Section XII: Montage of a Dream Deferred Summary

"Preference" (Pg. 225):

In this segment, the speaker expresses his preference for women "six or eight an' ten years older'n [himself]. The man claims that younger women will use a man for his money and material goods. Older women, on the other hand, are more likely (and more willing) to put a man's needs ahead of their own.

"Drunkard" (Pg. 244):

A brief reflection on deadening one's feelings with alcohol. The piece follows the drinker, figuratively, from happy intoxication into utter despair.

"High to Low" (Pg. 250):

This piece gives voice to middle-class ("high") black prejudice against lower-class ("low"), un(der)educated blacks. The speaker accuses the low blacks of undermining the racial progress being made by "high" blacks like himself.

"Subway Rush Hour" (Pg. 265):

A short meditation on blacks and whites riding the...