Hughes's compared the life of the mother to that crystal stairs to illustrate her life journey and the perseverance it took her to keep moving forward. He utilized vernacular language to enhance the speaker's character and the way the theme was conveyed. Finally, he incorporated many symbols in the poem to get the theme across as well; a theme that can be attributed to Langton Hughes's grandmother. If Hughes's grandmother had not persevered through all the difficulties she faced in life, she would not have had any inspirational advice to give her grandson. Although, because she persevered, she would provide Langston Hughes with great advice that ultimately made him determined to become a famous