Mother to Son Flashcard

Front

Who is the speaker addressing in the poem 'Mother to Son'?

Back

A mother is warning her son about the difficulties of life and the struggle to persevere.

Front

What does the staircase symbolize in the poem?

Back

The staircase represents the narrator's persisting through difficulties and struggles in life.

Front

What is a major theme of the poem 'Mother to Son'?

Back

Persevere when life isn't easy.

Front

What does the line 'Life for me ain't been no crystal stair' imply?

Back

It implies that life has been full of challenges and hardships.

Front

What does the mother advise her son not to do in the poem?

Back

She advises him not to turn back or give up when life gets hard.

Front

What literary device is primarily used in 'Mother to Son'?

Back

Metaphor.

Front

What does the phrase 'tacks in it, / And splinters' suggest about the mother's life?

Back

It suggests that her life has been painful and filled with obstacles.

Front

How does the mother encourage her son to face challenges?

Back

She encourages him to keep climbing and not to sit down or fall.

Front

What does the mother's journey up the staircase represent?

Back

It represents her resilience and determination to overcome life's difficulties.

Front

What is the tone of the poem 'Mother to Son'?

Back

The tone is both cautionary and encouraging.