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.
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.
Explain your rationale for your choice. Think about the kinds of words in the poem. What connotation do they seem to mostly have?
Select the words that show how Langston Hughes uses colloquial language in his poetry.
It’s had
And
And boards
And places with
But
And
And
Where there
So boy,
Don’t you
For
And
How does Hughes' use of colloquial language affect the poem? Select all the apply.
What is a metaphor you would create to describe life? Explain your metaphor.
Describe what Langston Hughes communicated in his writings.
Langston Hughes was a writer. What kind of texts did he write?
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.
Describe your first impression of the poem.
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).
Who is the narrator of this poem?
How do you know?
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.
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"?
In which line is the metaphor more clear?
Describe the mother's life according to the metaphor.
The mother shows perseverance. Which line best shows this character trait?
What theme is mostly expressed in the poem?
Which quote from the poem most strongly supports the theme of the poem?