Analysis: "Harlem" by Langston Hughes is a poem that explores the frustration and disappointment of African Americans living in a segregated society. The poem asks a series of questions about what happens to dreams that are deferred, suggesting that they may wither and die like a raisin in the sun. The poem begins by asking, "What happens to a dream deferred?" and goes on to present a series of possible outcomes. For example, the dream might "dry up like a raisin in the sun" or "fester like a sore." The poem then asks if the deferred dream "sags like a heavy load" or "explodes." Through these powerful images, Hughes captures the sense of hopelessness and frustration that African Americans felt during the era of segregation. The dream of equality and justice seemed always just out of reach, and many people felt that their aspirations would never be realized. The final line of the poem, "Or does it explode?", is partic...