Harlem holds significant importance in the poem because it is the setting where the speaker contemplates the deferred dreams of African Americans. The poem highlights the struggles and frustrations of Black people living in Harlem during the early 20th century, capturing a sense of disillusionment and unfulfilled aspirations. Harlem serves as a backdrop to explore themes of racial inequality, discrimination, and the impact of societal limitations on the hopes and dreams of African Americans. The place itself symbolizes the harsh realities faced by Black individuals in a society that has historically marginalized and oppressed them.
