“What happens to a dream deferred?”
— opening line from the poem “Harlem” by Langston Hughes
- The character Walter in the play “A Raisin in the Sun” dreamt of breaking free from the confines of his life. The impetuous choices he made in an effort to realize that dream nearly destroyed his relationships with his loved ones. However, if he had not acted on the instinct to make his dream a reality, he might have continued to live in frustration and never “become a man.”
- In the poem “The Road Not Taken,” the narrator must decide which path to follow. Both options look good, but neither one guarantees success. He knows that if he makes the wrong choice, he won’t be able to start over. Should he follow the safe, conventional path? Or take a risk and follow his heart?
- The narrator of the poem “The Rose that Grew from Concrete” dreamt about overcoming the obstacles set in his way by society and succeeding on his own terms.
- In “The Story of an Hour,” Mrs. Mallard experienced a brief, but intense dream of a life of freedom after being told that her husband was dead. When that dream was snatched back from her, she herself died.
- Similarly, in the story “Gryphon,” Miss Ferenczi’s unique approach to reality excites Tommy to dream of possibilities beyond the confines of his small, rural town. We don’t know what happens to him after Miss Ferenczi is forced out of the school, but can assume that the loss of his new-found inspiration either destroys his imagination or instigates a life-long curiosity.
Now, I want you to think about your own dreams. What is your “ferocious, all-consuming” dream (in the words of Bethany from the short play “Beauty”)? Maybe you dream of being an NFL star or winning an Academy Award. Maybe you dream of ending world hunger. Travelling to Mars. Finding a long-lost relative. Buying your mom a new car. Being the first female president. Getting married and having a family of your own.
Your assignment is to communicate this dream. And your essay should response to this questions.
- Did you pursue that dream or do you still intend to?
- Did you grow out of it?
- Did you give up on it out of necessity?
- Did you realize that it was unrealistic?
- How does this dream shape who you are?
- If you never pursue this dream, will you “dry up like a raisin in the sun?” “Fester like a sore?” Or will you “explode?”
- Is it better to chase your dream and fail?
- Is it better to have dreamt and lost than never to have dreamt at all?
If you don’t have a specific dream or are not comfortable sharing it, then make one up.
Please reference at least one of the readings in your response.
