Read the following poem "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes. Answer each of six following questions "to the fifth slash." "To the fifth slash" means a minimum of 5 possible answers. 1. Who is the Speaker? (Remember to look beyond the poet for possible answers.) 2. What is the Occasion? (The text should dictate this response) 3. Who is the Audience? (Think specifically, then broadly, then globally.) 4. What is the Purpose? (These answers should be parallel to the audience identified) 5. What is the Subject? (Unlike a theme statement, this can be a one-word response) 6. What is the Tone? (Should include contrasting, yet complimentary tones) 1. Speaker 2. Occasion 3. Audience 4. Purpose 5. Subject 6. Tone
Mother to Son
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor-
Bare.
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 climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
Mother to Son
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor-
Bare.
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 climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.