My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das
Summary
The poem is a heartfelt expression of
the poet Kamala Das’s thoughts and emotions as she accompanies her ageing mother
to the airport. During this seemingly simple drive, she observes her mother
asleep beside her and is struck by the realisation of her mother’s fragility
and old age. This moment triggers a wave of fear and sadness within the poet as
she is reminded of the inevitable truth of mortality and separation. However,
instead of breaking down, she maintains a brave face and bids her mother
goodbye with a smile, concealing her inner turmoil.
Poem Analysis
"My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a
personal and emotional poem written in free verse. The poet reflects on the universal
theme of ageing, particularly the pain of witnessing a loved one grow old. The
narrative is intimate, capturing a fleeting yet deeply emotional moment between
a daughter and her mother. The poem begins with a vivid description of the
mother sleeping in the car, her face pale and lifeless like a corpse. As the
poet looks out the window, she sees young trees sprouting and children
playing—symbols of youth and vitality that contrast sharply with her mother’s
stillness and ageing. At the airport, despite her rising fear and grief, the
poet manages to conceal her emotions with a smile, showcasing the strength it
takes to mask sorrow in the face of inevitable parting. The poem’s understated
tone, poignant imagery, and lack of rhyme scheme make it both realistic and
relatable.
Themes
The theme of ageing and mortality forms
the core of the poem. The mother, who once symbolised care and security, is now
old, fragile, and approaching the end of life. The poem captures this painful
transformation with tenderness and fear.
Another strong theme is the emotional bond between a mother and daughter.
Despite her fear, the poet remains composed, revealing the depth of love and
unspoken care.
The theme of emotional concealment is also present, as the poet suppresses her
grief and pretends to be strong for the sake of her mother. This reflects the
strength people often need to show in difficult situations.
The contrast between youth and old age is a recurring theme. The poet uses
images of young children and trees to emphasise the vitality of life, which
starkly opposes her mother’s tired state.
Finally, the theme of parting and separation emerges as the poet leaves her
mother at the airport, possibly for the last time, carrying with her the silent
pain of this goodbye.
Poetic Devices
1. Simile – "Her
face ashen like that of a corpse" compares the mother's pale face to a
dead body, suggesting lifelessness.
2. Anaphora – The repetition of words at the beginning of
consecutive lines, such as "I looked again at her" and "smile
and smile and smile", to create emphasis.
3. Alliteration – Repetition of consonant sounds, for example, "My
mother at sixty-six", "silent...sleeping".
4. Repetition – "Smile and smile and smile"
reinforces the effort to mask emotion.
5. Imagery – The poem paints vivid pictures of the mother’s
pale face, sprinting trees, and children spilling out of homes.
6. Contrast – Between the poet’s aged mother and the energetic
scenes outside.
7. Enjambment – Lines flow without punctuation, mimicking a
stream of consciousness.
8. Symbolism – Trees and children symbolise youth and life; the
mother and the winter moon symbolise ageing and fading life.
"Her face ashen like that of a
corpse" suggests lifelessness and fear of death.
"Children spilling out of their homes" represents life, energy, and a
contrast to the stillness of the mother.
"I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winter’s moon" compares
the mother’s dim appearance to the pale moon, which symbolises dullness and old
age.
"Smile and smile and smile…" reflects the poet's emotional mask to
conceal her deep pain.
Vocabulary
Ashen – Pale; lacking colour
Corpse – A dead body
Sprinting – Running very fast
Wan – Pale, weak
Receding – Moving away; diminishing
Doze – Light sleep
Glance – A brief look
Pale – Lacking healthy colour
Spill out – Come out quickly and in large numbers
Reassuring – Making someone feel less worried
Word Web
Word – Pale
Meaning – Lacking colour or brightness
Synonyms – Wan, colourless, ashen
Antonyms – Rosy, flushed, radiant
Part of Speech – Adjective
Sentence – Her face looked pale and tired after the long journey.
Textbook Questions:
Q1. What is the kind of pain and ache
does the poet feel?
Ans. The poet experiences a deep emotional pain as she sees
her mother ageing and realises that death may soon separate them. It revives the
childhood fear of losing her mother, causing her to feel helpless and
sorrowful.
Q2. Why are the young trees described
as sprinting?
Ans. The trees seem to be sprinting as the car moves
forward. Symbolically, this image contrasts with the still and lifeless figure
of the mother. It also signifies the swift passage of time and the vitality of
youth.
Q3. Why has the poet brought in the
image of the ‘merry children spilling out of their homes’?
Ans. This image highlights youth, joy, and liveliness, which
contrast starkly with the poet’s aged and pale mother. It represents the cycle
of life and the inevitability of ageing.
Q4. Why has the mother been compared to
the ‘late winter’s moon’?
Ans. The late winter’s moon appears dim and fading, just
like the poet’s mother. It symbolises the twilight of life, decay, and the
nearing of death.
Q5. What do the parting words of the
poet and her smile signify?
Ans. The poet’s parting smile is a brave attempt to mask her
sorrow and offer comfort to her mother. It reveals her strength in concealing
her emotional pain and her desire to not burden her mother with worry.
HOTS (Higher Order
Thinking Skills)
Q1. How does the poem highlight the
contrast between vitality and ageing?
Ans. The poem effectively draws a contrast between the
energy of the outside world and the stillness inside the car. While the mother
appears lifeless and pale, the poet observes trees swaying and children
playing. These external scenes are symbolic of youth, movement, and life, while
the mother represents ageing and stagnation. This contrast intensifies the
emotional impact, making the reader reflect on the inevitable cycle of life
where vitality eventually fades into stillness.
Q2. What is the poet’s inner conflict in
the poem?
Ans. The poet is caught between her emotional vulnerability
and the need to appear composed. She is overwhelmed with the fear of losing her
mother, but she does not allow herself to express this sorrow outwardly.
Instead, she smiles—again and again—despite the heaviness in her heart. This
inner conflict between grief and strength showcases the emotional resilience
that comes from love and responsibility.
Extra Questions
Q1. How does the poet react to her
mother’s ageing face?
Ans. She feels a deep sense of sorrow and fear, but manages to hide her emotions
by forcing a smile.
Q2. Why does the poet use images of the
outside world?
Ans. These images contrast the vitality of youth with the fragility of old age,
highlighting the poet's sense of loss.
Q3. What memories are revived in the
poet’s mind?
Ans. Her childhood fears of separation and death resurface when she sees her
mother’s fragile appearance.
Q4. Why doesn’t the poet express her
emotions openly?
Ans. To avoid upsetting her mother, the poet suppresses her feelings and
chooses to smile instead.
Q5. What is the significance of the
poem’s title?
Ans. It focuses on the mother’s age, setting the context for the poet’s
reflections on ageing and the passage of time.
Q6. How does the poet convey her love
for her mother?
Ans. Through her silent observations, internal fears, and efforts to appear
strong, the poet reveals deep affection and care.
Q7. What is the role of contrast in the
poem?
Ans. It emphasises the difference between youth and ageing, reinforcing the
emotional depth of the poet’s experience.
Q8. Why is the poet’s smile described
as ‘repetitive’?
Ans. It reflects her effort to hide the same recurring emotions—pain, fear, and
the burden of parting.
Value-Based Questions
(VBQs)
Q1. What values does the poet
demonstrate by not expressing her pain in front of her mother?
Ans. The poet demonstrates emotional maturity, empathy, and
selflessness. She chooses not to express her grief openly because she doesn’t
want to add to her mother’s emotional burden. Instead, she puts her mother’s
comfort above her own emotional release. Her silent strength reflects the depth
of her love and the value she places on protecting those she cares about, even
if it means suppressing her own pain.
Q2. What life lesson does the poem
teach us about dealing with ageing and mortality?
Ans. The poem teaches us to acknowledge ageing and death as
natural parts of life and encourages us to accept them with grace. It reminds
us to cherish our loved ones while they are with us and to show love and care
through our actions, even when words fail. The poet’s calm composure in the
face of emotional turmoil also imparts a lesson in emotional resilience and
quiet strength.
Previous years’
questions:
1. CBSE 2024 Board Exam Question
Question: Read the following extract and answer
the questions that follow:
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
put that thought away, and
looked out at the young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes.
i.
What does the phrase 'ashen like that of a corpse' suggest about the
mother's appearance?
Ans: The phrase 'ashen like that of a corpse' suggests that the mother's
face appeared pale and lifeless, resembling a dead body. This indicates her old
age and fragility.
ii.
Why does the poet look at 'young trees sprinting' and 'merry children
spilling out of their homes'?
Ans: The poet looks at the 'young trees sprinting' and 'merry children
spilling out of their homes' to divert her mind from the painful
realisation of her mother's ageing. These images represent youth, energy, and
life, contrasting with her mother's frailty.
iii.
What is the significance of the contrast between the mother's appearance and
the scene outside?
Ans: The contrast highlights the cycle of life and death. While the mother
represents ageing and the inevitability of death, the lively scenes outside
symbolize youth and the continuity of life. This juxtaposition emphasises the
poet's internal conflict and sorrow.
2. CBSE 2023 Board Exam Question
Question: What is the kind of pain and ache does the poet feel in 'My Mother at Sixty-Six'?Answer:
The poet feels a deep emotional pain
and ache upon realising her mother's old age and impending mortality. This
'familiar ache' harks back to her childhood fear of losing her mother, evoking
feelings of helplessness and sorrow.
3. CBSE 2022 Board Exam Question
Question: Why
are the young trees described as 'sprinting' in the poem?
Answer: The young trees are described as
'sprinting' to depict the rapid passage of time and the energy of youth. As the
poet's car moves, the trees appear to be running past, symbolising how quickly
time flies, especially in contrast to her ageing mother.
Question: Explain the significance of the poet's
parting words and smile in 'My Mother at Sixty-Six'.
Answer: The poet's parting words, "See you
soon, Amma," and her repeated smiles are attempts to hide her true
feelings of fear and sorrow about her mother's ageing and the possibility of
losing her. By smiling, she tries to mask her pain and provide reassurance to
her mother, despite her inner turmoil.
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