During this class period, students are writing personal responses to Langston Hughes' "A Dream Deferred," the poem that begins Lorrainne Hansberry's play, "A Raisin in the Sun." You learn that students will begin reading this play shortly.

Take a few moments to read and analyze the poem below.

"A Dream Deferred"
Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
like a raisin in the sun?
Or 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 explode?

Discuss the poem and your interpretations and responses before reading three of Mr. Poetry-Pro's students' responses.