Mother to Son

- By Langston Hughes

LEARN TO Read

Understand
1. What kind of a life the mother had? Pick words from the poem that
shows this.
Ans: The mother has had a tough, challenging life. Words from the poem that
show this include "ain’t been no crystal stair," "tacks," "splinters," "boards torn
up," and "places with no carpet on the floor—Bare." These words emphasize
the difficulties and hardships she has faced, reflecting a life filled with
obstacles and discomforts.

2. Do you think the mother lets problems overcome her? Use words and
phrases from the poem to illustrate your answer.
Ans: No, the mother doesn't let problems overcome her. Phrases like "I’se
still goin’, honey, / I’se still climbin’" show her resilience. She continues to
move forward, despite the obstacles, and encourages her son to do the same.

3. What do the words landing and stairs stand for in the poem?
Ans: In the poem, "stairs" symbolize life's difficult journey, full of challenges.
"Landings" represent moments of progress or achievement. The mother’s
climb suggests that even though life is difficult, each landing is a step forward,
a sign of resilience and persistence.

4. Which lines show that there have been days in the mother's life filled
with disappointment and hopelessness?
Ans: The lines "sometimes goin’ in the dark / Where there ain’t been no light"
suggest days of disappointment and hopelessness. These phrases convey
times when the mother faced uncertainty, struggle, and a lack of clarity or
hope.

5. Read these lines from the poem and answer the questions.

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-

a. What is the metaphor in these lines?

Metaphor: The "crystal stair" is a metaphor for an easy, smooth, and ideal
life. The mother compares her own life to this perfect image of a "crystal stair"
to show that her life has been far from perfect.
 b. What kind of a life is being described here?
The life being described is one that has been difficult, full of hardships and
struggles, rather than smooth or luxurious.

c. What do 'tacks', 'splinters' and 'torn boards' stand for?

These represent the obstacles, pain, and hardships the mother has faced—
both physical and emotional struggles in her journey.

d. Which line suggests deprivation?

"And places with no carpet on the floor—Bare" suggests deprivation, as it
describes a lack of comfort and material wealth.

Infer
6. Pick words/expressions from the box that can be used to describe the
speaker.

has an undying spirit has moral strength

is easily disheartened is satisfied with the little she has
has aspirations daydreams
is depressed is hard-working
relies on fate is strong and resilient
faces challenges and hardships

7. What is the mother's advice to her son? Do you think he shares her
determination and her moral strength? Choose the words that show
this.
Ans: The mother's advice to her son is to keep going despite the difficulties
he may face in life. She encourages him to keep climbing, just as she has,
despite life's hardships.
As for whether the son shares her determination and moral strength, the
poem doesn’t explicitly show his response, but the mother’s advice strongly
suggests that she wants him to follow her example.

Appreciate
8. Is the poem only about the hardships and challenges faced by a
particular individual? Or is it a metaphor for the life of any person who
wishes to change his or her lot in life? (You have learnt about
metaphors in an earlier lesson.)
Ans: The poem is not just about the hardships of a particular individual, but
rather a metaphor for the life of any person who wishes to change his or her
lot in life. The "crystal stair" metaphor symbolizes an ideal, easy life that is out
of reach for many, while the difficult "stairs" with tacks, splinters, and torn
boards reflect the challenges people face in their pursuit of a better life. By
 urging her son not to give up, the mother is encouraging anyone who faces
adversity to keep moving forward.

9. In "Mother to Son," Langston Hughes uses several metaphors to convey

deeper meanings about life’s struggles. Here are the key metaphors in
the poem:
1. "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair" – The "crystal stair" symbolizes an
easy, smooth, and perfect life. The mother contrasts her own difficult life with
this ideal, suggesting that her journey has been far from perfect.

2. "It's had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with
no carpet on the floor—Bare" – These physical elements (tacks, splinters,
torn boards, and bare floors) metaphorically represent the obstacles, pain,
and hardships the mother has encountered in life.
3. "I’se been a-climbin’ on" – Climbing is a metaphor for perseverance and the
struggle to keep moving forward in life despite difficulties. It suggests an
ongoing effort to rise above life's challenges.
4. "Reaching landings, And turnin’ corners" – The "landings" and "corners"
represent moments of progress, decisions, or changes in the course of life.
These are symbolic of the small achievements or shifts the mother has
experienced while facing adversity.
5. "Goin’ in the dark / Where there ain’t been no light" – The "dark"
represents times of uncertainty, confusion, or hopelessness, suggesting that
the mother has had to face times without clear guidance or hope.

These metaphors collectively depict the difficult and challenging journey of life,
where perseverance and resilience are key to overcoming adversity.

Choose the correct answer:

1: What does the mother compare life to in the poem "Mother to Son"?
a) A journey
b) A staircase
c) A river
d) A mountain

2: What is the mother’s message to her son in the poem?

a) Life is easy and smooth
b) Life is full of challenges and obstacles
c) Success comes easily
d) Rest and enjoy life

3: In the poem, what has the mother endured throughout her life?
a) Success and wealth
b) Struggles and hardships
c) Happiness and peace
d) Joyful moments
4: What does the mother urge her son to do despite the difficulties in life?
a) Give up and rest
b) Keep climbing and moving forward
c) Stay at the bottom
d) Stay silent and ignore the problems

5: What phrase in the poem suggests that the mother has faced many
difficulties in her life?
a) "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair"
b) "I'se still goin', honey, I'se still climbin'."
c) "But all the time I’se been a-climbin' on"
d) "I’m still climbing."

6: What does the mother’s advice in the poem suggest about her character?
a) She is weak and fragile
b) She is resilient and determined
c) She is tired and hopeless
d) She is uninterested in her son's future

7: The phrase "tacks" and "splinters" in the poem symbolize:

a) Material possessions
b) The hard and painful experiences of life
c) Good memories
d) Luxury and comfort

8: Which of the following best represents the tone of the poem "Mother to
Son"?
a) Hopeful and encouraging
b) Angry and bitter
c) Regretful and sad
d) Neutral and indifferent

Additional Questions:

1. What is the central message of the poem "Mother to Son"?

The poem teaches the importance of never giving up in life. The mother encourages
her son to keep going, even when life is tough.

2. What metaphor does the poet use to describe life in the poem?
The poet compares life to a staircase that is not smooth or easy. It is filled with
difficulties like tacks, splinters, and darkness.

3. How does the mother convey her message to the son in the poem?
The mother shares her own experiences of struggles and tells her son to keep going.
She advises him to be strong and not give up.
4. What does the phrase "life for me ain't been no crystal stair" mean?
This means that the mother's life has been difficult, not easy or perfect. It has been
full of challenges and hardships.

5. What kind of life did the mother have, according to the poem?
The mother had a tough life with many problems and struggles. But despite that, she
kept going and didn’t give up.

6. How does the mother encourage her son to face difficulties?

The mother tells her son not to give up when life gets hard. She says he should keep
climbing, just like she did in her life.

7. Explain the significance of the mother's words in the context of the poem.
The mother’s words show love and wisdom. She teaches her son to be strong and
keep going even when things are difficult.

8. How does the tone of the poem reflect the relationship between the mother
and the son?
The tone is loving and encouraging, showing the mother’s care. She speaks with
kindness, hoping to guide her son through challenges.

9. What role does the imagery of a "crystal stair" play in the poem?
The "crystal stair" represents an easy, perfect life. The mother says life is not like
that, and it’s full of hard times to overcome.

10. What does the mother want to teach her son through her experiences?
The mother wants to teach her son to never give up. She wants him to face
challenges with strength and keep moving forward.