Question

Read the excerpt from “I Dream a World” by Langston Hughes.

A world I dream where black or white,
Whatever race you be,
Will share the bounties of the earth
And every man is free,
Where wretchedness will hang its head
And joy, like a pearl,
Attends the needs of all mankind—
Of such I dream, my world!

Based on the dreams that the speaker describes, it is reasonable to infer that the speaker
is hopeful all people will experience the same freedoms he enjoys.
will do whatever is necessary to gain equality for all.
lives in a time and place where equality does not exist.

Answer 1

lives in a time and place where equality does not exist.

Reason: The speaker frames equality as a future dream ("A world I dream… Of such I dream"), implying it is not the present reality. The poem expresses hope for change rather than stating current enjoyment of equal freedoms or a promise to take whatever actions are necessary.