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
★ What happened to the dream use similes
When a dream is deferred, it undergoes various transformations and consequences. The use of similes helps to illustrate these changes and provide vivid descriptions.
The speaker suggests that a deferred dream may dry up like a raisin in the sun, implying that it shrinks and loses its vitality over time. This simile highlights the withering and loss of life that occurs when a dream is delayed or unfulfilled.
Another comparison suggests that a deferred dream may fester like a sore and then run. This simile implies that unattended dreams can become painful and create a sense of discontent. The dream, like a sore, may become infected and eventually burst, symbolizing the eruption of emotion and frustration.
The speaker further asserts that a deferred dream may stink like rotten meat, emphasizing the unpleasant and foul consequences that can arise from neglecting one's aspirations. This simile suggests that unfulfilled dreams can emit a sense of decay and dissatisfaction.
On the other hand, the simile of a dream crust and sugar over-like a syrupy sweet suggests that dreams may superficially appear sweet and enticing when deferred. However, just like a sugary coating, this superficial sweetness disguises the underlying dissatisfaction and lack of fulfillment.
Lastly, the speaker states that a deferred dream may sag like a heavy load. This simile depicts the burden and weight that unfulfilled dreams can impose on an individual. It suggests that the longer a dream is postponed or unrealized, the heavier it becomes, weighing down the individual with disappointment and frustration.