Langston Hughes’s “Mother to Son” is in the form of a communication between a mother and son. The words of a mother to her children are the most sincere and earnest form of utterance. The title “Mother to Son” exemplifies a one-to-one correspondence between the two where there is more give than take. The language in dialect form brings out the rawness of feelings in their original form. She conveys to him the reality of life throughout the poem in the form of an extended metaphor of a crystal staircase. The metaphor is indeed very symbolic. The symbol of the staircase echoes that to reach the top, one has to start from the bottom rung. It at once stands as a potent emblem of luxury. The crystal staircase also gives one the impression of it not being there though it is, there, thereby connoting ease. It also emblematizes transparency. Again, its texture represents smoothness. Life, she signifies is not always a “smooth ride.

Well, son, I’ll tell you:

Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

It’s had tack in it,

And splinter,

And boards torn up,

And places with no carpet on the floor—

But all the time

I’se been a-climbing’ on,

And reachin’ landin’s,

And turnin’ corners,

And sometimes goin’ in the dark

Where there ain’t been no light.

So, boy, don’t you turn back.

Don’t you set down on the steps.

‘Cause you finds it’s kinder hard.

Don’t you fall now—

For I’se still goin’, honey,

I’se still climbing’,

And life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.

As she walked up the staircase of Life, she came across tacks. The word ‘tack’ stands for both nails and fasteners. This line is reminiscent of the saying that ‘Life is not a bed of roses’, as it may have its own share of thorns (nails).The word ‘tack’ also means fastener. Sometimes it may also act as a fastener rendering the pace of life stagnant and tiring. The meaning of the word ‘tack’ is also ‘path’ or ‘direction’. Sometimes Life by itself may act as a guiding force, where each experience acts as a pointer. Each experience may also be a cursor to the right direction. There are sometimes no boards on the floor and places devoid of carpet. The word ‘splinter’ has the following meanings ‘fragment’,’ chip’, ‘disintegrate’ ,’fall part’, ’silver’ -all of these are applicable here. There are moments of falling apart, instances of disintegration. On the brighter side, there may also be moments of a ‘silver’lining, equipping one with hope. There may be turnings as the corner brings in unexpected situations. On the other hand, there will also be turning points. The mother warns him that there should be no turning back, and no descending down the steps. This expression connotes that one should not lose hope or let one’s past haunt him. One must not fall down losing one’s balance. The son is advised that he must not descend back because of the simple reason that ascending the stairs is ‘hard’..The mother still continues to climb that staircase of life with steel resolve and determination. Though, the experience of life has not proved to be a crystal staircase for her.

©Rukhaya MK 2010

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