"Dream Variations" begins by contrasting the day and the night, the sun and the moon, work and rest, and the feeling of wanting freedom and the desire to remain rooted in a certain place. Through these juxtapositions, Hughes encapsulates the essence of the African American experience: the hardships that come during the day and the reprieve from racism and negative influence that comes at night.
The poem opens by describing the daylight, which is marked by the "bright" sun and symbolizes the oftentimes blinding scrutiny and heat many Black Americans had to endure because of tension and racism. The mention of "work" in this context alludes to the labor and struggles faced by African Americans, particularly during the era of Hughes's writing when racial segregation and overt discrimination were rampant, and it was difficult for many Black people to find and keep work.
Then, Hughes paints a stark picture of the night, comparing it to the day. The gentle "whirl" of the "night-dark" world offers a comforting embrace to the African Americans who spent their day dealing with racism. Finally, the images of dancing and resting beneath a tall tree evoke feelings of home.
The poem is cyclical in structure, which emphasizes the enduring nature of the dream of African Americans to find peace and tranquility throughout their lives. But that dream is not just individualistic; it is a shared dream that spans many generations. Finally, it speaks to the age-old yearning of the African American community to balance the reality of their American life and their connection to their African origins.
