TGIPF - September 6, 2013

We spent a lot of time talking about the "dream" of Socialism on Animal Farm--both Old Major's literal dream, and the metaphoric dream of a utopian ideal. We are seeing this dream start to break down; this poem from Langston Hughes considers what happens when we believe strongly in a dream that we are somehow prevented from achieving. I asked students to predict what the animals might do as their hopes are gradually thwarted by the power-hungry pigs--will they... explode?

"Harlem," by 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?