Discuss the theme of "Mother to Son" by Langston Hughes.

In my mind, the most powerful element of Hughes' poem is the
theme of struggle that seems to be passed down from one generation to another. A trademark of
Hughes' poetry is that he conveyed an authentic sense of struggle in his work. For Hughes, being
Black in America was synonymous with struggle and facing challenge and adversity. Hughes was
committed to presenting this aspect of social realism in its widest form. It is in this that I
see the theme of struggle and perseverance most present in the poem. The idea of life "ain't been
no crystal stair," reinforces how the mother has faced adversity and challenge. Her only hope is
that her son "don't fall now" as he climbs the same stairs and she did and still does ("I'se
still climbin'.) There is something particular persuasive about the theme of the struggle that is
passed down from generation to generation. Hughes is not making a statement that condemns people
of color to fight and to struggle, but rather is suggesting that a part of the modern condition
is to face and acknowledge adversity and to not allow it to overwhelm the individual. It becomes
one of the modern testaments to seek to overcome these obstacles and relay this narrative to
children, who must do the same. I find this as one of the most powerful elements in the
poem.