Question

#5 \as i grew older\

it was a long time ago.
i have almost forgotten my dream.
but it was there then,
in front of me,
bright like a sun—
my dream.
and then the wall rose,
rose slowly,
slowly,
between me and my dream.
rose until it touched the sky—
the wall.
shadow.
i am black.
i lie down in the shadow.
no longer the light of my dream before me,
above me.
only the thick wall.
only the shadow.
my hands!
my dark hands!
break through the wall!
find my dream!
help me to shatter this darkness,
to smash this night,
to break this shadow
into a thousand lights of sun,
into a thousand whirling dreams
of sun!

identify the poetic device used:

a. symbolism (go to #10)
b. simile (go to #13)
c. juxtaposition (go to #7)
d. personification (go to #9)

Explanation:

In the poem "As I Grew Older" by Langston Hughes, the "wall" symbolizes the racial barriers and oppression that separate the speaker from their dream (representing equality, hope, etc.). Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. A simile uses "like" or "as", juxtaposition is placing contrasting elements together, and personification gives human traits to non - human things. Here, the wall is a symbol of racial injustice, so symbolism is used.

Answer:

a. Symbolism (Go to #10)