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 no crystal stair.

What advice does the speaker give to his/her son in the poem?

The correct option is: Stay strong and never give up in life.

Step-by-step Explanation:

1. Analyze the speaker's message: The speaker begins by describing their own life as a difficult journey, using the metaphor of a stair that is not "crystal" but rather filled with "tacks," "splinters," "boards torn up," and "bare" spots. This metaphor represents hardship, poverty, and struggle.

2. Analyze the speaker's actions: Despite these obstacles, the speaker explains that they have kept going: "But all the time / I’se been a-climbin’ on / And reachin’ landin’s." This emphasizes perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity.

3. Identify the direct advice: The speaker then turns directly to the son to offer advice, saying: "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."

4. Connect to the correct option: Telling the son not to "turn back," "set down," or "fall" even when it is "kinder hard" is a direct encouragement to persevere. Therefore, the advice given is to stay strong and never give up in life, which perfectly matches the correct option.