Mother to Son
BY LANGSTON HUGHES
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
l'se been a-climbin' 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 'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
Which of the following statements best describes a major theme of the poem?
A. Hope is the answer to all challenges B. Respect your elders C. Never forget your family D. Persevere when life isn’t easy