Question

grade level: 9
objective: read and analyze langston hughess poem mother to son and explore how literary elements such
as metaphor, imagery, tone, and theme contribute to the poems meaning.

well, son, ill tell you:
life for me aint been no crystal stair.
its had tacks in it,
and splinters,
and boards torn up,
and places with no carpet on the floor-
bare.
but all the time
ise been a-climbin on,
and reachin landins,
and turnin corners,
and sometimes goin in the dark
where there aint been no light.
so boy, dont you turn back.
dont you set down on the steps
cause you finds its kinder hard.
dont you fall now-
for ise still goin, honey,
ise still climbin,
and life for me aint been no crystal stair.

1. who is the speaker? who is she speaking to?

Explanation:

The poem's title "Mother to Son" directly indicates the speaker - a mother. The use of terms like "son", "boy", and "honey" in the poem further confirms she is speaking to her son.

Answer:

The speaker is a mother. She is speaking to her son.