StudySync: Mother to Son by Langston Hughes
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Last updated over 2 years ago
20 questions
Note from the author:
Lecture alongside these activities - the 4th question needs teacher guidance. Students were taught connotation, colloquialism, and metaphor ahead of this lesson.
African-American poet Langston Hughes is one of the best-known poets of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual movement that began in the 1920s and resulted in the production of African-American literature, art, and music that challenged racism and promoted progressive politics, such as racial and social integration. In Hughes’ poem “Mother to Son,” the speaker is a mother who draws on her own experiences to teach her son about perseverance.
Preview and Introduction
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1
Describe the Harlem Renaissance to someone who's never heard of it before.
Describe the Harlem Renaissance to someone who's never heard of it before.
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1
Describe what Langston Hughes communicated in his writings.
Describe what Langston Hughes communicated in his writings.
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Langston Hughes was a writer. What kind of texts did he write?
Langston Hughes was a writer. What kind of texts did he write?
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How did Langston Hughes communicate with this audience? What kind of language did he use?
How did Langston Hughes communicate with this audience? What kind of language did he use?
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Drag and drop the definitions of the term in the definition column. Then, drag and drop the picture that represents the word in the term column.
Other Answer Choices:
having qualities like glassware that is very clear and that suggests elegance
a small, thin, sharp bit of wood that has broken off from a larger board
a wide, flat place between sections of stairs in a staircase
First Read of "Mother to Son"
Mother to Son
BY LANGSTON HUGHES
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.
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1
Describe your first impression of the poem.
Describe your first impression of the poem.
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Let's take a poll. If you had to describe the tone of this poem in one word right now, what would you say. (Just choose one, please).
Let's take a poll. If you had to describe the tone of this poem in one word right now, what would you say. (Just choose one, please).
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Explain your rationale for your choice. Think about the kinds of words in the poem. What connotation do they seem to mostly have?
Explain your rationale for your choice. Think about the kinds of words in the poem. What connotation do they seem to mostly have?
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Who is the narrator of this poem?
Who is the narrator of this poem?
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How do you know?
How do you know?
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Select the words that show how Langston Hughes uses colloquial language in his poetry.
Select the words that show how Langston Hughes uses colloquial language in his poetry.
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.
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How does Hughes' use of colloquial language affect the poem? Select all the apply.
How does Hughes' use of colloquial language affect the poem? Select all the apply.
Focused Read of "Mother to Son"
1 Well, son, I’ll tell you:
2 Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
3 It’s had tacks in it,
4 And splinters,
5 And boards torn up,
6 And places with no carpet on the floor—
7 Bare.
8 But all the time
9 I’se been a-climbin’ on,
10 And reachin’ landin’s,
11 And turnin’ corners,
12 And sometimes goin’ in the dark
13 Where there ain’t been no light.
14 So boy, don’t you turn back.
15 Don’t you set down on the steps
16 ’Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.
17 Don’t you fall now—
18 For I’se still goin’, honey,
19 I’se still climbin’,
20 And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
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Extended Metaphors are metaphors that are developed through an entire piece of writing. They are very common in poetry and used as a means of creating connections from the author to the audience. What is the extended metaphor in "Mother to Son"?
Extended Metaphors are metaphors that are developed through an entire piece of writing. They are very common in poetry and used as a means of creating connections from the author to the audience. What is the extended metaphor in "Mother to Son"?
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In which line is the metaphor more clear?
In which line is the metaphor more clear?
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Describe the mother's life according to the metaphor.
Describe the mother's life according to the metaphor.
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The mother shows perseverance. Which line best shows this character trait?
The mother shows perseverance. Which line best shows this character trait?
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What theme is mostly expressed in the poem?
What theme is mostly expressed in the poem?
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Which quote from the poem most strongly supports the theme of the poem?
Which quote from the poem most strongly supports the theme of the poem?
Written Response
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Answer this prompt in CER format. What is the main message of the poem? How does Langston Hughes use colloquialism, metaphor, and/or connotation to create this meaning?
Answer this prompt in CER format. What is the main message of the poem? How does Langston Hughes use colloquialism, metaphor, and/or connotation to create this meaning?
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3
What is a metaphor you would create to describe life? Explain your metaphor.
What is a metaphor you would create to describe life? Explain your metaphor.