Dreams
Hughes frequently used the theme of dreams in his poetry and in "Dream Variations," more significantly, to express the hopes, aspirations, and desires of African Americans in the United States who are marginalized by institutionalized racist organizations. In "Dream Variations," the title itself signals the central role of dreams. The poem reflects the universal desire of all humans to live freely, without societal pressures and constraints. Historically, those constraints were particularly faced by Black individuals in America, which Hughes frequently tries to expose in his work.
Racial identity
Throughout the poem, the line "That is my dream!" is frequently repeated. It reflects the personal and collective dreams of the speaker (who is likely Black) and other African American people. Ultimately, they want to be free and unburdened by the proverbial chains of institutional racism. The Black people must endure a "dark night," whereas white people live a "bright day." Ultimately, the poem itself is a celebration of Black racial identity. Despite dealing with challenges, the speaker likes being black and appreciates his culture and his racial identity.
