P.S.
English 2202
16 July 2002

Langston Hughes is one of my favorite authors.  By arranging a few carefully selected words, he has the ability to stir one's soul and consciousness.  He certainly did this in the poem, "Mother to Son."

"Mother to Son" expresses a mother's words of wisdom to her son.  She tells her son that she has experienced many hardships in her life.  However, the hardships have not stopped her from persevering, and "climbin' on," and "reachin' landin's," and "turnin' corners."  I believe these statements reflect her accomplishments in life.  Even through all of her struggles, her perseverance ("climbin' on") allows her to accomplish some successes ("reachin' landin's" and "turnin' corners").  (#1)

The mother shares her struggles, perseverance, and accomplishments with her son because she expects he will also face many of the same difficulties.  (#2)  She implores him not to stop trying ("don't you turn back") while facing a barrage of hardships.  She wants him to persevere, even in the face of despair, to achieve whatever amount of success he can.

To me, the use of the words "crystal stair" left a powerful impression.  I felt it held a similar meaning to "being born with a silver spoon in one's mouth."  (#3)  Only the well off, the ones who face no struggles or hardships would be able to climb on crystal stairs.  Others, who have to work extremely hard for an ounce of accomplishment climb bare, splintered, boarded-up stairs.

Contradicting others in the class, I found this poem to be very inspirational.  An extremely overworked, obstacle-ridden, proud mother takes the time to share with her son her life experiences.  She encourages him to continue on through whatever struggles he may face.  She does not want him ever to give up in the face of adversity.  (#4)  To this mother, a crystal stair isn't something to aspire to.  Hard work, dignity, and self-respect are her hopes for her son.  (#5)

(320 words)

Prof's Comments:

(#1)  How are these things accomplishments or successes?  Explain a bit more.

(#2)  Because he's black?

(#3)  Good

(#4)  Why?  How does it affect her?

(#5)  A few statements could have more explanation.