1. Metaphor:
- "What happens to a dream deferred?"
- "Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?"
In these lines, Hughes uses metaphors to compare a deferred dream to a raisin drying up in the sun. This comparison suggests that a dream that is not pursued or fulfilled loses its vitality and potential over time.
2. Personification:
- "Does it explode?"
Hughes personifies the deferred dream by giving it the ability to "explode." This personification suggests the pent-up energy, frustration, or anger that can accumulate when a dream remains unfulfilled.
3. Simile:
- "Or does it stink like rotten meat?"
In this line, Hughes compares the deferred dream to "rotten meat" using a simile. This comparison conveys a sense of decay and unpleasantness associated with a dream that has not been realized.
4. Alliteration:
- "Or does it just sag like a heavy load?"
Hughes employs alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds, in this line with the phrase "sag like a heavy load." This repetition emphasizes the weight and burden of a dream that has not been fulfilled.
5. Rhetorical Questions:
- "What happens to a dream deferred?"
- "Does it dry up..."
- "Does it explode..."
- "Or does it just sag..."
The use of rhetorical questions throughout the poem creates a reflective and contemplative tone. It invites readers to consider the various possibilities and consequences of a dream that is deferred, without providing definitive answers.
These examples of figurative language add depth and vividness to the poem's exploration of the effects of deferred dreams on individuals and communities.