"Mother to Son" - Langston Hughes

I think that both poems are very similar in meaning, of course they both address the struggles the African Americans faced at that time, but they also both address the hope that is offered by the American dream regardless of all the struggles. The mother in "Mother To Son" and the narrator of "I, Too" are both determined to fight on and overcome suppression because they know that they are worth being recognized. But there is a prominent difference between the narrations of the poem. "I, Too" is in direct first person which gives a much closer internal connection by hearing their individualized thoughts about how they will prove that he/she is "America" too. This revealed the concept of how individuals really must persevere on their own to gain their American dream. In "Mother to Son" the mother is advising the son and explaining the struggles she has faced and essentially instilling hope in him for the future. This portrayed how the black community really banded together and advised each other because they all faced similar struggles. There is a sense of unity in the concept of chasing your American dream in this poem where in "I, Too" it's a much more individual and determined to get to the top on your own. The son still must make the journey up the stairs on his own but his mother is making sure he makes the most of it as she had. So what really is the best way to achieve the American dream; entirely on your own or with a sense of occasional guidance?