“Or fester like a sore— And then run?”

            In the poem “Harlem” written by Langston Hughes, the line, “Or fester like a sore— And then run?” is a simile that is negatively portrays ones dream when it is put aside. This simile is comparing ones dream to a sore the is untreated and results in it becoming infected. This is suggesting that a dream that is not treated will never heal itself, therefore it will become infected with regret and frustration. This subject of this poem is focusing on the result of what happens when a dream is not fulfilled. In the 1950’s and 60’s, black people were struggling for equal rights and opportunity in America. In fact this poem was written about the struggle of the black race in America in 1951. The author, Langston Hughes was apart of the protest and was inspired to write about their struggle of his race being limited in society. This image shown above is picture taken in the 50’s of a crowd of black men protesting with signs that promote the stop of racial discrimination. This issue was a “sore” in America’s society for many years and was untreated due to racism. Therefore, this “sore” of racial discrimination became infected with the frustration of the black community and began to spread all across the American society which resulted in many protests, deaths and riots. This demonstrates that when an issue goes unresolved, it will only get worse by spreading and getting stronger just like a disease in a wound. If ones dream is limited due to society, the frustration will one get stronger when untreated and put aside, just like issue of racism in America.