Analysis

 

"Dreams" by Langston Hughes

Hold fast to dreams

For it dreams die

Life is a broken-winged bird

That cannot fly

 

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow

 

Published in the May 1923

 

 

Analyzis

 

(TITLE)

the poet mentions the importance of dreams.

He asks the readers and audience to hold their dreams fast i.e. keep dreaming because if dreams die life is a broken-wing bird that cannot fly.

 

(Parahprase)

Hold fast to dreams For if dreams die Life is a broken-winged bird That cannot fly. Hold on tight to dreams Because if dreams die Life is like an injured bird That cannot fly. Hold fast to dreams For when dreams go Life is a barren field Frozen with snow. Hold on tight to dreams Because when dreams are lost Life is like a field with nothing in it -Langston Hughes That is frozen with snow

 

 

(Connotation)

The style and format of "Dreams" reach a broad audience. Because it's so short, it's easy to remember; as a result, the message comes to the forefront and practically anyone who can read can understand it.

Possible literary devices include: symbolism, simile or metaphor, hyperbole. allusion. irony or sarcasm. imagery. point of view.

 

(ATTITUDE)

He compares life without dreams to a broken-winged bird that cannot fly and to a barren field frozen with snow. Since the images are so plain and concrete, the metaphor is clear: life without dreams is no good. This makes the message of the whole poem clear as day: hold on to your dreams, because without them, life is meaningless.

 

 

(SHIFT)

Hughes repeats the line "Hold fast to dreams" at the beginning of each quatrain of "Dreams."

To draw specific attention to an idea

To cast an idea in a new light

Stanza 1: tone-melancholy

Stanza 2: tone-authoritative and more final(less hopeful)

 

 

(TITLE)

The Bird and the Field

"if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly"

 

(THEME)

essentially makes life worth living Hold fast to dreams Subject(s): Dreams/Dreaming, For when dreams go Life, Value Life is a barren field

-Langston Hughes will lead to a good life OR Lack of dreaming, or not having dreams, makes life empty or worthless.

Don't let go of your dreams.