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In Histedtalklinks To An External Site Poetry Professor Daniel Tysda
In his TedTalkLinks to an external site. , poetry professor Daniel Tysdal says that poetry is how we can express and respond to moments in life that set us "off balance," including both celebrations and tragedies. Think about the poems we read for this Module and discuss how one of them does just that: expresses the speaker's response to an event that puts them off balance. Consider questions like: o § What event or occasion is being described? § What is the speaker's emotional response? § How can readers relate or understand the poem? SEE UPLOADED FILE FOR FULL DETAILS PLEASE MLA FORMAT
Paper For Above instruction
The role of poetry in expressing human emotional responses to life’s pivotal moments is a profound theme explored in many poetic works. In this paper, I analyze the poem “Mother to Son” by Langston Hughes, which vividly captures the speaker’s response to a life-altering event that leaves her feeling off balance—her ongoing struggle to persevere despite hardships. Hughes’s poem effectively illustrates how poetry serves as a medium for expressing emotional upheaval and resilience, aligning with Daniel Tysdal’s assertion that poetry reflects moments that unsettle us, whether they are moments of celebration or tragedy.
The poem “Mother to Son” describes a life's journey viewed through the metaphor of an ascent with many obstacles. The speaker portrays her life as a staircase that has been 'cracked and torn,' symbolizing the accumulation of hardships and setbacks (Hughes, line 3). The specific event or occasion depicted is not a singular incident but rather the continuous experience of adversity. The mother shares her experiences with her son, emphasizing that life has not been easy, but she urges him to continue moving upward despite the difficulties. The emotional response conveyed by the speaker is one of perseverance, resilience, and unyielding hope. Her tone is both instructive and sympathetic, acknowledging the hardships while encouraging endurance. The line “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair” (Hughes, line 1) encapsulates her honest acknowledgment of struggle, yet her resolve remains steadfast.
Readers can relate to the poem because it encapsulates the universal experience of facing adversity and the determination to overcome it. The metaphor of climbing stairs resonates across different contexts—whether personal, social, or political. The speaker’s honest reflection on hardship and her refusal to give up inspire empathy and solidarity in readers. Hughes’s choice of simple language and vivid imagery ensures accessibility, allowing a broad audience to connect emotionally with the poem’s message.
Furthermore, the poem exemplifies how moments that distort balance — such as hardship, loss, or societal discrimination — can serve as catalysts for resilience expressed through poetic voice. Hughes’s portrayal of perseverance amidst difficulty demonstrates that poetry can be an empowering response to life’s challenges. The emotional depth conveyed through the mother’s voice offers readers a sense of shared human experience, illustrating that even in moments of imbalance, there is strength to be found.
In conclusion, “Mother to Son” embodies Daniel Tysdal’s assertion about poetry as a means of responding to life's destabilizing moments. Through vivid imagery and heartfelt emotion, Hughes captures the resilience required to confront life's hardships. The poem’s universal themes of perseverance and hope resonate deeply, reaffirming poetry's power to articulate responses to moments that unsettle us, and to inspire both reflection and resilience in its readers.
References
Hughes, Langston. “Mother to Son.” The Collected Poems of Langston Hughes, Vintage Classics, 1994, pp. 123-124.