An extension of the poem by Langston Hughes Adapted from Mensa for Kids by Sherilyn Hansen.

An extension of the poem by

Langston HughesAdapted from Mensa for Kids by Sherilyn Hansen

Dream Deferred

Follow the slides in order at your own pace.

Read “Dream Deferred” by Langston Hughes

Answer the questions in complete sentences (the what). Provide details to show evidence of high level thinking (the how and why). Most answers will be in the form of a short paragraph.

Directions

A phrase connoting hope for prosperity and happiness, often symbolized by having a house of one’s own. It was first applied to immigrants, and now embodies the idea that one’s children’s social and economic condition will be better than one’s own.

The American Dream

utopia: a perfect place dystopia: a place of miseryvice: immoral conductsavage: uncivilized or wildpastoral: country settingconsummation: to bring to completion or

perfectiondesolation: ruin

Vocabulary to know beforehand:

Dream Deferred

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry uplike a raisin in the sun?

Does it 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 just explode?

1. This poem was published in 1951. What happened after that in America that seems like a fulfillment of Hughes’ idea?

2. According to the poem, what does timing have to do with dreams?

3. In what way can the American Dream become dystopic?

Format your answers as short paragraphs.

The following series of paintings by Thomas Cole are based on a poem by Byron. The poem is about the rise and fall of humanity.

There was the moral of all human tales;This but the same rehearsal of the past

First Freedom, then Glory: when that failsWealth, vice, corruption

The Course of the Empireby Thomas Cole

4. Paraphrase the poem by Byron. 5. Describe an instance whereby something good was achieved, only to have it turn into something bad. You may draw from history or a personal event.6. Study the series of paintings that comprise Thomas Cole’s work, The Course of the Empire. Answer the questions above each painting; they will help you with the next section.

Directions

The Course of the Empire- Savage State Pay attention to the mountain in the background and the position of the sun. Notice the figures in the foreground. What feelings does the painting evoke?

The Course of the Empire-Pastoral State Notice we have the same mountain in the background and that the sun is higher in the sky. Pay attention to the figures in the foreground. What feelings does the painting evoke?

The Course of the Empire-Consummation of the Empire Notice we have the same mountain in the background and that the sun is at the zenith of the sky. Pay attention to the figures in the foreground. What feelings does the painting evoke?

The Course of the Empire-Destruction Pay attention to the mountain in the background and the tumultuous sky. Notice the figures in the foreground. What feelings does the painting evoke?

The Course of the Empire-Desolation Notice the mountain in the background. The moon has replaced the sun. Notice the details in the foreground. What feelings does the painting evoke?

7. Which paintings are utopic? Which are dystopic?8. How can the paintings be an appropriate metaphor for the rise and fall of America?9. What stage do you think America is in today:

9a. socially?9b. environmentally?9c. economically?9d. politically?

10. Do you think the American Dream exists today? Defend your answer with sound reasoning.

11. Assuming it will be achievable, describe your vision of the American dream as it applies to you.

Based on your analysis of the poems and the paintings and connecting them to current events:

Proofread your answers. Be sure you wrote paragraphs that contain complete sentences.

Staple the pages together.Write your name and period # on the first

page.Write “Dream Deferred” PowerPoint as the

title.Place your homework in your binder so you

can turn it in on time.

You are finished!