1. The Title "The Mother":
- The title itself symbolizes the central theme of the poem, which revolves around the experiences, sacrifices, and unconditional love of a mother.
2. The Kitchen Setting:
- The kitchen is often seen as a symbol of domesticity and nurturing. In the context of the poem, it represents the mother's domain and the realm of her love and labor.
3. The "Old, Old Mood" and "New Moods":
- These contrasting moods symbolize the mother's fluctuating emotional states, torn between the familiarity of her traditional maternal role and the yearning for personal fulfillment.
4. The "Cages" of Motherhood:
- The cage metaphor signifies the constraints and limitations that society and traditional gender roles impose on mothers, confining them to domestic responsibilities.
5. The "Children":
- The children represent the mother's unconditional love and the sacrifices she makes for their well-being. They can also be seen as symbols of the mother's hopes, dreams, and fears for their future.
6. The "House Full of Truth" and "House Full of Lies":
- These contrasting phrases symbolize the complex duality of motherhood—the joys, challenges, and conflicting emotions that mothers experience.
7. The Final Image of "Love's Way" and "Darkened Street":
- This image suggests that despite the challenges and sacrifices of motherhood, love is the guiding light that illuminates the mother's path, even in the face of uncertainties and difficulties.
Through these symbols, Gwendolyn Brooks explores the complexities of motherhood, portraying the inner struggles, conflicting emotions, and immense love that mothers experience. The poem invites readers to reflect on the multifaceted role of mothers in society and to appreciate the sacrifices they make for their children.