"Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes,

Question

After reading "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, respond to the following questions. 

1. Hughes uses a central metaphor of a staircase, one not made of crystal, to compare the mother's life to. Why do you think this metaphor is effective?

2. The mother tells her son that her life has been full of "tacks," "splinters," "boards torn up," and "places with no carpet." The poet uses these concrete, tangible images as symbols/symbolism of the mother's difficult experiences. What could these images represent in the mother's life? Be specific about what challenges she might face/emotions she might have. You can also consider that this poem was originally published in 1922.

3. Has a significant figure in your life ever given you the type of encouragement the mother gives to her son? Have you been the one to give the encouragement to someone you care about?

Mother to Son

By Langston Hughes

Well, son, I’ll tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tacks in it,

And splinters,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—

Bare.

But all the time

I’se been a-climbin’ on,

And reachin’ landin’s,

And turnin’ corners,

And sometimes goin’ in the dark

Where there ain’t been no light.

So boy, don’t you turn back.

Don’t you set down on the steps

’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.

Don’t you fall now—

For I’se still goin’, honey,

I’se still climbin’,

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

Answer 1

Hey! This is a great poem, so let's get thinking.

1) One reason this metaphor could be effective is because it shows that life is not easy. Hughes uses tactile imagery about the steps to make it seem like an unpleasant walk up along with other imagery. Knowing that, think about some possible wording that Hughes used to express that the mother's life is one made up of hard work and fighting.

2) As a woman in the 1920s, what do you think was something that the mother was possibly fighting for? Along with the work of raising her kids, this major movement was an uphill battle for women in the 20s.

3) For this one, boil down the mother's central message. What do you think she means when she says "I'se still climbin"? after she describes her journey up the stairs?