Class 12 English Poetry|Chapter 1| My Mother at Sixty- Six: Welcome to bodotutor.com ! Here you will get complete Class 12 English notes based on the AHSEC|ASSEB syllabus. We are starting with Class 12 Chapter – 1 : My Mother at Sixty- Six, and we’ll continue to provide clear, easy-to-understand notes for every chapter to help you in your exams. Stay connected for regular updates and more study materials!
Class 12 English Poetry|Chapter 1| My Mother at Sixty- Six
Short Type Question and Answer
1. Where was the poet driving to in the poem?
Ans: The poet was driving to Cochin.
2. How did the poet’s mother look when she was dozing?
Ans: The poet’s mother looked ashen, like a corpse, with her face pale.
3. What thought did the poet push away while driving?
Ans: The poet pushed away the painful thought that her mother was as old as she looked.
4. What did the poet see when she looked out of the window?
Ans: The poet saw young trees sprinting and merry children spilling out of their homes.
5. How did the poet describe her mother after the airport’s security check?
Ans: The poet described her mother as pale and wan, like a late winter’s moon.
6. What childhood fear did the poet experience when looking at her mother?
Ans: The poet experienced the old, familiar ache of her childhood fear.
7. What did the poet say to her mother before parting?
Ans: The poet smiled and said, “See you soon, Amma.”
Long Type Question & Answer
1. Describe the poet’s feelings when she saw her mother dozing in the car.
Ans: The poet felt a deep sense of sorrow when she saw her mother dozing in the car. Her mother’s face appeared ashen and lifeless, like that of a corpse. This sight made the poet painfully realize the inevitable aging of her mother, which filled her with an emotional ache. Despite this realization, she quickly pushed the thought away to focus on the beauty around her, such as the young trees and merry children, trying to avoid confronting the harsh reality of aging.
2. Explain the significance of the poet’s encounter with her mother at the airport.
Ans: After the security check at the airport, the poet looked at her mother again and noticed her frailness. Her mother’s pale and wan appearance reminded the poet of her childhood fear of losing her mother. The sight of her mother’s old age caused a sharp emotional response, but the poet kept her feelings concealed. She simply smiled and said, “See you soon, Amma,” trying to maintain composure. This moment highlights the poet’s inner conflict between the reality of aging and her love for her mother.
3. Discuss the theme of aging in the poem.
Ans: Aging is the central theme of the poem, as Kamala Das reflects on the inevitability of growing old and the emotional toll it takes on both the individual and their loved ones. The poet’s observation of her mother’s frail, aged appearance brings out feelings of sorrow and helplessness. While the poet pushes away the painful realization of her mother’s old age, she cannot escape the deep, familiar ache of watching her mother age. The poem explores the emotions tied to the inevitable passing of time and the fear of losing loved ones.
2. Explain the contrast between the mother’s old age and the surrounding youthful life.
Ans: The poet contrasts her mother’s old age with the vitality of the surrounding world to underscore the stark difference between life and death. While her mother is described as pale and frail, resembling a corpse and a “late winter’s moon,” the poet observes young trees “sprinting” and children spilling out of their homes, full of energy and joy. This contrast highlights the cycle of life – the energy and vitality of youth versus the decline and frailty of old age.
Comment-Based Questions
1. Comment on the significance of the title “My Mother at Sixty-six.”
Ans: The title “My Mother at Sixty-six” holds significant emotional weight as it reflects the central focus of the poem – the poet’s contemplation of her mother’s old age and the passing of time. At sixty-six, the poet’s mother embodies the vulnerability and frailty associated with growing old. The title captures the moment when the poet confronts the reality of her mother’s aging and is filled with a deep sense of sorrow and nostalgia. It emphasizes the emotional impact of aging on the poet’s relationship with her mother, as she faces the inevitable reality of loss.
2. Explain the contrast between the mother’s old age and the surrounding youthful life.
Ans: The poet contrasts her mother’s old age with the vitality of the surrounding world to underscore the stark difference between life and death. While her mother is described as pale and frail, resembling a corpse and a “late winter’s moon,” the poet observes young trees “sprinting” and children spilling out of their homes, full of energy and joy. This contrast highlights the cycle of life – the energy and vitality of youth versus the decline and frailty of old age. It also evokes the poet’s emotional conflict, as she faces the inevitability of her mother’s aging while still holding on to the memories of her mother’s past vitality.
