Class 12 English - ANDHRA-PRADESH
Poetry: My Mother at Sixty-Six
My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das is a deeply emotional poem prescribed for Class 12 Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) students. The poem captures the complex relationship between a daughter and her ageing mother, highlighting the universal fear of aging, separation, and mortality. As the poet drives to the Cochin airport, she looks at her sleeping mother and is struck by her pale, corpse-like appearance. To distract herself from this painful realization of impending loss, she looks outside at young trees sprinting and merry children spilling out. For board exams, this poem is crucial for testing comprehension, poetic devices, and central themes.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Aging and Mortality
The poem explores the inevitable process of aging and the painful realization that parents grow old and approach death.
Fear of Separation
Kamala Das highlights the childhood fear of losing her mother, which resurfaces strongly as she leaves for the airport.
Use of Simile
The poet uses striking comparisons, describing her mother's face as 'ashen like that of a corpse' and comparing her to a 'late winter's moon'.
Contrast and Imagery
The contrast between the old, decaying mother inside the car and the energetic, vibrant young trees and children outside represents youth versus age.
Parting Smile
The poet's parting words 'See you soon, Amma' and her continuous smile mask her deep inner pain and anxiety about her mother's mortality.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) Class 12 English board examinations, poetry chapters typically carry around 4 to 8 marks. Questions usually include reference-to-context (annotation) questions, short answer questions testing the central theme or poetic devices, and comprehension questions based on an extract from the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the mother's face compared to a corpse?
The mother's face is pale, colorless, and lifeless due to extreme old age, making her look like a dead body and reminding the poet of her impending death.
What do the 'sprinting trees' and 'merry children' signify in the poem?
They symbolize youth, energy, vitality, and the rapid passage of time, serving as a stark contrast to the old, decaying mother.
Why does the poet smile continuously at the end of the poem?
The poet smiles to hide her deep fear, pain, and anxiety of losing her mother and to reassure both her mother and herself.
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