Mother to Son

A mother's eternal and unconditional love.

Motherhood isn't just about making babies, it's about making lives and molding destinies.

-Agu Jaachynma N.E.

The text

“Mother to Son” was written in 1922. You may find the poem at the Poetry Foundation website: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47559/mother-to-son.

Analysis

"Mother to Son" is a dramatic monologue spoken in African American Vernacular English. In this poem, a poor, hardworking Black mother offers advice to her young son about the struggles he will face in a segregated American society where African Americans are oppressed, marginalized, and discriminated against. Using the extended metaphor of climbing a difficult staircase, she describes her own life journey as one filled with obstacles, hardships, and darkness:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair

It had tacks in it,

And splinters

And boards torn up (2-5).

The "crystal stair" symbolizes a life of ease and luxury, often associated with financial stability. The tacks and splinters depict the hardships faced by the mother living in a racially segregated community. Despite these tribulations, the mother emphasizes the importance of determination and resilience, encouraging her son to use her struggles as a source of strength and courage and never give up:

So boy, don’t you turn your back

Don’t you step down off the steps

‘Cause you find it’s kinder hard

Don’t you fall now

For I’se still goin’, honey

I’se still climbin’” (14-19).

As we navigate life's challenges, we must be brave and courageous, overcoming obstacles without giving up. The journey of life is difficult, but perseverance is essential to achieving our goals. The poem highlights the often lonely and exhausting struggles of mothers: "And sometimes [I have been] goin’ in the dark / Where there ain’t been no light” (12-13). The trials and tribulations of a mother can feel isolating, as she often hides her problems to present a façade of strength. This can lead to overwhelming mental and physical exhaustion. It is crucial to support mothers in these difficult times, as the mother in the poem demonstrates resilience amidst isolation:

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” (8-13).

Pregnant women supporting each other.

Despite her struggles as an African American mother, she maintains a positive outlook, teaching her son the values of courage and persistence. She believes these values will help him face discrimination and adversity, encouraging him to pursue his dreams and stand up for what is right.

Though the poem illustrates the African American experience, the trials and tribulations of this mother are universal to mothers of all backgrounds who face similar hardships. It is essential to recognize that children are the future of our society. Parents must equip them with the skills, values, and attitudes needed to become resilient and successful individuals. By providing a role model of love, kindness, and compassion, parents can instill these values in their children, ensuring they are prepared to face any challenges that come their way.

Glossary

• African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is a distinct form of English primarily spoken by working- and middle-class African Americans, especially in urban areas, and by some Black Canadians. Characterized by its unique grammar, vocabulary, and accent, AAVE is used by middle-class Black Americans in informal and casual settings.
• Segregation is the separation or isolation of a race, class, or ethnic group by enforced or voluntary residence in a restricted area, by barriers to social intercourse, by separate educational facilities, or by other discriminatory means ; the separation for special treatment or observation of individuals or items from a larger group segregation of gifted children into accelerated classes.
• Tribulations is the distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution also: a trying experience.

The strong women in Langston Hughes's life

Caroline Mercer Hughes

Carolina (Carrie) Mercer Langston was a writer and activist who instilled in her son a strong sense of racial pride and social justice. For example, at the age of 18, she publicly read her own writing and recited original poetry. She was also a vocal advocate for women's rights and suffrage.

Although she struggled financially, Carrie instilled in her son a love of learning and the arts. She fought for him to attend a better school, even when facing resistance due to their race. Later in life, she achieved her own dream of becoming an actress, appearing on Broadway in 1933.  This commitment to education and creative expression would stay with Langston Hughes throughout his life.

Despite their often-strained relationship, Carrie played a role in nurturing Langston's talent. However, it was his grandmother, Mary Leary, who provided the most consistent emotional support and instilled in him a love of learning and literature. Mary's own experiences with racism, particularly her inability to join her church of choice due to segregation, deeply affected Langston and fueled his passion for social justice. These women, with their resilience and complex perspectives on race and society, profoundly shaped Langston's worldview.

Further reading

On African-American Vernacular English

• Jack Sidnell, "African American Vernacular English (Ebonics)." This page discusses the historical and linguistic roots of AAVE, describes its unique grammatical, phonological, and lexical characteristics, and highlights the debates and misunderstandings surrounding it. https://www.hawaii.edu/satocenter/langnet/definitions/aave.html

  

On segregation in the United States

• The Library of Congress, "Brown v. Board at Fifty: 'With an Even Hand.' -A Century of Racial Segregation, 1849–1950." This website covers the history of racial segregation in the U.S. from 1849 to 1950, highlighting key legal battles and the role of the NAACP in challenging discriminatory laws, leading up to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision. https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/brown/brown-segregation.html
• Van Wormer, Katherine, et al. “What We Can Learn of History from Older African American Women Who Worked as Maids in the Deep South.” Western Journal of Black Studies, vol. 37, no. 4, Winter 2013, pp. 227–35.: https://www.proquest.com/openview/89b2f7db6f87c31ff799d066bf274ca8/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=47709
• Other poems on the subject by Langston Hughes
  • “My People.” https://poets.org/poem/my-people-0
  • "I, Too." https://poets.org/poem/i-too

Write a love letter: A Mother’s Day Project

Love with pen and paper.

Mother's Day is a special occasion to show our kids how much we love and care for them. Every year, take the time to write something special for your child, no matter their age. Handwritten notes are best, but if you find writing difficult, a personal voice message will do—read a poem, sing a few lines of a favorite song, or share a funny joke.

Make it a fun family tradition: every 5, 10, or 15 years, see who has saved the most letters or voice messages. The winner gets a reward, while the "loser" might face a fun sanction, like wearing matching ugly sweaters for a family photo or treating everyone to dinner. Whatever you choose, make it memorable. Best of luck!