Langston Hughes

E-journal 2:
“Dreams” by: Langston Hughes
“Dreams”, by Langston Hughes, is a short poem that emphasizes the importance of dreams in the broad spectrum of human existence. In the poem, the author exposes that without dreams, life is nothing. He is able to do this in a manner that is short and to the point, and that is a very interesting relationship to examine and analyze. We could say that without dreams, reality would not exist as we know it; we would not have cars, airplanes, boats, and many other inventions. Without dreams, we would not have discovered that the earth is round; without dreams, nations would not be nations. I say this because of what dreams represent; they represent the aspirations of us humans. Dreams are the motor for
creativity, the fuel of the arts and sciences and culture. In his poem, Hughes seems to be encouraging society to embrace dreams in all that they symbolize.
Langston Hughes advises us to: "Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.” A bird is nothing without its’ wings; without being able to fly, he cannot be free to live.
In the same manner, a human is not living if he or she is not able to dream. Hughes also advises to: “Hold fast to dreams for when dreams go life is a barren field frozen with snow." The way he compares a dream to the essence of nature, and a dreamless life to a barren field covered with snow, is essential. Hughes realizes that people who hold fast to their dreams can achieve great things. The people who hold on to their dreams are the ones who are able to achieve them; revolutions are fueled by dreams of a better future or of independence. The French and American revolutions are perfect examples of how dreams can fuel a nation, how individuals who hold their aspirations and their dreams tight are able to acquire such great
power.
We as humans, if it were not for dreams, would be reduced to merely existing. Our ability to analyze and imagine make us unique, fueling the ability to create and enjoy. Imagination has fueled invention and, along with it, the search for the meaning of life. The creation of different religions is one perfect example of the quest and aspiration of humanity to explain its existence; there are many mysteries around us, and we feel the need to explain what we don’t understand. The creation of many different theories that have been proven incorrect is also an example of this need to explain everything that is not completely understood. Also, many works of literature and philosophy have also been dedicated to this subject. Dreams are what our reality is made of, or rather: our reality could not be possible without the ability to dream.
The importance of dreams to revolutions and progress should be enough to make us see the importance of developing imagination and aspirations.
The different branches of the arts and literature studies should be better developed and fomented in our education system.
Nevertheless, in a capitalist system such as the one we live in, people are encouraged to learn and acquire skills that have been deemed as “useful”. People are praised for their ability to produce, either for a company or for a job that translate into services, be it medical or judicial or engineer. It is more important to society that children learn math and science rather than music or art. Nevertheless, both have the same amount of importance to the completion of a well-rounded individual and both are necessary for our progress as
society.
Langston Hughes offers wise advice and knowledge. As we can see, imagination and dreams are the motor of life, as we know it; if we were to lose the ability to dream, life would completely change. Progress would not be possible and technology would stop evolving. We have to open up our eyes and see that the dreamers, who never quit, rather than the dreams themselves, are responsible for everything we have achieved as a society. Nevertheless, the dreamers would not have gotten anywhere without the dream and the ability to dream, which is why we should give more importance to aspirations and imagination in our society.