"Mother to Son" "Mother to Son"‚ published in 1922 by Langston Hughes‚ was one of the most famous poems he had written. Hughes was African-American and was born in 1902. While living in the 1900’s Hughes and his family experienced the hardships of racism‚ discrimination‚ and slavery. Therefore‚ this poem is not only words of encouragement from a mother to a son‚ but also words of encouragement to the entire African American community. This poem of inspiration let the community know that the difficulties
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The poem “Mother to Son‚” by Langston Hughes‚ is about a mother advising her son about life. She tells him that life is not easy and that he should not give up even when life is hard. Throughout the poem she uses an extended metaphor to compare life as a decayed stair. The mother expressed the hardship of life by saying‚ “And splinters‚ And boards torn up‚ And places with no carpet on the floor” (4-6). She describes the stair as an old and decayed stair that seems impossible to climb. Life is hard
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obstacles in their life that make them want to just give up and stop moving forward. The poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes shows a mother describing how life‚ “ain’t been no crystal stair‚” (line 2). As the poem continues the mother describes how her life has been difficult as she says‚ “It’s had tacks in it… and places with no carpet on the floor- Bare.” (Lines 3‚ 6‚ 7). The mother then begins to tell her son to not turn back‚ or give up‚ when life decides to throw adversity his way‚ because life
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An Explication of Langston Hughes ’ "Mother to Son" Langston Hughes once stated in his own words that his whole purpose for writing was‚ "to explain and illuminate the Negro condition in America." In the poem "Mother to Son"‚ he denotes his belief on racism in America. In "Mother to Son"‚ a mother is giving advice to her son about life from her perspective and experiences. She wants her son to keep striving on what he believes and to have a more prosperous life than what she had. Langston Hughes
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In Lorraine Hansberry’s play‚ A Raisin in the Sun‚ she tells the value and purpose of dreams and how oftentimes dreams do get deferred. Hansberry got the title for the play based off of Langston Hughes’ famous poem A Dream Deferred. The language Hansberry uses reflects the deeper meaning of Hughes’ poem. Although the Younger women have lived in the same apartment for generations‚ they each face their unique trials and tribulations. Mama is faced with the decision of how to spend the money she received
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The poem “Mother to Son” addresses the theme of overcoming racial discrimination. The speaker of the poem is a mother lecturing her son. By referring to her life as not being a “crystal staircase” would suggest a lifestyle that is simple‚ beautiful‚ and luxurious (). The life she speaks of is only for people with privilege‚ specifically white people. The speaker reflects on her life‚ stating how it has never been easy for her. The description of her life evokes sympathy. The speaker describes her
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easy. Noone goes through life unscathed. In the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes the author highlights this very well; however‚ Hughes also highlights that he’s still climbing. In the poem he uses beautiful imagery to describe the stairway of life. He sets a nice tone. His use of symbolism helps the poem immensely. Langston creates an amazing poem using symbolism‚ tone‚ and imagery. Firstly the poem is chock full of imagery. The mother says the stair “It has tack in it/ and splinters/ and
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Poem and Song #1: Never Give Up “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes is a well-known piece written during the Harlem Renaissance. In this poem‚ Hughes uses a mother-figure as a narrator. She is speaking to her son and telling him about her life. She has had a rough life but has persevered to this point and plans on continuing that. She tells her son to never give up and to keep going even when it’s hard. The overall tone of this poem is one of hope and perseverance. When Hughes’ narrator says
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author of poems‚ Mother to Son and Let America be America again captures the Harlem Renaissance period‚ which was a social and artistic revival of the African American community. His poems explore the themes of stereotyping and taking action. John Lee Hancock also reinforces these themes through his moving film The Blind Side. The social contexts in which these texts were made help the public dive into and have an understanding of these events. The film
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with myself‚ trying to figure out my next step‚ I grew exhausted. I considered giving in to the cycle of low expectations. In contrast‚ as a kid I had dreams and bright ideas. I wondered what would happen to my dreams. Would they look like what the poet Langston Hughes wrote about in his poem‚ “A Dream Deferred”? What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up‚ like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore— and then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over—
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