Line 1

The speaker of this poem, potentially representing Hughes, poses a broad, open-ended question that is both answered and expanded upon by the subsequent sub-questions. This poem, along with the collection Montage of a Dream Deferred in which it is included, examines the impact on individuals and society when the dreams of millions are postponed or indefinitely delayed.

Lines 2–3

The poem's initial image suggests that a deferred dream dries up like a raisin. This metaphor compares the original dream to a grape—round, juicy, green, and fresh. When the dream is neglected for too long, it shrivels up. Although the dream remains sweet and consumable, it has diminished from its original state and turned black. The renowned 1959 play A Raisin in the Sun, by African-American playwright Lorraine Hansberry, derives its title from this poem. The play also delves into the dangers and repercussions for African Americans of losing sight of their dreams and aspirations.

Lines 4–5

While the raisin imagery engages the senses of taste and sight, the simile of a sore evokes a tactile and physical sensation. Sores appear on the skin, are visible, felt, and carried with us. By equating a dream to a sore on the body, the poet implies that unrealized dreams become a part of us, much like scars. Even if a sore is ignored, it remains palpable, visible, and requires care to heal. Untreated sores can lead to infection and even death. Hughes suggests that neglected dreams can not only torment one externally, but also infect the body and mind, slowly destroying the individual. The term "fester" implies rotting decay, and "run" refers to pus. Hughes might be playing on the word "run," indicating that the dream could either escape or run rampant with one’s sanity. Through the simile of a sore, Hughes underscores the severe consequences of disregarding dreams.

Line 6

Engaging all of the reader's senses, the speaker proposes that a deferred dream might also emit a foul odor. Unlike a sore, a bad smell cannot be ignored. Odors persist until their source is eliminated. By comparing deferred dreams to the stench of rotten meat, Hughes suggests that these dreams will continuously torment an individual, causing distress until they are addressed. Similar to the raisin image, rotten meat smells when it is no longer fresh. This imagery emphasizes the idea of decay and waste. Consuming rotten meat is also lethal. Some critics believe Hughes chose this image because Black communities were often sold spoiled meat in ghetto markets, making them familiar with the stench, as well as the waste and injustice it symbolizes.

Lines 7–8

In these lines, the poet lessens the catastrophic consequences of ignoring or suppressing one's dreams. While a crusted, syrupy sweet won't be as harmful as meat or sores, it still evokes images of waste, neglect, and decay. A sweet treat, much like a dream, starts as something one desires and looks forward to eagerly. However, if left unused for too long, it spoils and leaves an unpleasant taste. Onwuchekwa Jemie suggests that the "sweet" may symbolize the American dreams of equality and success, dreams that are often unattainable for many African Americans. The American dream itself may have soured due to neglect and broken promises.

Lines 9–10

Lines 9-10 comprise the only statement that isn't a question. Hughes suggests that while neglecting dreams can lead to various unpredictable horrors, one thing is certain: deferred dreams weigh on a person both physically and emotionally, as heavily as a load of bricks.

Line 11

Hughes sets this line apart and italicizes it to highlight the broader consequences of widespread dissatisfaction. Although this line is also a question, like the ones before it, the poet implies that an explosion might happen, harming or even killing those near the blast as well as the affected individual. Hughes is suggesting that while a deferred dream primarily burdens, infects, bothers, and saddens the frustrated dreamer, eventually the widespread frustration will harm everyone.