Word Choice and Context

Authors note: This is an assigned reading response based of a quote in the poem Mother to Son, by Langston Hughes

Formative language- “Life ain’t been no crystal stair”

The meaning is to show that the mother did not come from a wealthy family and that things have not been easy. The term crystal stair is usually thought of as wealth which is why it is used.

Improper grammar helps create a mood and a tone for this poem. The mood is both supportive and exhausted. It is supportive because it is instructing her son not to give in and to keep going no matter what obstacles life may throw at you. It is exhausted because the mother is explaining how hard it was for her and it seems as though she’s worked so hard all of her life to get where she is and the road has been exhausting.