Mother to Son Poem PDF - Langston Hughes

Mother to Son Langston Hughes (1902–1967) "Mother to Son" was written by the African-American poet Langston Hughes (1902–1967), who tried to make poetry accessible to the common people. In this poem, Hughes attempts to do this by adopting a style that...

Mother to Son Langston Hughes (1902–1967) "Mother to Son" was written by the African-American poet Langston Hughes (1902–1967), who tried to make poetry accessible to the common people. In this poem, Hughes attempts to do this by adopting a style that reproduces the African-American dialect he heard all around him. Directions: You will read and analyze the following poem. As you read, consider this question: what is the message of the poem, and how can it be applied to your life? (you will answer questions about these to essential questions at the bottom of the document). Well, son, I’ll tell you: Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair1. 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’ on2, And reachin’ landin’s, And turnin’ corners, And sometimes goin’ in the dark Where there ain’t been no light. So boy3, 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. 1 A "crystal stair" refers (it’s an allusion) to the story of Jacob, who—in the Bible— dreams of a staircase leading to heaven. 2 Hughes uses an older African-American dialect here to make the poem seem more realistic. 3 The mother's words shift toward advice here. Questions: 1. Has your caregiver ever given you advice about life? Why do adults feel it necessary to offer advice? Do you think that they actually get what you’re going through? 2. Why does the Mother use the words "splinter... boards torn up... places with no carpet" in Lines 4 through 6? (Highlight the correct answer and offer an explanation for why you think that answer is correct.) A.​ She is emphasizing how difficult her life has been. B.​ She is feeling sad that bad things have happened to her. C.​ She is telling her son to watch out for bad things that can happen to him. D.​ She thinks the stairs in their apartment need to be repaired. 3. What do the mother's words “I'se still goin'” and “I'se still climbin'” tell us about her attitude? (Highlight the correct answer and offer an explanation for why you think that answer is correct.) A.​ She has goals. B.​ She is a fighter. C.​ She is tired. D.​ She has a vision. 4. What does the mother expect of her son? (Highlight the correct answer and offer an explanation for why you think that answer is correct.) A.​ to help her B.​ to get help C.​ to never give up D.​ to make things easier 5. How can this poem and its message be applied to your life (How can you put the mother’s message to her son into practice in your own life)? 6. Literary works can have enduring themes that continue to be relevant in the present. In his poetry, Langston Hughes sought to be relatable and to accurately relate what the experience of the African American people was. Likewise, in an indirect way, he sough to relate the experiences of the African American people to the struggles of all people saying, "My seeking has been to explain and illuminate the Negro condition in America and obliquely (indirectly) that of all human kind." Why is it necessary and important to not only illuminate the struggles one has in one's own community but to also relate those struggles to what other people in other contexts go through? (This is a two-part question. First, why is it important to show how hard it is for people in your own community? Second, why is is important to relate those struggles to others who didn't grow up in the same way or in the same sort of community?)