"Dream Deferred" by Langston Hughes

# 11

Sure the similes add character to dreams that are postponed; the similes give a negative connotation to the positive idea of having dreams. But it was the metaphor at the end which stuck out to me:

"Or does it explode?"

Not only is it italicized, but the metaphor is saved for the very end of the poem. No explanation is given for the explosion of a dream, but the image is vivid. The metaphor is presented to propose the worst possible cause of a deferred dream: violence. "Explode" connotes a destructive meaning of the dream. Since Hughes sought equal rights for blacks, it can be inferred but not necessarily justified that he wrote this with the dream of equality in mind. If the dream is put off too long, people might become weary about the fight for equal civil rights. But if the dream festers and then explodes, the search and yearning for equality might result in violence. Langston Hughes foresaw violence that would come after his time.

"The Convergence of the Twain"

# 11

The "dim moon-eyed fish" are a metaphor for ignorant people. These fish swim by without taking notice to the ship, kind of like attention not being paid to some key points of the ship when it was being built (for instance, putting enough life boats aboard). These fish represent the ignorant people who built the ship, focusing on the grandiose and less on the safety of its passengers. The builders and engineers didn't prepare for the disaster which unfolded.

The "mirrors" are meant to be blocked from looking in as the sea-worm crawls over them. The mirrors are blurred just as the builders vision was blurred in seeing hazards.

I also like the lines that went "The Immanent Will that stirs and urges everything Prepared a sinister mate For her- so gaily- great" because the ice burg which ultimately destroyed the ship was the evil mate of the ship bringing it to its demise.