Mygatt test

English

Imagery

Vivid and descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Hughes uses concrete images to evoke feelings and provoke thought about dreams and their consequences.

Metaphor

A comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as.' The poem compares deferred dreams to various troubling images, suggesting deeper meanings.

Simile

A comparison using 'like' or 'as.' Hughes uses similes to draw parallels between deferred dreams and negative outcomes, emphasizing the pain of unfulfilled aspirations.

Personification

Attributing human qualities to nonhuman things. The dreams in the poem are treated as entities that can be deferred, creating a sense of urgency and emotional weight.

Rhetorical Question

A question asked for effect rather than to elicit an answer. Hughes employs rhetorical questions to provoke thought and reflect the uncertainty of what happens to deferred dreams.

Symbolism

The use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. In the poem, various images (like a 'raisin in the sun') symbolize the effects of unfulfilled dreams.

Alliteration

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely positioned words. Hughes uses alliteration to create rhythm and enhance the musical quality of the poem.

Assonance

The repetition of vowel sounds in nearby words. This device helps to create a lyrical quality and reinforce the poem's themes.

Tone

The attitude of the speaker toward the subject. The tone of 'Harlem' shifts between contemplative, melancholic, and urgent, reflecting the complexities of deferred dreams.

Theme

The central idea or message of the poem. In 'Harlem,' themes of aspiration, frustration, and the consequences of unfulfilled dreams are explored.

Enjambment

The continuation of a sentence or thought beyond the end of a line or stanza. Hughes uses enjambment to create flow and maintain the poem's momentum.

Juxtaposition

Placing contrasting ideas or images close together for effect. The contrasting images of dreams and their deterioration heighten the poem's emotional impact.

Stanza

A grouped set of lines within a poem, often separated by a blank line. Stanzas function similarly to paragraphs in prose, helping to organize thoughts or themes.

Line Break

The point at which a line of poetry ends and continues on the next line. Line breaks can create pauses, enhance rhythm, or emphasize particular words or ideas.

Line Number

A numerical designation for each line in a poem. Line numbers help readers locate specific parts of the poem.

Mood

The feeling a piece of writing creates in the reader.