Read the poem below and answer questions.

Well, son, I’ll tell you:
Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.
It’s had tacks in it, (3)
And splinters,
And patriarchy,
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.

What is the significance of ‘tacks’ used in line 3 ?

It is a symbol of hardships

The correct answer is OPTION 4 -  It is a symbol of hardships

• The poem uses the metaphor of a broken, difficult staircase to represent the struggles and challenges of life.

• "Tacks" and "splinters" symbolize pain, obstacles, and difficulties that the speaker has faced.

• The stairs are not smooth (not a "crystal stair"), meaning life has been full of struggles and hardships.

• The main theme of the poem is perseverance despite challenges, which makes "hardships" the most suitable interpretation.

OTHER OPTIONS

• It is a symbol of lies  (Nowhere in the poem does "tacks" suggest deception or dishonesty.)

• It is a symbol of poverty  (While poverty may be implied through "bare floors" and "torn boards," tacks specifically symbolize difficulties, not just financial struggles.)

• It is a symbol of loneliness  (The poem focuses on struggle and perseverance, not isolation.