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4.2 Mother to Son

Quiz by Janette Salinas

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15 questions
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  • Q1
    In the poem 'Mother to Son,' what is the mother's primary message to her son?
    Life is easy, don't worry about it
    Life is difficult but you must keep going
    Life is meaningless, so do what you want
    Life is only worth living if you're successful
    30s
  • Q2
    What is the extended metaphor used in 'Mother to Son'?
    Life is a race to be won
    Life is a game you can win or lose
    Life is a journey with many paths
    Life is like climbing a staircase
    30s
  • Q3
    What does the mother say has been a part of her climb?
    Tacks, splinters, and torn-up boards
    A helping hand from others
    A clear path with no obstacles
    Smooth, polished steps
    30s
  • Q4
    What does the mother say her son should not sit down on?
    A throne
    The floor
    The steps
    A bench
    30s
  • Q5
    What does the mother say at the end of the poem?
    She's ready to rest
    She's still climbing, and so will he
    She's given up
    She's reached the top
    30s
  • Q6
    What is the tone of 'Mother to Son'?
    Dismissive
    Angry
    Sad
    Encouraging
    30s
  • Q7
    What is the structure of 'Mother to Son'?
    Sonnet
    Villanelle
    Free verse
    Haiku
    30s
  • Q8
    What is the mother's voice like in 'Mother to Son'?
    Direct and straightforward
    Intellectual and academic
    Whiny and complaining
    Mysterious and indirect
    30s
  • Q9
    What is the overall theme of 'Mother to Son'?
    Happiness
    Success
    Wealth
    Perseverance
    30s
  • 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

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