me and having friends wasn't easy because I moved a lot so my dream of having a good friend or friends was put on hold until I came to clarksville.
I want people to understand putting dreams aside or on hold is fine sometimes its what has to be done because you either need to focus on something else or you cant get to it at the moment.Also having dreams die is also fine dreams die everyday either it be small or big.
A dream deferred refers to a dream being postponed or completely stopped. There are many influences in life that could cause this. People have certain responsibilities in life that require them to shift their focus away from their dream. You can't always chase it sometimes you have to let it go as a sacrifice for something or someone else in your life. Life goes on whether you have a dream or not.
ReplyDelete"Raisin in The Sun has a multitude of deferred dreams in it. There's Walter Lee's dream of running a liquor store being crushed by slick Willie who steals the money. Beneatha's dream of becoming a doctor being postponed because of Walter Lee getting all the money stolen. Travis even had a deferred dream because he wanted fifty cents but his mom didn't want to give it to him. His dad ended up giving him the money so it was only postponed. The story even if it's things of little importance or a life-changing situation there are many delayed or crushed dreams.
My dad talked about some of his dreams when I was younger. My dad wanted to play football professionally but he didn't have the grades to pursue it and he had me so he had to focus on me instead of his dream. He always teaches me to find what I love to do and pursue it so it won't feel like work. He has wanted to live a comfortable life and not a check to check life. He can't do what he wants because he lives check to check working two jobs. So I always try to listen to his advice because it's from personal experience.
Dreams are something that everyone should have even if you can't always pursue them. You can't choose what life brings you but you can choose how you react to it. You should follow your dreams cause if you don't who will. It's not something you can wait for someone else to do.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletelife*
Delete"A Dream Deferred" means that a dream is postponed. It could end up never happening, or being even better than it originally would've been.
ReplyDeleteA dream that was deferred in A Raisin in the Sun would be Lena's dream. She was the mother of Beneatha and Walter and the grandmother to Travis Younger. Her dream was to retire, pay for Beneatha's school, Travis's house, and place some aside for future needs. She trusted the money to Walter, feeling he would do the right thing. Walter ended up spending it all, including Beneatha's school, on a liquor store. Willy, the man the money was given to, ran off with it.
A dream I had that got deferred was sports. I loved sports and being active when I was younger, so I really wanted to start doing them again. but, I started showing symptoms of tendinitis. Tendinitis causes inflammation and swelling at my joints. i couldn't do even a few push ups without the pressure on my wrists starting to make them burn. I decided to try other things. I joined band, but didn't take too much of a liking to it. I'd play as low as possible because I didn't want to be heard. Then, I joined theatre. It has become my favorite class I've ever taken. My "dream" not happening led me to something I loved more.
I want anyone who read this to take away that just because something you want to happen doesn't, doesn't mean something good won't come out of it.
Everyone has a dream that they would like to accomplish or achieve in life. Sometimes things may discourage us to the point where we begin to think that the goal we want to achieve would not happen. Dream Deferred meaning having a toll on a dream.
ReplyDeleteIn the Raisin in The Sun Walter the man of the had a dream an idea , he wanted to make money so him and his family could live lavish. His mom wasn't on board with his idea she basically put a toll on his dream. She made sure that Walter knew that the insurance money would used for something good in the world. Eventually she led up and gave ease to Walter , letting him know that he could use some of the money for his business and the rest for his sister Beneatha.
I have dream to become an actress and live in California . Most people tell me that it is impossible to move to California because of the money and how expensive , they doubt that I will actually do that when I graduate. I shall show the ones that have doubt me. I will push myself everyday in order to accomplish my goal.
I want people to know no matter what somebody says whatever you wanna do you can do it. It may sound a bit cliche but anything is possible and if you wanna achieve something in life achieve it . Its ok to fail because you have to fail in order to succeed , because the ones that succeeded had to fail in order to succeed, don't be afraid, just do it.
At one point in time in everyone's life they will have a dream that they want to accomplish. Deferred means put off (an action or event) to a later time; postpone. Maybe their dream has some requirements that they can't meet or they may choose not to meet. Sometimes your dreams may get put off to a later time in life.
ReplyDeleteIn the movie "A Raisin in the Sun” some of the characters dreams were deferred. For example, Beneatha had a dream of going off to college to become a doctor, but her dreams were deferred when Walter gave the money away that payed her way into college and she was no longer able to go. Another example from the movie was when Walter had a dream of starting his own liquor business but he couldn't because he gave the money away.
I have a dream of going to the national leagues of soccer and nobody believes that i can do it. I will try my best to meet all requirements to reach my goal so that my dreams are not deferred. I believe that i can prove everyone that doubts me wrong.
You can achieve your goals if you put your mind to it and meet all requirements to do so. If people are doubting you, show them that you can do it. you can accomplish anything if you actually try and put your mind to it.
A dream deferred is when a dream is being set back or pushed aside. That doesn't mean the dream is gone. it is just being pushed aside for another time later in the future.
ReplyDeleteAn example of a dream deferred in " A Raisin In The Sun " is when Beneatha wants to go college to become a doctor but her brother Walter gives the money away to invest into a liquor store and the investor steals all of the money. Her dream of becoming a doctor is being pushed back because of this.
An example in my life was when i was little my mom told me we were gonna go to Disney but then we had to use all of our money to move houses. We had to push our trip back.
My advice to my readers is keep dreaming, never give up. Dreams inspire people and they are goals. Dreams are only real if you make it real.
A dream Deferred refers to a dream held off until a later time, meaning either something got in the way from your dream happening and you have to find your way around it. You have to make what you want to happen.
ReplyDeleteFrom "A Raisin In The Sun" Beneatha's dream was deferred when Walter wanted to start a liquor business with all of the money that his dad saved up for him before he died. Then he went behind everyone's back and gave it to this man that could help but then he left town with the money leaving Beneatha without money for school. So therefore, she had to find a way around that.
My life has been deferred when I had a dream to become an actress and be on stage. Then I started looking into schools and looking at housing and colleges. My family doesn’t have that kind of money to provide my schooling and everything. Therefore, I’m going to have to work at 2 jobs or get a scholarship to be able to go to the school that I want. I’m going to have to work even harder for what I want.
What I want for you guys to is first of all Never give up… if you want something you have to strive for it in order to succeed. Yes, my dream was deferred but that just means until a later time or postponed not stopped forever, so overcome the obstacles that come in the way of you living your dream.
"A Dream Deferred" is about the big dream being delayed and postponed to the future. Ruth had a dream to have another child and raise it. Walter had a dream to start a liquor store. One of my dreams that I had in freshman year was to become one of the best swimmers on our swim team. I never pushed myself to become better so I never got better. If I were to push myself and continue to try instead of giving up I would more than likely still be on a swim team. Another dream of mine is to become a better actor. I want to be in more plays and try to audition for every play. Something that might keep me from doing this is my parents not being able to pick me up because they both work late. You should never hold yourself back from perusing a dream of yours.
ReplyDelete