This is an analysis of the poem Dream Deferred that begins with:

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up...

Elements of the verse: questions and answers

The information we provided is prepared by means of a special computer program. Use the criteria sheet to understand greatest poems or improve your poetry analysis essay.

  • Rhyme scheme: aXbXbcXcXaa
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 11,
  • Closest metre: iambic trimeter
  • Сlosest rhyme: alternate rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: sonnet
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 11000101 1011 1010001 110101 111 1011101 1111010 101001 10011 10101 11001
  • Amount of stanzas: 1
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 249
  • Average number of words per stanza: 51
  • Amount of lines: 11
  • Average number of symbols per line: 22 (very short strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 5
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The speaker asks many questions. Perhaps, he or she is in confusion.

If you write a school or university poetry essay, you should Include in your explanation of the poem:

  • summary of Dream Deferred;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by Langston Hughes