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-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 I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

Extended Metaphor Study

In this poem, Hughes develops a sort of negative extended metaphor by having the speaker compare her life to a staircase that "ain't been no crystal stair."  In other words, she develops the metaphor by describing what it isn't rather than what it is.  With that in mind, answer the following questions about this poem's unique use of extended metaphor.

1) What is implied by the image of a crystal stair?  What qualities would a crystal stair have?  Who's life might be accurately described as a crystal stair?

2) The speaker describes a staircase that is much different than a crystal stair but never gives it a name.  In a two-word phrase parallel to the term, crystal stair, name the speaker's staircase.

3) Identify each characteristic of the extended metaphor - there are eight total in my opinion.  For each, what images, ideas, or feelings are implied?

4) What other techniques does Hughes use to create the tone, mood, and theme of this poem?  How effective do you think each is?  Explain.