1. Deferred Dreams: This poem explores the idea of dreams being put on hold or delayed, and the potential consequences of not pursuing one's dreams.
2. Frustration: The poem discusses the emotions and feelings associated with not being able to fulfill one's dreams, such as anger, disappointment, and frustration.
3. Decay and Destruction: The poem uses vivid imagery to depict the decay and deterioration of unfulfilled dreams, comparing them to dried up raisins, festering sores, and rotten meat.
4. Resilience: Despite the negative imagery used in the poem, there is also a sense of resilience and strength in the face of deferred dreams, as seen in the final lines about the potential for an explosive outcome.
Themes for this poem
Harlem
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?
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