Langston HughesBy: Lizzie Fichter

Harlem Renaissance• Harlem was a place where African Americans

could start a new life.• Harlem was the place to start a future • If you went to Harlem you could become famous

for being a Poet, singer, or dancer.• The Harlem Renaissance started after the Civil

War

Langston Hughes• Langston Hughes was a famous poet in the Harlem

Renaissance• He born February 1, 1902, in Joplin, Missouri.• He published his first poem in 1921• His parents split up when he was 7 and he was raised by his grandmother.• It was in Lincoln, Illinois, that Hughes began writing poetry. • Langston Hughes died of complications from prostate cancer

in May 22, 1967, in New York.

Dreams

Hold fast to dreams For if dreams dieLife is a broken-winged birdThat cannot flyHold fast to dreamsFor when dreams goLife is a barren fieldFrozen with snow.

The poem’s theme(main idea)

• If you don’t follow your dreams eventually they will die. Everyone should go after what they want never stop trying to reach your goal. The theme of this poem is to peruse your dreams and never let them die out.

The poem’s tone• The tone of this poem is some what sad but

hoping to have a better life and follow his dreams. Langston wants to follow his dreams so they wont die cause if his dreams die so will he on the inside.

Poetic devices used.• Life is a barren field frozen with snow. (metaphor) • Hold fast to dreams for if dreams fie life is a

broken-winged bird. (Simile)