mother to son

In the poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes, Hughes uses many poetic devices that help analysis the meaning behind his poem. Hughes creates a speaker, a mother that informs her son that her life has not been easy at all. By using a mother as a speaker and a son as the recipient of the mother's speech, it makes the poem become more significant. A bond between these two individuals is many times looked at as very strong pertinent."Life for me ain't been no crystal stair". Hughes uses metaphor to compare the mother's strenuous life to something durable and stable. He also uses symbolism to compare the mother's hardships throughout her life as splinters and torn boards. The diction Hughes uses lines 12-14 evoke hope. (And sometimes goin' in the dark where there ain't been no light. So boy, don't you turn back". The mother instills faith in her child to never give up even when all seems lost. Hughes also uses imagery in lines 9-11. (I'se been a-climbin' on, and reachin' landin's, and turnin corners". Hughes conveys an image where the mother keeps holding on and overcoming the many obstacles that life has thrown her way. The theme in this poem conveys a central message that no matter how difficult life may seem at the moment, don't allow it to overpower you.