Final Research Report for English 1020
“What happens to a dream deferred?”
— opening line from the poem “Harlem” by Langston Hughes
This question is relevant to many of the fictional characters that we have discussed over the course of this semester.
The character Troy in the play “Fences” dreamt of being a professional baseball player. His disappointment over the impossibility of realizing this dream dramatically impacted his worldview in general and eventually led to the destruction of his relationship with his son specifically.
In the poem “The Road Not Taken,” the narrator must decide which path to follow. Both options look good, but neither one guarantees success. He knows that if he makes the wrong choice, he won’t be able to start over. Should he follow the safe, conventional path? Or take a risk and follow his heart?
The narrator of the poem “The Rose that Grew from Concrete” dreamt about overcoming the obstacles set in his way by society and succeeding on his own terms.
In “The Story of an Hour,” Mrs. Mallard experienced a brief, but intense dream of a life of freedom after being told that her husband was dead. When that dream was snatched back from her, she herself died.
You could argue that there are examples of dreams — broken, abandoned, and realized — in nearly all of the stories, poems, and plays that we have read.
Now, I want you to think about your own dreams. Maybe you dream of being an NFL star or winning an Academy Award. Maybe you dream of ending world hunger. Travelling to Mars. Finding a long-lost relative. Buying your mom a new car. Being the first female president. Getting married and having a family of your own.
In this essay, you will communicate your most powerful dream.
Did you pursue that dream or do you still intend to?
Did you grow out of it?
Did you give up on it out of necessity?
Did you realize that it was unrealistic?
How does this dream shape who you are?
If you never pursue this dream, will you “dry up like a raisin in the sun?” “Fester like a sore?” Or will you “explode?”
Is it better to chase your dream and fail?
Is it better to have dreamt and lost than never to have dreamt at all?
If you don’t have a specific dream or are not comfortable sharing it, then make one up.
Structure of the essay
Introduction
Write a short paragraph or two explaining that you are basing your ideas on a line from “Harlem” by Langston Hughes.
Articulate a thesis which previews your steps.
In one to three sentences establish a linkage with at least FIVE readings from this semester.
Body Section 1
Write several paragraphs about your “dream.”
In those paragraphs, be very concrete. Explain what inspired your dream. How old you were when you first imagined it. Who or what inspired it? Use names, real or fictional as you wish. Be descriptive.
Body Section 2
Write five (or more) paragraphs showing how your dream experience connects to at least five readings that we have done this semester.
Conclusion
Sum up your points.
Reiterate your dream and what it means/meant to you.
Briefly restate the connection to our readings.
Works Cited
You must document at least six sources.
“Sources” refers to any film, play, short stories, or poems that you use in your essay PLUS “Harlem.” You may also use newspapers and journals if you need them for background.
Please use MLA documentation style throughout the paper.
Note- She didnt say how many pages so 5-6 pages is fine.
Also, here are some of the poems we did throughout the semester:
POEMS
You may use poems that we have not/will not cover in class, but please discuss it with me in advance.
“Sonnet 117 (Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer’s Day?)” by William Shakespeare
“Photograph of My Father in His Twenty-Second Year” by Raymond Carver
“Sonnet 130 (My Mistress’ Eyes are Nothing Like the Sun)” by William Shakespeare
“Suicide Note” by Janice Mirikitani
“How Do I Love Thee” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
“Sadie and Maud” by Gwendolyn Brooks
“[i carry your heart with me (I carry it in]” by ee cummings
“My Papa’s Waltz” by Theodore Roethke
“Harlem” by Langston Hughes
“The Raven” by Edgar Allen Poe
“Imagine” by John Lennon
“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost
“Lavender” by Joanna Fuhrman
“The Rose that Grew from Concrete” by Tupac Shakur