Poem:To fling my arms wide In some place of the sun,
To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening Beneath a tall tree While night comes on gently, Dark like me— That is my dream! To fling my arms wide In the face of the sun, Dance! Whirl! Whirl! Till the quick day is done. Rest at pale evening . . . A tall, slim tree . . . Night coming tenderly Black like me. |
Explication:Dream Variations by Langston Hughes is a poem with a deep and powerful meaning behind it.
This poems theme is based on discrimination and African-Americans at the time not being treated equally or fairly. Although this theme isn’t displayed in the sad or angry type of tone you might expect from such a topic. However, you can still feel the power of what he is dreaming about. Most of the first stanza explains this dream, or better yet displays it. Langston Hughes uses descriptive words to show how he would love to dance during the day, and relax at night, but he knows that this cannot be done. His use of simple words makes the lines so effective that you can almost understand the reason(s) why he cannot fulfill this dream. The lines, “To whirl and to dance Till the white day is done. Then rest at cool evening" are a great example of that. Beneath a tall tree,” showcases the simplicity of his words, but also the depths and strength of his dream. You can also kind of sense his also slight disappointment that his dream (at the time) may not become a reality. This poem is a very great example of the others thoughts and feelings about discrimination. It shows you a different perspective instead of the usual ones that come to mind. It opens your mind to the thought that discrimination is greatly powerful subject. I feel that the somewhat upbeat tone makes the lines, and the words, and the message more understandable. It helps the message not come across as pushing civil rights, but just revealing the dream that Langton Hughes had for his life, and for others like him. |