4.2 Mother to Son
Quiz by Janette Salinas
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- Q1In the poem 'Mother to Son,' what is the mother's primary message to her son?Life is easy, don't worry about itLife is difficult but you must keep goingLife is meaningless, so do what you wantLife is only worth living if you're successful30s
- Q2What is the extended metaphor used in 'Mother to Son'?Life is a race to be wonLife is a game you can win or loseLife is a journey with many pathsLife is like climbing a staircase30s
- Q3What does the mother say has been a part of her climb?Tacks, splinters, and torn-up boardsA helping hand from othersA clear path with no obstaclesSmooth, polished steps30s
- Q4What does the mother say her son should not sit down on?A throneThe floorThe stepsA bench30s
- Q5What does the mother say at the end of the poem?She's ready to restShe's still climbing, and so will heShe's given upShe's reached the top30s
- Q6What is the tone of 'Mother to Son'?DismissiveAngrySadEncouraging30s
- Q7What is the structure of 'Mother to Son'?SonnetVillanelleFree verseHaiku30s
- Q8What is the mother's voice like in 'Mother to Son'?Direct and straightforwardIntellectual and academicWhiny and complainingMysterious and indirect30s
- Q9What is the overall theme of 'Mother to Son'?HappinessSuccessWealthPerseverance30s
- Q10
Why does the speaker say her son must watch out for broken boards, splinters, and tacks?
These things are there in order to throw him off.
These things are painful.
These things are only something for women.
30s - Q11
Why is the historical context of this piece important?
Hughes was an important member of the Harlem Renaissance, who wrote extensively on the oppression and racism that Black Americans face. With this in mind, the speaker can be seen as an African American mother who wants to tell her son to wait anxiously for the troubles her black son is going to face as he ages.
Hughes was an important member of the Harlem Renaissance, who wrote extensively on the oppression and racism that Black Americans face. With this in mind, the speaker can be seen as a generalized image of an African American mother who wants to explain the troubles her black son is going to face as he ages.
30s - Q12
Hughes composed the text in free verse. What does this mean?
This means that there is no pattern of rhyme or rhythm.
This means that there is a pattern of rhyme that is difficult to see.
This means that he uses perfect rhyme.
This means that he uses slant rhyme.
30s - Q13
Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. (…)
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
What effect does beginning with "Well, son, I'll tell you:" have on the poem?
it indicates that the mother is the only one who has experienced this
it sets up the conversation as informal but also important
30s - Q14
The speaker is contrasting her own life against one that is easy to progress through (or up).
Which example of text evidence best fits the statement above?
Well, son, I'll tell you
And places with no carpet on the floor
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
'Cause you find its kinder hard.
30s - Q15
To describe the different periods of her life, the speaker inserts landings into the staircase.
What are "landings"?
These are places the stairs might take a turn, or the speaker might be able to rest.
These are places the speaker has landed in in her life and have taught her to persevere.
30s