Question

In "Dream Boogie" look at the beat of the lines. What happens as the poem evolves? How does this compare with "Daybreak Express" by Duke Ellington?

Answer 1

At first glance it is very plain this is a jazz poem. The lines are irregular, and there are italicized lines that are audience responses. Common urban language is used, and the boogie-woogie is referenced in the first stanza. The rhythm of the lines moves quickly, giving this poem a song-like feel to it. It is easy to see how this poem could be set to music. The words “listen closely” are repeated in a chorus-like refrain, and a scat solo ends the poem. Suppressed beneath a seemingly happy rhythm, however, is an unhappy message. An entire race of people is being denied the dream that was promised to them. They continue to dance through life and spectators think they are happy, but this poem makes it clear that under the surface is bitter disappointment and unhappiness. People of that time believed the stereotype of the happy ***** who remains joyful despite the situation. After reading this poem, however, they could no longer believe that. The jazz form of this poem makes the issue very powerful. Instead of saying “You think we’re happy but we’re really sad,” Hughes uses a song-like form to illustrate his point. The fact that the narrator is singing about it makes it all the more heartbreaking.