Activity Overview
Another way for students to study the poem’s figurative meaning is to explore multiple interpretations of Hughes’ symbolic language. While it is clear that the staircase in the poem represents life, the specific meaning of the “tacks”, “carpet”, “landings” etc. is left to the reader’s imagination. Have students build analytical skills by focusing on a single line and imagining several symbolic interpretations for it. The storyboard above provides an example.
"Mother to Son" Ideas Web
"It's had tacks in it"
The tacks could represent times she was in physical pain.
The tacks could symbolize emotional pain.
The tacks might represent obstacles that she had to avoid.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a line from the poem and write it in the title box of the spider map.
- Write three symbolic interpretations for the line in each description box.
- Illustrate each using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
- CCSS: RL.6.1 - Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
- CCSS: RL.6.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments
- CCSS: RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
- CCSS: RL.7.1 - Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
- CCSS: RL.7.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text
- CCSS: RL.7.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama
- CCSS: RL.8.1 - Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
- CCSS: RL.8.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text
- CCSS: RL.8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts
Activity Overview
Another way for students to study the poem’s figurative meaning is to explore multiple interpretations of Hughes’ symbolic language. While it is clear that the staircase in the poem represents life, the specific meaning of the “tacks”, “carpet”, “landings” etc. is left to the reader’s imagination. Have students build analytical skills by focusing on a single line and imagining several symbolic interpretations for it. The storyboard above provides an example.
"Mother to Son" Ideas Web
"It's had tacks in it"
The tacks could represent times she was in physical pain.
The tacks could symbolize emotional pain.
The tacks might represent obstacles that she had to avoid.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Choose a line from the poem and write it in the title box of the spider map.
- Write three symbolic interpretations for the line in each description box.
- Illustrate each using appropriate scenes, characters, items, and dialogue.
- Save and Exit
Lesson Plan Reference
- CCSS: RL.6.1 - Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
- CCSS: RL.6.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments
- CCSS: RL.6.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
- CCSS: RL.7.1 - Cite several pieces of textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
- CCSS: RL.7.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text; provide an objective summary of the text
- CCSS: RL.7.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of rhymes and other repetitions of sounds (e.g., alliteration) on a specific verse or stanza of a poem or section of a story or drama
- CCSS: RL.8.1 - Cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text
- CCSS: RL.8.2 - Determine a theme or central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to the characters, setting, and plot; provide an objective summary of the text
- CCSS: RL.8.4 - Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including analogies or allusions to other texts
More Storyboard That Activities
Mother to Son
![Mother to Son by Langston Hughes - Figurative Language in "Mother to Son"](http://cdn.storyboardthat.com/storyboard-cells/3036063/cell-col-0-row-0-w400.png "Mother to Son by Langston Hughes - Figurative Language in "Mother to Son"")
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