Chapter 1: My Mother at Sixty-Six – Class 12 English Flamingo NCERT Solutions
Poem 1: My Mother at Sixty-Six – Summary and Key Insights
Poet: Kamala Das
Form: Lyric Poem
Theme: Aging, Parental Love, Separation, Mortality, Nostalgia
Poem Summary
\”My Mother at Sixty-six\” by Kamala Das is a poignant and reflective poem about the poet’s feelings of love, fear, and sorrow towards her aging mother. The poem is written in the first person, reflecting the poet\’s personal emotions as she watches her mother, who is now sixty-six, grow older. The poem explores themes of aging, the inevitability of death, and the bond between mother and child.
The poem begins with the speaker describing her mother sitting beside her in the car as they are traveling to the airport. The mother, now sixty-six, appears frail and old, and the poet observes her with a mixture of love and sadness. The mother’s face, pale and lined with age, reminds the poet of the passing of time and the fragility of life.
As the poet watches her mother, she is filled with a deep sense of fear and helplessness. She realizes that her mother is growing old, and her mortality is becoming more apparent with every passing day. The sight of her mother’s frailty fills the poet with sorrow, as she knows that one day she will have to face the reality of her mother\’s death.
Despite the sadness, the poet tries to calm herself by focusing on the present moment, knowing that she must eventually say goodbye to her mother. She also observes her mother’s deep emotional attachment to her, as the mother doesn’t want to let go of her daughter. The poet, in turn, has to face the reality of growing up, leaving her mother behind, and dealing with the inevitable separation that time brings.
The poem concludes with the poet reassuring herself that this inevitable parting is natural. The realization of the passage of time and the cycle of life brings the poet a bittersweet acceptance of mortality.
Key Themes
Aging and Mortality: The central theme of the poem is the inevitability of aging and death. The poet is confronted with the reality of her mother growing old and the sense of helplessness that comes with the knowledge that life is finite.
Parental Love and Bond: The poem reflects the deep emotional bond between the poet and her mother. The love and concern the poet feels for her mother are expressed in her observations of her mother’s frailty. The fear of losing a loved one is a powerful emotion that runs through the poem.
Separation: There is a strong sense of separation in the poem, both physical and emotional. The poet is leaving her mother to return to her own life, and this parting brings a sense of sadness and loss.
Nostalgia: The poet\’s reflections on her mother\’s aging also evoke nostalgia. She recalls the moments of her childhood, when she may have seen her mother as strong and indestructible. Now, as her mother ages, the poet is reminded of the fleeting nature of time.
Acceptance of Life’s Cycles: The poet ultimately comes to terms with the inevitability of aging, death, and separation. While there is sorrow in the realization, there is also an understanding that these cycles are a natural part of life.
Character Sketches
The Poet\’s Mother: The mother is portrayed as frail, aged, and vulnerable. At the age of sixty-six, she embodies the natural process of aging. The mother is depicted as someone who, despite her old age, still has a strong emotional attachment to her daughter, making it difficult for her to let go. Her frailty symbolizes the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death.
The Poet (Kamala Das): The poet, who is the speaker of the poem, is filled with both love and fear. She is emotionally connected to her mother and deeply concerned about her aging process. The poem reveals her fear of losing her mother and her sorrow at seeing her mother’s vulnerability. Despite this, she also comes to an acceptance of the natural cycle of life and the need to let go.
Important Points
Imagery of Aging: The poet uses vivid imagery to describe her mother’s aging. Words like \”pale,\” \”wrinkled,\” and \”doze\” evoke the physical frailty of old age. These descriptions serve to highlight the passage of time and the vulnerability of the mother.
The Poet\’s Emotional Conflict: The poem portrays the emotional conflict within the poet as she sees her mother aging. While the poet feels an intense emotional connection and sorrow, she also acknowledges the inevitability of time and death.
The Car Ride: The car ride represents both a literal and metaphorical journey. The journey to the airport marks the physical separation between the poet and her mother, but it also symbolizes the emotional distance between the two. The poet must face the separation and the fact that life, and death, are inevitable.
The Theme of Impermanence: The poem emphasizes the transient nature of life. The mother’s aging body reminds the poet of the fleeting nature of time and the impermanence of all things. This realization brings both sorrow and a deep appreciation for the time that remains.
Important Questions
How does the poet express her fear of losing her mother in the poem?
What role does the imagery of the mother’s frailty play in the poem?
How does the poem reflect the universal theme of aging and mortality?
What is the significance of the car ride in the poem?
What
does the poet mean when she says that she is trying to \”put away\” the thoughts of her mother’s frailty?How does the poem convey the emotional conflict between love and fear?
Discuss the theme of separation in the poem.
What is the final realization of the poet in the poem?
Answers
A1.
The poet expresses her fear of losing her mother through the description of her mother’s frailty and aging. The image of her mother’s \”pale face\” and \”wrinkled\” features highlights the mother’s vulnerability, which fills the poet with sorrow. The poet fears the impending loss of her mother, a sentiment that is intensified by the thought of her own helplessness in the face of aging.
A2.
The imagery of the mother’s frailty serves to emphasize the passage of time and the vulnerability that comes with old age. Words like \”pale,\” \”doze,\” and \”wrinkled\” depict the physical signs of aging and evoke a sense of sadness and helplessness in the poet. This imagery is central to the poem’s theme of mortality and the inevitability of aging.
A3.
The poem reflects the universal theme of aging and mortality by focusing on the poet’s personal feelings towards her aging mother. The poet’s emotional response to her mother’s frailty mirrors the experiences of many individuals who must face the inevitable reality of their loved ones growing older and eventually passing away.
A4.
The car ride in the poem serves as both a literal journey and a metaphorical journey of separation. The physical act of the poet leaving her mother at the airport symbolizes the emotional distance between them. This separation also represents the inevitable parting that comes with time and aging, which the poet must face.
A5.
When the poet says that she is trying to \”put away\” the thoughts of her mother’s frailty, she is referring to her attempt to suppress her fear and sadness about her mother’s aging. The poet tries to focus on the present moment and avoid dwelling on the reality of her mother’s vulnerability, even though the thought is difficult to ignore.
A6.
The emotional conflict between love and fear is conveyed through the poet’s observations of her mother. While the poet feels deep love and concern for her mother, she is also filled with fear at the thought of losing her. This dual emotion of love and fear is central to the poem, reflecting the complexity of the poet’s feelings towards her aging mother.
A7.
The theme of separation is evident in the poem, especially when the poet leaves her mother at the airport. The physical separation between the poet and her mother mirrors the emotional separation that comes with aging and death. The poem underscores the inevitability of separation in life, particularly the eventual parting from loved ones.
A8.
The poet’s final realization in the poem is the acceptance of the inevitability of aging and mortality. While she is filled with sadness and fear, she comes to understand that this is a natural part of life. The realization that death is inevitable helps the poet come to terms with her emotions and accept the transient nature of existence.
Preparation Tips for Students
Reflect on the themes of aging, mortality, and love. Think about how these universal themes are explored in the poem.
Pay attention to the imagery used in the poem, especially in relation to the mother’s aging. How does this imagery help convey the poet’s feelings?
Practice answering questions that ask about the emotional conflict between love and fear.
Focus on understanding the significance of the car ride and how it represents separation.
Think about the final realization of the poet. How does this shift in perspective relate to the themes of the poem?
Class 12 English Flamingo Poem Chapter 1 My Mother at Sixty-six
Important stanzas for comprehension
1. Driving from my parents’ home to Cochin last Friday morning, I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed, her face ashen like that of a corpse and realised with pain that she was as old as she looked but soon
(a) Where was the poet driving to? Who was sitting beside her?
The poet was driving from her parents’ home to the Cochin airport. Her mother was sitting next to her in the car.
(b) What did the poet notice about her mother?
The poet observed that her mother was dozing with her mouth open and her face appeared pale and lifeless.
(c) Why did her mother’s face look like that of a corpse?
Her mother’s face looked dull and colourless due to aging, which made her resemble a corpse.
(d) Find words from the passage which mean:
(i) sleep lightly – doze
(ii) dead body – corpse
(iii) felt – realised
2. …She looked but soon put that thought away, and looked out at Young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes,
(a) What did the poet realise? How did she feel?
The poet realised with sadness that her mother had become old, weak, and frail.
(b) What did she do then?
To distract herself from this painful thought, the poet looked outside the car window.
(c) What did she notice in the world outside?
She saw young trees rushing past the moving car and cheerful children running out of their homes.
(d) Find words from the passage which mean:
(i) running fast – sprinting
(ii) happy – merry
(iii) moving out – spilling
3. …but after the airport’s security check, standing a few yards away, I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winter’s moon and felt that old familiar ache, my childhood’s fear, but all I said was, see you soon, Amma, all I did was smile and smile and smile
(a) What did the poet do after the security check?
After the security check, the poet stood a few yards away and looked back at her mother one last time.
(b) Why did the poet compare her mother’s face to a late winter’s moon?
She compared it to a late winter’s moon because it looked pale, dim, and lifeless, reflecting her mother’s old age and fragility.
(c) What is her childhood fear?
Her childhood fear is the fear of losing her mother—either through death or separation.
(d) How do the parting words of the poet and her smile present a contrast to her real feelings?
Although the poet is feeling deep sorrow and anxiety, she hides her emotions with repeated smiles and comforting words. Her outward cheer contrasts with her inner pain.
QUESTIONS FROM TEXTBOOK SOLVED
Q1. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?
The poet experiences a deep emotional pain when she notices her mother’s pale and lifeless face, which reminds her of death. This ache is not new—it’s an old, familiar fear that has haunted her since childhood: the fear of losing her mother. Seeing her ageing so visibly brings back that anxiety. Ageing is an unavoidable part of life, and this painful reminder of mortality affects the poet deeply.
Q2. Why are the young trees described as ‘sprinting’?
As the poet looks out of the moving car on the way to the airport, the young trees appear to be rushing past. Their motion symbolizes energy, vitality, and the rush of life. This image of sprinting trees forms a stark contrast with her mother, who is dozing quietly and appears frail and still. The contrast highlights the difference between youth and old age.
Q3. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children ‘spilling out of their homes’?
The poet includes the image of joyful children running out of their homes to show a vibrant and lively world full of movement and happiness. This is directly contrasted with her mother’s quiet, lifeless presence in the car. While the children represent youth, joy, and the beginning of life’s journey, her mother represents ageing, stillness, and the nearing of life’s end. The contrast strengthens the emotional impact of the poem.
Q4. Why has the mother been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’?
The comparison of the mother to the ‘late winter’s moon’ reflects her faded appearance. Like the moon in late winter, her face looks pale, dull, and weak. It no longer glows with the vitality of youth. This poetic simile powerfully captures the mother’s ageing and fragile state, making the image both vivid and touching.
Q5. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?
The poet’s words and smile at the end are meant to comfort both herself and her mother. Despite feeling a deep sadness and fear inside, she puts on a brave front. Saying “See you soon, Amma” is her way of giving hope and reassurance, even though she is scared of losing her mother. Her repeated smile is an effort to mask the emotional pain and anxiety she feels about this possible separation.
MORE QUESTIONS SOLVED
Q1. Where was the poet going and who was with her?
The poet was on her way to the Cochin airport, driving from her parents’ home. Her mother was sitting beside her in the passenger seat. The mother appeared to be dozing off with her mouth open, looking pale and still—an image that deeply affected the poet.
Q2. What was the poet’s childhood fear? [All India 2014]
The poet’s childhood fear was the fear of losing her mother. Seeing her mother aged and frail reminded the poet of that deep-seated fear of separation and death that she had experienced as a child.
Q3. What does the poet’s mother look like? What kind of images has the poet used to signify her ageing decay?
The poet’s mother appears old, weak, and tired. She is dozing with her mouth slightly open, and her face is pale and lifeless. The poet compares her to a corpse and later to the late winter’s moon to emphasize her ageing, frailty, and lack of vitality.
Q4. What does the poet realise with pain? Why does the poet ‘put that thought away’ and look outside?
The poet painfully realises that her mother is ageing and may soon pass away. This thought causes her emotional distress. To avoid confronting this painful reality, she chooses to look out of the window and distract herself with the vibrant life outside.
Q5. Describe the world inside the car and compare it to the activities taking place outside.
Inside the car, the mood is somber and quiet, dominated by the image of the poet’s elderly mother resting silently. In contrast, the world outside is energetic and full of life. The poet sees trees seemingly running past and children happily playing outside their homes. This contrast underscores the themes of youth versus old age and life versus mortality.
Q6. Why does the poet look outside? What does she see happening outside?
The poet looks outside to divert her mind from the painful thought of her mother’s old age and eventual death. Outside, she sees young trees rushing past and happy children spilling out of their homes, symbolizing life, vitality, and the continuity of generations.
Q7. How has the poet contrasted the scene inside the car with the activities going on outside?
Inside the car is stillness and the stark image of aging, represented by the poet’s mother. Outside, there is motion and joy, represented by the sprinting trees and merry children. This contrast powerfully illustrates the difference between ageing and youth, stagnation and liveliness.
Q8. What does the poet do after the security check-up? What does she notice?
After completing the security check at the airport, the poet stands a few yards away and looks back at her mother. She notices that her mother looks even paler and more fragile than before, and she compares her face to the late winter’s moon—pale, distant, and waning, symbolizing the nearing end of life.