Question

Read the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. Then, answer the question that follows.

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.

In a paragraph of four or five sentences, explain how the theme of "Mother to Son" is developed through figurative language. Your response should


state the theme in a complete sentence
provide examples of figurative language from the text that support the theme
explain how your examples of figurative language relate to the theme

Answer 1

The theme of 'Mother to Son' is about persevering through life's challenges, employing a central metaphor of a difficult staircase to represent life and recommending continual effort and resilience.

Step-by-step explanation:

The theme of "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes is perseverance through adversity, which is developed through the use of figurative language, particularly metaphor. The character of the mother describes life as "no crystal stair", using a metaphor to depict life's hardships as opposed to an easy, flawless ascent. The "tacks" and "splinters", and "boards torn up" contribute to this metaphor by offering vivid imagery of obstacles and discomfort. When the mother advises her son not to "turn back" or "set down on the steps", she uses the journey up the stairs as a symbol for life's journey, illustrating the importance of resilience and ongoing effort.

Answer 2

The theme of "Mother to Son" is the endurance and perseverance required to overcome life's challenges. The mother uses a metaphor of a staircase to illustrate her struggles, describing the various obstacles and setbacks she has faced. The tacks and splinters in the stairs represent the hardships and difficulties in her life. By using this extended metaphor, the mother emphasizes the ongoing effort and determination needed to keep climbing towards a better life. She encourages her son to keep pushing forward, despite the difficulties he may encounter, and to remember that success requires hard work and perseverance. Overall, the figurative language in the poem reinforces the theme of endurance and the need to persevere through life's challenges.