Read this passage from the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. Keeping in mind the figurative meaning of the staircase, what is the mother telling her son?

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.

I will always be there for you.

Don't give up, no matter how hard life gets.

I worked hard so you won't have to.

You only get what you deserve.

Question

English

Deborah Baird

1 August, 11:09

Read this passage from the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. Keeping in mind the figurative meaning of the staircase, what is the mother telling her son?

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.

I will always be there for you.

Don't give up, no matter how hard life gets.

I worked hard so you won't have to.

You only get what you deserve.

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Answers (1)

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Kristin Barron · Answer 1

The mother is telling her son to persevere and keep going, like she did. "So, boy, don't you turn back." shows how she encourages him to move forward, and "For I'se still goin', honey, I'se still climbin" shows how she wants him to follow in her footsteps, because she is persevering.

Fun Fact:

My class also did this at online school last week.