Get Started
Home Authors Tags

"一个被延期的梦想会怎样它会爆炸吗"

Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes Poet
Translations
🇺🇸 English 🇨🇳 中文 🇪🇸 Español 🇪🇬 العربية 🇫🇷 Français 🇮🇷 فارسی 🇯🇵 日本語
Quote meaning
When you think about a dream that's been put on the back burner, it's more than just an idea that fades away. There's a nagging feeling, a buildup of frustration and energy that doesn't just disappear. It’s like a pressure cooker—if you don’t release the steam, it might eventually burst. This is what the quote is getting at. It's asking what happens when our aspirations are continually postponed or ignored.

Historically, this sentiment was powerfully expressed by Langston Hughes, a key figure in the Harlem Renaissance. He wrote in a time when African Americans were fighting for equality and justice, and many of their aspirations were continuously thwarted by systemic racism. Hughes’s words resonated deeply, highlighting the psychological toll of deferred dreams. When people’s ambitions are constantly sidelined, it creates a volatile mix of frustration and resentment.

Think about someone you know who’s always wanted to start their own business. Every time they save up a bit of money, something comes up—a car breaks down, a medical bill arrives, or maybe they lose their job. Year after year, they push their dream aside. Eventually, the frustration may reach a boiling point. One day, they might throw caution to the wind and invest everything they have, or they might become so disheartened that they give up entirely. That’s the explosion Hughes is talking about—it's the dramatic outcome when the pressure of unfulfilled dreams reaches its peak.

To apply this wisdom in your own life, take a moment to reflect on your own deferred dreams. Are there goals you've pushed aside? What can you do today to move closer to them? It doesn't have to be a giant leap—sometimes small, consistent steps make all the difference. For instance, if you’ve always wanted to write a book, start with a page a day. Over time, those pages will add up.

Here’s a relatable scenario: Imagine you’re at a job that just doesn’t fulfill you. Every day, you think about starting your own graphic design business. But you’re worried about the risks. So, you keep putting it off, telling yourself, "Maybe next year." That dream, though, it keeps nudging you. Each year you delay, you feel a bit more stuck, a bit more frustrated. Finally, one day, you can't take it anymore. You quit your job, pour all your energy into your business, and... it takes off. That's the explosion—not a destructive force, but a powerful, transformative one.

Of course, not every deferred dream will explode in a positive way. Sometimes, the energy from those pent-up aspirations can turn into bitterness or regret. That's why it's so important to tend to our dreams regularly—give them the attention they deserve, even if it's just in small ways. Don’t let them fester. Keep them alive and active, and they’ll reward you with progress and fulfillment.

So next time you find yourself putting off a dream, think about that pressure cooker. Release some steam—take a step, however small, in the direction of your dreams. It keeps the pressure in check and keeps you moving forward. And who knows? It might just lead to something wonderful.
Related tags
Deferred Dream Future Harlem renaissance Langston hughes Poetry Possibilities Questions
MORE QUOTES BY Langston Hughes
FEATURED QUOTES
Surprise me with another quote
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon X Icon Threads Icon