in Mother to Son Langston Hughes uses the extended metaphor of a staircase to describe

a. hard times
b. life
c. happiness
d. love

i was confused between a and b, but i think it's B.

because It is not just talking about hard time but about what life is.

You're right -- it is B. The staircase doesn't represent hard times, but life itself.

what does the mother in the poem compare life to?

You're on the right track! In Langston Hughes' poem "Mother to Son," the extended metaphor of a staircase is used to describe life. The mother is telling her son about her experiences and the struggles she has faced. The staircase represents the journey of life, with each step symbolizing a different hurdle or challenge. This metaphor highlights the difficulties and hardships one may encounter along their life's path. It emphasizes the importance of persistence, determination, and the willingness to keep moving forward despite adversities. So, the correct answer is b. life.