Introduction
Langston Hughes, one of the most influential African American writers of the 20th century, wrote ‘Mother to Son’ as part of a larger collection of poetry known as The Weary Blues, which was published in 1925. Mother to Son remains one of Hughes’ most renowned works, and captures in vivid detail the struggles of the African Americans during a period of racial tension and growing civil rights awareness. As the poem opens with the mother’s exhortation, ‘Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair’, Hughes presents an emotive vignette of a mother’s battle to raise her son in the midst of severe hardship. The poem stands out for its harsh realism and clear message about the resilience and courage of African Americans in the pursuit of equality and justice.
Historical Context
The 1920s represented a highly significant period in the history of African Americans. Although slavery had been officially abolished in 1865, African Americans continued to experience systemic racism and segregation entrenched in law and day-to-day living. The reimposition of the ‘Black Codes’ after 1890 posed further restrictions on African American civil rights. At this point, organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People (NAACP) stepped in to advocate for racial justice, and the civil rights struggle gained momentum. In the context of this collective effort, Mother to Son stands as a bold declaration of resilience and determination in the face of relentless hardship.
The Literary Influence
Mother to Son was received favourably by critics and was one of the poems that cemented Hughes’ reputation as a respected poet. According to Turner, ‘Mother to Son exemplifies Hughes’ commitment to portraying the experience of African Americans without the distorted lens of white mainstream culture’. In the poem, Hughes makes use of a number of literary techniques to emphasise the speaker’s determination in the face of adversity. These include the use of vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the pain of the speaker’s struggle, as well as alliteration and rhythm to emphasise her words. In the stanza ‘Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair’, Hughes’ use of assonance to create a melodic flow serves to capture the speaker’s strength in adversity.
Analysis of the Poem
Through the vivid imagery used, Hughes’ poem gives readers an insight into the harsh experience of African American life. In the opening line, the ‘crystal stair’ serves as a metaphor for the promise of a better life, yet Hughes’ reveals it to be elusive. Through the metaphor of ‘splinters’, Hughes conveys the sense of pain and suffering that is a part of the speaker’s experience, while the image of ‘wooden stairs’ conveys a sense of illegitimacy, meaning the speaker’s dreams remain out of reach. Overall, Hughes’ poem stands as a powerful testimony to resistance – an assertion by the speaker of her right to hope in a land that denies her it.
The Poem’s Ongoing Significance
Despite being written more than 90 years ago, Hughes’ poem remains relevant today, particularly in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. In its simple yet evocative message, the poem speaks of the value of perseverance and resilience in the face of racism and marginalization. This message has been echoed in numerous protest songs throughout history, including Nina Simone’s ‘Mississippi Goddam’ and Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Alright’, both of which speak of the continuing struggle for racial justice. In this way, Hughes’ work has been an important source of inspiration for the civil rights movement, with its power to motivate and engage remaining undiminished with the passage of time.
The Contributions of Langston Hughes
Langston Hughes was an American poet and prominent figure of the Harlem Renaissance during the 1920s. Author of more than 35 books of poetry and fiction, Hughes stands as one of the most influential African American writers of the 20th century. Hughes’ works are known for their vivid depictions of African American life and culture, as well as his commitment to racial justice. Mother to Son stands as a testament to the struggles of African Americans during the early twentieth century and is a reminder of the importance of resilience and determination in the pursuit of equality.
The Legacy of ‘Mother to Son’
Since its publication in 1925, ‘Mother to Son’ has been embraced for its frank and emotive portrayal of the African American experience in the face of adversity. Critics point to the poem’s impact on both literature and culture, naming it as a major work of the Harlem Renaissance. Through its simple yet powerful message, the poem captures the spirit of resistance and strength of those who have been denied the rights and privileges extended to others. As such, it serves as an important source of inspiration for generations of African Americans in their struggle for civil rights, and reminds us all of the value of resilience and tenacity in the face of injustice.
Structure and Formal Elements
The poem ‘Mother to Son’ is composed of a single stanza of 19 lines, making it a relatively short poem. Hughes’ clever use of literary techniques such as assonance and metaphors to capture the speaker’s determination in the face of hardship enhances its emotive power. The poem is further enriched by its use of phonetic devices, such as alliteration, to create a sense of rhythm, adding to the drama of the performance. The words ‘Mama’, ‘crystal’ and ‘splinters’ also serve to capture the hardships of the speaker’s experience.
Conclusion of Motifs
Although ‘Mother to Son’ is a simple poem in terms of structure, its emotive power and timeless relevance have made it an enduring classic. Hughes’ use of vivid imagery, metaphors and rhythmic devices such as alliteration to convey the speaker’s struggle with elegance and grace help to make his poem a lasting contribution to literature. By using the speaker’s words of determination to capture the spirit of resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, Hughes’ poem serves as a reminder of the hardship and courage of African Americans in the pursuit of civil rights. Despite being written almost 100 years ago, Mother to Son remains an important source of inspiration and hope for those who have experienced racism and marginalization.
Public Perception
The critical reception of ‘Mother to Son’ has, for the most part, been extremely positive. Critics have commended the poem for its emotive power and timeless relevance, as well as its moving message of resilience in the face of oppression. The poem has been widely anthologized and continues to be studied by students of literature. It remains a popular poem and its impact on the civil rights movement has been widely acknowledged. Its simple yet powerful message continues to provide comfort and hope to those who have experienced racism and marginalization.
Contemporary Reinterpretation
Despite being written more than 90 years ago, Hughes’ poem has found new meaning and relevance in the context of the Black Lives Matter movement. As people around the world take to the streets to call for an end to systemic racism, Hughes’ words of determination and resilience remain a source of inspiration. As such, the poem has received a number of contemporary reinterpretations from both established and emerging artists, with artists such as Common and Lauryn Hill both creating rap versions of ‘Mother to Son’.
Closing Themes
‘Mother to Son’ remains one of Langston Hughes’ most renowned works, and stands as a powerful testament to the resilience and courage of African Americans in the pursuit of equality and justice. Through simple yet powerful language, Hughes captures the harsh reality of the speaker’s experience in the face of adversity, making use of vivid imagery, metaphor and alliteration to convey her spirit of resilience and determination. The poem stands as an important source of inspiration for those seeking to overcome injustice, and its influence on both literature and the civil rights movement has been immense.
