Literary Device: Simile

1
Literary Device Simile

• Like a metaphor, a simile is a form of figurative
  language that makes a comparison between two
  different things. Unlike a metaphor, similes DO
  use the connective words like or as to make
  this comparison.
• Example The sky flowed like a large, blue
  blanket spread out over the earth.

2
Harlem Langston Hughes

• 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.
• Or does it explode?

3
Harlem Authors Purpose

• What is the authors overall poetic purpose or
  message? (Hint What is the meaning of the word
  deferred?) _________________________________
  ________________________________________________
  __________________________________________

The word deferred means to delay or postpone.
Hughes is exploring, through his poetics, the
various possible fates of forgotten or delayed
dreams.
4
Harlem Authors Purpose

• Through the use of similes (and one metaphor),
  list the various objects that the poet compares
  to delayed dreams. Beside each object, list any
  details provided about the object and the senses
  to which these objects and details appeal.

A raisin - in the sun, dried (sight, taste, touch)
A sweet syrupy, crusted, sugary (taste, touch,
sight)
A sore running (touch, sight, smell)
A load heavy, sagging (touch, sight)
A bomb exploding (touch, sight)
Meat rotten, stinking (sight, smell, taste)
Which of these is an example of a metaphor?
5
Harlem Authors Purpose

• What kind of connotation or tone do all of these
  objects convey?_________________________________
  ___________________________________________
• How do the various similes and metaphor directly
  help to communicate the poets main message? How
  do they impact the readers experience?_________
  ________________________________________________
  ________________________________________________
  _________

The tone of the various objects is extremely
negative.All seem to suggest a sense of
ruination or destruction.
By attacking the readers senses with multiple
items to connect to an abstract concept, the
poet is able to create myriad concrete
impressions concerning faded dreams.
6
Answer the essay question below

• In Langston Hughes Harlem, the poet
  contemplates the fate of forgotten dreams. Write
  a well-organized response, complete with relevant
  text evidence and insightful commentary,
  explaining how the author uses figurative
  language to achieve this artistic purpose.

Red Major Writing Task Blue Minor
Insights/Instructions