Poetic devices

Alliteration

The poem “Harlem” by Langston Hughes contains an instance of alliteration, which can be found in the first verse: “What happens to a dream deferred?” (l. 1). Here, alliteration occurs with the words “dream” and “deferred”, which begin with the same sound. The stylistic choice creates musicality and makes the poem easier to remember. The repetition of the letter d, could also inspire a sense of foreboding, pointing to the seriousness of the topic and the need to have this question answered.

Another example of alliteration is the repetition of the letter s in “syrupy sweet” (l.8). here, the alliteration creates an unpleasant image, which fits with the idea that there are negative consequences when a dream is neglected.

Rhetorical questions

The ent...