CBSE Class 12 English My Mother At Sixty Six Notes Set 04

POETRY

My Mother At Sixty-Six

About the Poet

Kamala Das (1934 - 2009) is recognised as one of India's foremost poets. Her works are known for their originality, versatility and the indigenous flavour of the soil. She has published many works in English and Malayalam under the name 'Madhavikutty'. She has written on many diverse topics including women's issues, childcare and politics.

Central Idea of the Poem

The poem written in lyrical idiom captures the feelings of coming to terms with a parent’s ageing, the fear of loss and the attempt to hide these emotions with a smile. The poet is going back to her home when she realises that her mother had grown old and might die soon. Witnessing her mother’s frailty, symbolised by her ashen face, triggers a wave of emotions - from denial to fear and eventually resignation. Despite the vibrant scenes outside the car window, the poet’s attention is drawn to the inevitable passage of time and the fragility of life.

Explanation of the Poem

Stanza 1

“Driving from my parent’s
home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother,
beside me, doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that of a corpse”

Exp. The poet had gone to visit her parents’ home. Last Friday, she was returning to her home in Cochin. On her way to the airport, she noticed her mother sleeping beside her in the car. Her mouth was open and her face was pale and lifeless, just like a dead body.

Stanza 2

“and realised with pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away, and
looked out at young
Trees sprinting, the merry children
spilling out of their homes”

Exp. The poet was alarmed by the sudden realisation that her mother had grown old. It was a reality she found hard to accept. So, to take her attention away from the disturbing thought, she looked outside the car. She saw that, the young green trees appeared to be running in the opposite direction. She also saw a group of children rushing out of their homes to play. The image of the young sprinting trees and the children represent youth which was full of life and energy. Both these images present a sharp contrast to the old and ill mother sitting beside the poet.

Stanza 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”

Exp. After reaching the airport and passing through security check, the poet again looked at her mother who was standing a few yards away from her. Her mother looked lifeless and dull like a late winter’s moon. The image of ‘a late winter’s moon’ emphasises the poet’s mother’s old age and impending death.

Stanza 4

“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...”

Exp. Once again, the poet was pained to see her mother in this condition. As she was going away and leaving her mother, her old familiar pain—her childhood fear that she would lose her mother, suddenly came back to her. So, she tried to hide her emotions behind her smile. She did not want to reveal her feelings to her old mother, so instead she bade her farewell with a smile. She gave hope to her mother and herself by saying that they would meet again and kept on smiling.

Word-Meaning

• doze: sleep lightly
• ashen: very pale with shock, fear or illness
• corpse: a dead body
• spilling out: rushing out
• wan: pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion
• ache: pain

Literary devices used in the Poem

• Tone: Observant, reflective and sad
• Rhyme Scheme: Free verse
• Enjambment: The entire poem is written as a single sentence punctuated by commas.
• Simile:
  • Stanza 1 ‘her face ashen like that of corpse’
  • Stanza 3 ‘as a late winter’s moon’
  • Both of these expressions indicate the old age and lack of vitality in the poet’s mother.
• Personification: Stanza 2 ‘young Trees Sprinting’ (indicates that the trees seem to be moving in the opposite direction of the car)
• Imagery: Stanza 2 ‘young Trees Sprinting and merry children spilling’ (presents a young and energetic image that stands in contrast to the old and weak mother)
• Repetition: Stanza 4 ‘smile and smile and smile’ (to emphasise on the reassurance given by the poet)