1. My Mother at sixty-six - Peotry - Class 12 - Flamingo

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1 day ago
4 min read

Updated: 10 hours ago

Author: Kamala Das

Textbook: Flamingo

Genre: Poetry

Summary

Kamala Das’s poem My Mother at Sixty-six is a deeply emotional and personal reflection on the ageing of her mother. During a car ride from her parental home to the Cochin airport, the poet observes her mother sleeping beside her. The sight of her mother’s pale, withered face reminds her of death, and this sudden realisation fills her with sorrow and fear — the same fear of separation she experienced as a child.

To distract herself, she looks outside at lively images of sprinting trees and cheerful children playing — symbols of youth and life. However, at the airport, when she bids her mother goodbye, she sees her again — standing weak and colourless like a “late winter’s moon.” The ache returns, but the poet masks her pain with a smile and parting words.

This poem beautifully captures the conflict between outward composure and inner anxiety. Through powerful imagery and emotional honesty, Kamala Das expresses universal themes of ageing, love, and fear of loss.

Character Sketch

Not applicable — the poem is a first-person reflection with no distinct characters except the poet and her mother.

Themes

Theme	Description
Ageing and Mortality	The mother’s pale appearance reminds the poet of life’s fragility.
Fear of Separation	The poet feels the same fear she did in childhood — fear of losing her mother.
Contrast between Youth and Age	Children playing and trees sprinting represent youth, in contrast to the ageing mother.
Suppression of Emotion	Though deeply affected, the poet chooses to hide her pain with a smile.
Nature as a Metaphor	Elements like the late winter moon and sprinting trees symbolise human emotions.

✨ Literary Devices

Device	Example	Effect
Simile	“her face ashen like that of a corpse”	Emphasises her mother’s frailty and ageing.
Symbolism	“late winter’s moon”	Symbolises fading life and weakness.
Imagery	“Young trees sprinting, merry children”	Creates a vivid contrast with the mother’s condition.
Enjambment	The entire poem is a single sentence	Reflects the flow of continuous, spontaneous thought.
Repetition	“smile and smile and smile...”	Shows the poet’s effort to hide her inner sadness and remain strong.

Title Justification

The title My Mother at Sixty-six is direct yet emotionally rich. It sets the tone for a deeply personal moment in the poet’s life — the realisation that her mother is growing old and may not be around forever. The specific age “sixty-six” suggests that the poem captures a precise, reflective moment of emotional significance. The title emphasises that the poem is not just about ageing in general, but about a tender, personal bond between a daughter and her mother, evoking empathy and universal emotion.

One-Mark Questions

What thought strikes the poet during the car journey?
→ The poet suddenly realises that her mother looks very old and pale, which reminds her of death.
Why does the poet describe the children as ‘merry’?
→ The merry children represent the liveliness and energy of youth, in contrast to her aged mother.
What does ‘late winter’s moon’ symbolise?
→ It symbolises fading life, dullness, and fragility — much like the poet’s ageing mother.
Why does the poet smile at the end despite feeling sad?
→ She smiles to hide her fear of losing her mother and to offer hope and strength at parting.
Why are the trees described as ‘sprinting’?
→ The fast-moving trees symbolise life, vitality, and the contrast between the stillness of the old mother and the liveliness of nature.

Three-Mark Questions

Describe how the poet uses contrasts to enhance the poem’s theme.
→ Kamala Das contrasts the image of her aged, sleeping mother with scenes of vibrant life outside. The mother’s pale, corpse-like face is set against “young trees sprinting” and “merry children spilling out.” These contrasts highlight the inevitability of ageing and the cycle of life. This technique deepens the emotional impact of the poem and reinforces the poet’s fear of loss.
Explain the significance of the poet’s smile at the end of the poem.
→ The poet’s repeated smile hides deep emotional turmoil. Although she feels pain and fear at the thought of her mother’s mortality, she chooses not to express it. Her smile becomes a mask of courage, love, and hope — a way to reassure her mother and herself. It’s a mature response to a difficult emotional moment, reflecting the suppression of pain to maintain composure.
What does the poem reveal about the poet’s relationship with her mother?
→ The poem reflects a close and affectionate bond between the poet and her mother. Her deep concern, emotional pain, and fear of losing her mother show a lasting attachment that dates back to childhood. Despite being an adult, the poet still feels the same helplessness and sorrow at the idea of separation. The poem captures this deep emotional connection and love beautifully.

Value-Based Question

Q: What lesson does the poem teach us about ageing and family relationships?→ The poem teaches us to cherish our relationships, especially with parents, as time passes quickly and life is unpredictable. It reminds us that ageing is a natural process and that we must show love, care, and respect to our elders while we still have time. The poet’s restrained yet heartfelt emotions teach us that love sometimes means being strong for others, even when our heart is heavy with fear or sorrow.

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