Mother to Son is written in a free verse—that is, without a regular rhythem or rhyme scheme. As in all poetry, the poet's choice and placement of words are significant. Look at lines 6-7. Why do you think Hughes split the lines with way, leaving just one word on line 7? What are the three best answers?
a. to create assonance
b. to make up reader pause
c. to take up more lines
d. to add emphasis to the word
to create onomatopoeia
f. to represent the word visually
11 answers
In Langston Hughes' "Mother to Son," the decision to split the lines with just one word on the next line is a deliberate choice that enhances the poem's emotional and thematic impact. The three best answers for the reasoning behind this choice would be:
b. to make the reader pause
d. to add emphasis to the word
f. to represent the word visually
These choices draw attention to the significance of the word and invite the reader to reflect on its weight within the context of the poem.
In Langston Hughes' "Mother to Son," two adjectives that describe the speaker's life are “hard” and “unwavering.”
Hard: The life the mother describes is filled with difficulties. She mentions, "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair," which suggests that her journey has been challenging and fraught with obstacles.
Unwavering: The mother's resolve and determination are evident when she states, "And life for me ain't been no crystal stair," and continues to explain that despite the hardships, she has never given up, indicating her steadfastness.
These details illustrate the struggles she has faced and the strength she possesses, providing insight into her character and the lessons she wishes to impart to her son.
Another adjective that describes the speaker's life is "persevering."
Evidence: In the poem, the speaker says, “I' ve had to climb,” and later describes the various challenges she has encountered, such as "tacks" and "splinters." This highlights her continuous effort to keep moving forward despite the numerous hardships, demonstrating a strong sense of perseverance in her journey.
The speaker's distinct use of language in "Mother to Son" profoundly impacts both the meaning and tone of the poem. Here are a few key effects:
Authenticity and Voice: The dropping of the ending "g" in words like "climbin'" and the use of contractions such as "ain't" and "Ise" create a sense of authenticity and realism. It reflects the speaker's cultural and personal identity, grounding her story in the experience of African Americans. This colloquial speech emphasizes her role as a mother speaking directly to her son, making her voice relatable and heartfelt.
Emotional Tone: The informal language contributes to a tone that is both conversational and urgent. It adds a sense of intimacy and directness to the speaker's message, making her struggles and determination feel immediate and personal. This tone helps to convey the emotional weight of her experiences and the lessons she wishes to impart.
Resilience and Strength: The language also emphasizes the speaker's resilience. Her choice to use informal, straightforward language reflects her pragmatic approach to life and the struggles she has endured. It conveys a message that, despite hardships, she persists and navigates her path with strength and determination.
Overall, the speaker's use of this distinctive language reinforces the themes of resilience and perseverance while establishing a powerful emotional connection with the reader.
The speaker's use of colloquial language and informal contractions in "Mother to Son" enhances the authenticity and emotional tone of the poem, reflecting her cultural identity while conveying resilience and creating an intimate connection with her son and the reader.
The speaker's use of everyday language in "Mother to Son" makes her message more authentic and emotional, showing her strength and creating a close connection with her son and the reader.
