The theme of "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes is that life is full of challenges and struggles, but perseverance is essential for overcoming difficulties. This theme is developed through figurative language, particularly the metaphor of life as a staircase. The phrase "life for me ain't been no crystal stair" vividly illustrates that life is not easy or beautiful; instead, it is fraught with obstacles like "tacks," "splinters," and "boards torn up." These images emphasize the painful realities that the speaker has faced, suggesting a rough and arduous journey. Furthermore, the mother's encouragement to her son—"don't you turn back" and "I'se still climbin'"—highlights the importance of resilience. The metaphor of climbing suggests that while life may be hard, the act of striving toward one’s goals is both necessary and noble, reinforcing the theme of perseverance in the face of adversity.
Your love was like moonlight
turning harsh things to beauty,
so that little wry souls
reflecting each other obliquely
as in cracked mirrors ...
beheld in your luminous spirit
their own reflection,
transfigured as in a shining stream,
and loved you for what they are not.
You are less an image in my mind
than a luster
I see you in gleams
pale as star-light on a gray wall ...
evanescent as the reflection of a white swan
shimmering in broken water.
Based on the figurative language in the bolded lines, the tone of the poem would best be expressed as
admiration
disapproval
happiness
rejection
Question 5 (Essay Worth 10 points)
(05.02 HC)
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
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FDK231.12
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