# Pictures to the Wall explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Langston Hughes.

## What happens

The speaker reflects on old, lost dreams and considers whether to share them with a younger, more innocent listener, ultimately contemplating silence and turning away from painful memories.

## Themes in this chapter

### Dreams and Despair

The speaker dwells on old, bitter, and weary dreams that have been lost, contrasting them with the listener's youthful innocence.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker, burdened by lost dreams and contemplating whether to share them.

## Key lines

> Shall I tell you of my old, old dreams Lost at the earth’s strange turnings, Some in the sea when the waves foamed high, Some in a garret candle’s burnings?

Should I recount my ancient dreams that were lost in life's unpredictable changes, some drowned in the ocean's fury, others consumed in a small room's candlelight?

_The speaker introduces the theme of lost dreams, using vivid imagery of sea and fire._

> Shall I tell you of weary, weary dreams⁠— You who have lost no dreams at all, Or shall I keep quiet and let turn My ugly pictures to the wall?

Should I share my exhausted dreams with you, who have never experienced such loss, or remain silent and hide my painful memories away?

_The speaker contrasts their own weariness with the listener's innocence, ultimately choosing to conceal their sorrow._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters/pictures-to-the-wall
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_15_se/chapters