Langston Hughes' "Mother to Son" is a poignant and powerful poem that speaks to the struggles and challenges of life. It follows the story of a mother who is giving advice to her son about how to navigate the world, and the lessons she has learned from her own life.
The mother begins by saying, "Well, son, I'll tell you: / Life for me ain't been no crystal stair." She is telling her son that life has not been easy for her, and that it will likely not be easy for him either. The metaphor of the "crystal stair" is used to describe the idealized, easy path through life that some may believe exists, but the mother is saying that this is not the reality for most people.
The mother then goes on to list the various challenges and hardships she has faced, saying that "tacks" and "splinters" have been a part of her journey. These could be seen as metaphors for the obstacles and difficulties that she has had to overcome. Despite these challenges, however, the mother has persevered, saying, "I'se been a-climbin' on, / And reachin' landin's, / And turnin' corners." The mother is saying that she has not let these hardships hold her back, but has continued to push forward and make progress in life.
Throughout the poem, the mother emphasizes the importance of resilience and determination. She tells her son, "Don't you turn back," and advises him to "keep on a-movin'." The mother is encouraging her son to keep going, no matter how hard things may get, and to never give up on his dreams.
In the final stanza, the mother concludes by saying, "Life for me ain't been no crystal stair," repeating the opening line of the poem to drive home the point that life is not easy for anyone. However, she also says that despite the struggles she has faced, "I'se still climbin', / And life for me ain't been no crystal stair." The mother is saying that despite the difficulties she has encountered, she has not let them defeat her, and has continued to move forward and make progress.
In summary, Langston Hughes' "Mother to Son" is a powerful poem that speaks to the struggles and challenges of life. It encourages resilience and determination, and reminds us that no matter how difficult things may seem, it is always possible to keep moving forward.