Mother to Son

When the mother says that her life hasn't been no crystal stair, it could mean that she has likely NOT had a life of.....

• heating and air-conditioning

• luxury

• electricity

The poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes uses dialect. Which of the following sentences give an example of dialect?

• "Let me tell you son,...."

• "LIfe has been a staircase with tacks and splinters."

• For I’se still goin’, honey,

  I’se still climbin’,

• "So boy, don't you turn back"

What is the topic of the poem?

• Crystal Stairs

• Life

• Light

• Dark

Which of the following statements best describes a major theme of the poem?

• Never forget your family

• Presevere when life isn't easy

• Hope is the answer to all challenges

• Respect your elders

The adjective listed that BEST describes the mother’s character is

• pessimistic.

• threatening.

• cautious.

• persevering.

The author’s use of a stairway to represent life is an example of

• an allusion.

• a hyperbole.

• a metaphor.

• personification.

In this poem, boards with “tacks and splinters” and “boards torn up” are symbols for

• Run-down housing.

• A life that has had many difficulties and challenges.

• The ungrateful way the mother’s son treats her.

• The lack of compassion each man has for his fellow man

Why is a “stairway” a particularly appropriate metaphor to describe the wisdom the mother is trying to impart to her son? 

• Stairways are almost always dirty and rough.

• One has to clean and wax a stairway to make it look good.

• A stairway takes steady persistence to climb and it can go up and down.

• Stairways are often found in expensive houses.

What sort of message is the mother trying to share with her son?

• Your life is going to be very easy, son, so you don't have any reason to worry

• Life is hard. Give up and take the easy way out

• My life has been hard, your life is going to be hard, too. Don't give up. Keep struggling through it

The author of this poem is

• Langston Hughes

• Steve Jobs

• Brian Hughes