The crystal stair represents privilege and social advantage. The poem is set on a metaphorical staircase, though the “crystal stair” in particular (Lines 2, 20) represents the opposite of the implied setting; the life the speaker couldn’t have. Crystals are precious, transparent (which gives them the false impression of delicacy), and, when polished into jewelery or houseware, smooth. These are all in contrast with the rough staircase the speaker describes. While the speaker has had to traverse a dangerous road filled with challenges, others — in particular white Americans — have had a journey specially designed to lift them above others. This staircase represents the ease and entitlement with which more privileged groups of people were able to make their way through life.