MB UNIUD

Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go

Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

(Langston Hughes)

Tieni stretti i tuoi sogni
perché se i sogni muoiono
la vita è come un uccelo con le ali spezzate
che non può volare
Tieni stretti i tuoi sogni
perché se i sogni se ne vanno

la vita è un campo sterile
congelato dalla neve.

Denotative Analysis

The dreams are very important because if the dreams die
the life is not happy. You must believe in your dreams otherwise
the life is sad. Without the dreams the life is futile.

Now I can carry out the structural analysis.

The poem is arranged into two parts.
The first part covers the first 4 lines.
The function is to explain the importance of the dreams.
The second part cpvers the last 4 lines.
The function is to repeat the importance of the dreams.

Conotative Analysis

The poem wants to send a message. It tells about the importance of the dreams and to dreams.

The poet makes an intelligent choice of phonological devices to convey the message: she uses frequent alliterations of dental sounds to create a  brake in the rhythm of the line to compel the reader to stop, think and reflect. In addition, the use of assonance of the sound "s" creates a moment of silence where you can reflect.

The repetion of "Hold fast to dreams" points out the importance of the dreams.