Eleanor’s recitation of Langston Hughes’s masterful poem “A Dream Deferred” in Mr. Stressman’s English class foreshadows the events that occur at the close of the novel. “A Dream Deferred” deals with the theme of how dreams never come to fruition, and in a sense this perfectly describes the ultimate reality of Park and Eleanor’s relationship: they had a wonderful love blossoming but it is ultimately deferred due to circumstances beyond their control. By all accounts, Park and Eleanor’s love is sweet, innocent, and tender, but their “dream” would be ultimately “deferred” as a result of Richie’s disgusting treatment of Eleanor. Park is extremely impressed by Eleanor’s initial recitation of the poem, so the symbol of their love’s final downfall is also an event that serves to kindle a spark in their blossoming relationship. 

Quite simply, Park and Eleanor’s mix-tapes represent the love that each one feels for the other. One day on the bus, Park notices that Eleanor has a song title etched onto her notebook, but when he asks her about it she claims she’s never heard it before. Park thinks this is silly, so he goes home that evening and makes Eleanor a mix-tape of that particular song, as well as several of his other favorites.