LitCharts (2024)

  • Summary
  • Themes
  • Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
  • Symbols
  • Poetic Devices
  • Vocabulary & References
  • Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
  • Speaker
  • Setting
  • Context
  • Resources
  • Summary
  • Themes
  • Line-by-Line
    Explanations
  • Symbols
  • Poetic Devices
  • Vocabulary &
    References
  • Form, Meter, &
    Rhyme Scheme
  • Speaker
  • Setting
  • Context
  • Resources

LitCharts (7)Downloadthis entire guide to “Dream Variations” as a printable PDF.Downloadthis LitChart! (PDF)

Question about this poem?

Have a question about this poem?

Have a specific question about this poem?

Have a specific question about this poem?

Have a specific question about this poem?

A LitCharts expert can help.

A LitCharts expert can help.

A LitCharts expert can help.

A LitCharts expert can help.

A LitCharts expert can help.

Ask us

Ask us

Ask a question

Ask a question

Ask a question

The American poet Langston Hughes originally published "Dream Variations" in his 1926 collection titled The Weary Blues. The poem's speaker dreams of dancing through the "white day" before resting at night, which is as "dark" as the speaker himself. The speaker’s "dreams" can be read as a metaphor for Black joy and Black survival: through his dancing, the speaker finds joy and freedom in spite of white society’s oppressive gaze, as well as a sense of belonging, safety, and shared identity in the Black community.

Get

Get

LitCharts

LitCharts (8)

LitCharts (9)

Get the entire guide to “Dream Variations” as a printable PDF.

Download

The Full Text of “Dream Variations”

1To fling my arms wide

2In some place of the sun,

3To whirl and to dance

4Till the white day is done.

5Then rest at cool evening

6Beneath a tall tree

7While night comes on gently,

8Dark like me—

9That is my dream!

10To fling my arms wide

11In the face of the sun,

12Dance! Whirl! Whirl!

13Till the quick day is done.

14Rest at pale evening . . .

15A tall, slim tree . . .

16Night coming tenderly

17Black like me.

The Full Text of “Dream Variations”

1To fling my arms wide

2In some place of the sun,

3To whirl and to dance

4Till the white day is done.

5Then rest at cool evening

6Beneath a tall tree

7While night comes on gently,

8Dark like me—

9That is my dream!

10To fling my arms wide

11In the face of the sun,

12Dance! Whirl! Whirl!

13Till the quick day is done.

14Rest at pale evening . . .

15A tall, slim tree . . .

16Night coming tenderly

17Black like me.

  • “Dream Variations” Summary

  • “Dream Variations” Themes

    • LitCharts (10)

      Resisting Racist Oppression

    • LitCharts (11)

      Black Art, Joy, and Survival

  • Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis of “Dream Variations”

    • Lines 1-2

      To fling my arms wide
      In some place of the sun,

    • Lines 3-4

      To whirl and to dance
      Till the white day is done.

    • Lines 5-6

      Then rest at cool evening
      Beneath a tall tree

    • Lines 7-9

      While night comes on gently,
      Dark like me—
      That is my dream!

    • Lines 10-11

      To fling my arms wide
      In the face of the sun,

    • Lines 12-13

      Dance! Whirl! Whirl!
      Till the quick day is done.

    • Lines 14-15

      Rest at pale evening . . .
      A tall, slim tree . . .

    • Lines 16-17

      Night coming tenderly
      Black like me.

  • “Dream Variations” Symbols

  • “Dream Variations” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

  • “Dream Variations” Vocabulary

    Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

    • Variations
    • Fling
    • Whirl
    • Pale
  • Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “Dream Variations”

    • Form

    • Meter

    • Rhyme Scheme

  • “Dream Variations” Speaker

  • “Dream Variations” Setting

  • Literary and Historical Context of “Dream Variations”

  • More “Dream Variations” Resources

Dream Variations
Full Text

1To fling my arms wide

2In some place of the sun,

3To whirl and to dance

4Till the white day is done.

5Then rest at cool evening

6Beneath a tall tree

7While night comes on gently,

8Dark like me—

9That is my dream!

10To fling my arms wide

11In the face of the sun,

12Dance! Whirl! Whirl!

13Till the quick day is done.

14Rest at pale evening . . .

15A tall, slim tree . . .

16Night coming tenderly

17Black like me.

Lines 3-4

It gathers to a greatness, like the ooze of oil Crushed

LitCharts (14)

LitCharts (15)

Everything you need
for every book you read.

"Sooo much more helpful thanSparkNotes. The way the content is organized
and presented is seamlessly smooth, innovative, and comprehensive."

Get LitCharts A+

LitCharts (16)

Everything you need for every book you read.

Everything you need for every book you read.

Get LitCharts A+

Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved

LitCharts (17)

Save time. Stress less.

  • LitCharts (18)PDF downloads of all 1883 LitCharts literature guides, and of every new one we publish.
  • LitCharts (19)Detailed quotes explanations with page numbers for every important quote on the site.
  • LitCharts (20)Teacher Editions with classroom activities for all 1883 titles we cover.
  • LitCharts (21)PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem.
  • LitCharts (22)Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Instant PDF downloads.
  • LitCharts (23)Refine any search. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more.
  • LitCharts (24)PDFs of modern translations of every Shakespeare play and poem.
  • LitCharts (25)Definitions and examples of 136 literary terms and devices. Instant PDF downloads.
  • LitCharts (26)Refine any search. Find related themes, quotes, symbols, characters, and more.
LitCharts (2024)

FAQs

What are LitCharts used for? ›

While the analysis in other literature guides is often disconnected from the summary and underlying text, our side-by-side summary and analysis are always examples of close reading. As a result, LitCharts help students understand the text at the closest level, and serve as a model that teaches how to read closely.

Is LitCharts a trustworthy site? ›

LitCharts is created by literature experts, run by literature experts, and every LitChart is written by a literature expert. Our founders, Ben and Justin, are experts in English Literature. They both graduated magna cum laude with highest honors in English Literature from Harvard.

Can you get LitCharts for free? ›

If you aren't ready for a LitCharts A+ subscription, Free accounts can be a great way to still get great value from LitCharts! Free accounts allow you to: Make requests that we cover a specific book or title.

How much does LitCharts cost? ›

You can subscribe to LitCharts A+ as a monthly member or as an annual member. A monthly subscription is $9.95 USD per month. You can save 50% by subscribing for a year! Our annual subscription rate is $59.40 USD.

Is LitCharts worth it? ›

LitCharts is a great resource to use with ESL/ELL and intervention students to reinforce concepts in texts provided. It is also helpful for students who lack experience with challenging literary classic.

How much do you get paid at LitCharts? ›

LitCharts pay FAQs

The average LitCharts hourly pay ranges from approximately $21 per hour (estimate) for an Intern - Hourly to $30 per hour (estimate) for a Freelance Writer.

How accurate is LitCharts? ›

Like SparkNotes, LitCharts offers accurate descriptions of texts that provide surface-level plot summaries and in-depth analyses of symbols and themes. “My teachers have recommended LitCharts as well. They have pretty good study guides when you're preparing for a test or another summative,” senior Ellie Huber said.

Who runs LitCharts? ›

LitCharts was founded in 2008 by Justin Kestler and Ben Florman, who led the editorial and product development of SparkNotes, another literature guide series, in the early 2000s.

Is LitCharts free for students? ›

LitCharts offers high quality digital literature guides on over 225 works of literature. Guides can be accessed free of charge by teachers and students, and PDF versions of each guide can be downloaded or printed for offline use.

Who are LitCharts competitors? ›

Top 4 litcharts.com Alternatives & Competitors
  • sparknotes.com. 9,538. 4,494. 7.58M. 2.7. 60.27%
  • gradesaver.com. 31,321. 26,512. 2.1M. 2.9. 64.5%
  • cliffsnotes.com. 19,611. 8,686. 3.53M. 2.0. 74.53%
  • supersummary.com. 44,517. 17,322. 1.4M. 1.6. 75.27%

How many books does LitCharts have? ›

Everything you need for everything you read. Use our guides to learn or teach any of the 3134 titles and topics we cover.

How accurate are LitCharts? ›

Like SparkNotes, LitCharts offers accurate descriptions of texts that provide surface-level plot summaries and in-depth analyses of symbols and themes. “My teachers have recommended LitCharts as well. They have pretty good study guides when you're preparing for a test or another summative,” senior Ellie Huber said.

How much do LitCharts pay freelance writers? ›

Total salary range for LitCharts Freelance Writer Hourly Pay

The estimated total pay range for a Freelance Writer at LitCharts is $22–$42 per hour, which includes base salary and additional pay. The average Freelance Writer base salary at LitCharts is $30 per hour.

What is the purpose of SparkNotes? ›

SparkNotes are meant to help you understand literature—not as a substitute for it. Reading a SparkNote instead of reading a book is misusing a SparkNote. Those of us who write SparkNotes love the books that we write about, and we want you to read them as well!

Top Articles
12 Best Places to Live in South Carolina
How To Set Your Budget Percentages
Extranet Landing Page Delta
W B Crumel Funeral Home Obituaries
Citi Trends Watches
Tiraj Rapid New York Midi
Britley Ritz - K99.1FM
Which is better, bonds or treasury bills?
15 Cloud Tattoo Meaning Symbolism- Reflecting Change and Transience
D Drive Not Showing Up—10 Ways To Fix It
Marie Temara Snapchat
My Happy Feet Shoes Review: How I Finally Got Relief from Years of Heel Pain - 33rd Square
8Kun Hypnosis
Mta Bus Time Q85
Randolph Leader Obits
Pollen Count In Brandon Fl
Wmlink/Sspr
Weldmotor Vehicle.com
Lexi Ainsworth Baby
Descargar AI Video Editor - Size Reducer para PC - LDPlayer
Ar Kendrithyst
Th 8 Best Army
Francine weakens moving inland as the storm leaves behind flooding and widespread power outages
Pheasant Chicks Tractor Supply
Apria Healthcare - 26 Reviews - Sacramento, CA
Clay County Tax Collector Auto Middleburg Photos
Metv Schedule Now
Dash Ag Grid
phoenix health/wellness services - craigslist
Busse Bladeforums
Ihub Kblb
Hyvee Workday
Knock At The Cabin Showtimes Near Alamo Drafthouse Raleigh
Filmy4Wap Xyz.com 2022
Lux Nails Mcmurray Pa
Circuit Court Evanston Wy
Tapana Telugu Movie Download Kuttymovies
Orylieys
Juicy Deal D-Art
What Was D-Day Weegy
Elaina Scotto Wedding
2Nd Chance Apartments In Richmond Va
Ice Quartz Osrs
Optum Director Salary
Sprague Brook Park Camping Reservations
South Carolina Craigslist Motorcycles
Leo 2023 Showtimes Near Amc Merchants Crossing 16
Rabbi Raps
Slushy Leaks
A look back at the history of the Capital One Tower
manhattan cars & trucks - by owner - craigslist
Mets vs. Reds: Injury Report, Updates & Probable Starters – Sept. 7 - Bleacher Nation
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Roderick King

Last Updated:

Views: 5862

Rating: 4 / 5 (71 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Roderick King

Birthday: 1997-10-09

Address: 3782 Madge Knoll, East Dudley, MA 63913

Phone: +2521695290067

Job: Customer Sales Coordinator

Hobby: Gunsmithing, Embroidery, Parkour, Kitesurfing, Rock climbing, Sand art, Beekeeping

Introduction: My name is Roderick King, I am a cute, splendid, excited, perfect, gentle, funny, vivacious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.