Analysis and styles used
Harlem is a poem written by Mr Langston Hughes back in the year 1951 to discuss the injustices happening to the black Americans. All the inequalities in the provision of services were based on race making the black Americans see themselves as second class citizens. Hughes felt the need to fight racial injustice within the community he was living in because inequity made it hard for the normal black citizens to achieve their dreams.
Dreams attached to the black Americans are hard to achieve especially in a community where only one set of individuals is favoured by the government policies. Mr Hughes explains how the fellow black Americans have big dreams and visions for a better future and a community which will offer justice to all without racial segregation. He further explains that blacks are fighting for what is rightfully theirs. Hughes explains that the dreams of black Americans are already delayed.
He uses comparison to emphasize the black citizen dream and the effects of delayment. The dream is compared to a sore which once is left unattended to for long becomes worse (line 4). The dream is further compared to a syrup sweet (line 8) meaning once upon a time the dreams were sweet but the energy was not put towards achieving them. (line 6) Like rotten meat, it means that this treasured foodstuff has been forgotten for long enough until it is now beyond consumption state. The use of foodstuffs puts more emphasis because this is known as a source of energy to all and if not used the effects are detrimental. The dream sag like a heavy load meaning the weight of deferring the dreams can bring down the future of the black African citizens. (Line 9-10)
Reference
Best, W. D. (2017). Langston’s salvation: American religion and the bard of Harlem. NYU Press.