Mother to Son by Langston Hughes - Academic Review

How does this recording BEST influence how readers interpret the poem? (RL.3.7)

• It demonstrates the mother-son relationship through the use of images.

• It uses dialogue to share the perspectives of both the mother and the son.

• It emphasizes the inflection and the tone of the mother’s voice as she shares the experience.

• It features music to give the reader something to concentrate on as they listen to the recording.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.SL.6.2

What is a similarity and/or difference between reading this text and listening to or viewing the poet's reading? (RL.3.7)

• Both versions include images associated with the topic, but reading the poem highlights the use of figurative language within the stanzas.

• Both versions illustrate the mother’s perspective, but hearing the poem does not allow the reader to see the line breaks within the written poem.

• Neither experience shares the son’s perspective, yet listening to the poem emphasizes the resilient tone.

• Neither experience shares the mother’s perspective, but viewing the poet reading reveals the exact setting associated with the staircase.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.SL.6.2

This question has two parts, first answer Part A. Then answer Part B.

Part A: How does the narrator’s point of view most influence how the events are described in the poem? (RL.2.6)

• It reveals the son’s experiences of growing up.

• It allows the narrator to reflect on her own experiences of growing up.

• It shows that the narrator wants to watch her son do new things.

• It emphasizes that the mother is determined for her son to know that he needs to keep climbing.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.6

(Part A: How does the narrator’s point of view most influence how the events are described in the poem?)

Part B: Which lines from the poem best supports the answer to Part A? (RL.2.6/RL.1.1)

• Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair. (line 2)

• I’se still climbin’, (line 19)

• Don’t you fall now — (line 17)

• It’s had tacks in it, (line 3)

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.6

CCSS.W.6.9A

The mother’ point of view shifts from melancholy to determined as she speaks to her son. Which two details best illustrate this development? (RL.2.6)

• Well, son, I’ll tell you: (line 1)

• Bare. (line 7)

• It’s had tacks in it,

  And splinters,

  And boards torn up, (lines 3-5)

• And turnin’ corners, (line 11)

• So boy, don’t you turn back.

  Don’t you set down on the steps (lines 14-15)

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.1

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.6.6

What does the listener learn from the poet’s reading of the poem that is not conveyed by the text of the poem? (RL.3.7)

• The mother’s concern for the son’s well-being.

• The son’s strength and desire to grow up and gain freedom.

• The insecurity of the son about growing up.

• The mother’s varied emotions in her voice as she speaks to her son about her experiences.

Tags

CCSS.RL.6.7

CCSS.SL.6.2