In “Mother to Son,” life has “tacks,” “splinters,” “boards torn up,” and “no carpet.” What does this staircase image mean?

In “I, Too,” the speaker is sent “to eat in the kitchen / When company comes.” What does the kitchen image show?

In “I, Too,” the speaker says, “Tomorrow, / I’ll sit at the table.” What does the table image suggest?

In “Dreams,” life without dreams is “a broken-winged bird / That cannot fly.” What does this image mean?

In “Dreams,” life without dreams is “a barren field / Frozen with snow.” What does this image emphasize?

In “Mother to Son,” “landin’s” and “turnin’ corners” appear during the climb. What do these images add?

What claim does the extended staircase metaphor in “Mother to Son” make about hardship?

What claim does the kitchen-and-table image in “I, Too” make about American belonging?

What claim do the bird and field images in “Dreams” make about dreams?

How does the extended metaphor in “Mother to Son” shape the speaker’s advice?

Across “I, Too,” what does the movement from kitchen to table claim?

In “Mother to Son,” which line best develops the theme that perseverance continues during hardship?

In “Dreams,” which line best develops the theme that dreams must be protected?

In “I, Too,” which line best develops the theme that the speaker belongs to the nation?

In “Mother to Son,” which line develops the theme that stopping because life is hard is dangerous?

In “I, Too,” which line develops the speaker’s confidence that exclusion will change?

“Mother to Son” uses a damaged staircase; “I, Too” uses a kitchen and table. How are the images alike?

“Mother to Son” says to keep climbing; “Dreams” says a broken-winged bird cannot fly. How do the movement images differ?

“I, Too” looks to “Tomorrow”; “Dreams” says to “Hold fast to dreams.” What do the images share?

“Mother to Son” contrasts a hard stair with “no crystal stair”; “Dreams” contrasts life with and without dreams. What do both contrasts do?