Class 12 English - MAHARASHTRA
Poetry: My Mother at Sixty-Six
My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das is an emotionally poignant poem prescribed for Class 12 Maharashtra State Board (MSBSHSE) students. The poem explores the universal theme of ageing, the fear of losing ageing parents, and the bittersweet bond between a mother and her daughter. Set against the backdrop of a car ride to the Cochin airport, the poet notices her mother's pale, corpse-like face, triggering childhood fears. Through vivid imagery like 'young trees sprinting' and 'merry children spilling', the poet contrasts vitality with decay. For board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing comprehension, poetic devices, and critical appreciation.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Theme of Ageing and Mortality
The poem highlights the inevitable process of growing old and the psychological pain of confronting the approaching death of loved ones.
Fear of Separation
The childhood fear of losing her mother resurfaces in the poet's mind, creating an intense emotional turmoil that she tries to mask with a smile.
Use of Imagery and Contrast
Kamala Das uses powerful contrasts, such as the static, lifeless appearance of the mother inside the car versus the dynamic, energetic 'young trees sprinting' and children outside.
Simile and Metaphor
Key literary devices used include the simile comparing the mother's pale face to a 'corpse' and the late winter's moon metaphor representing fading vitality.
The Parting Smile
The repetition of the word 'smile' at the end of the poem signifies the poet's attempt to hide her deep-seated anxieties and reassure her mother before leaving.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Maharashtra (MSBSHSE) Class 12 English board exam, questions from poetry typically carry around 4 to 6 marks. Students can expect extract-based comprehension questions testing details about the mother's appearance, poetic devices, figures of speech, and appreciation-based questions requiring a summary of the central theme.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the 'late winter's moon' in the poem?
The late winter's moon represents the mother's advanced age, fading energy, and the nearing end of her life, as winter symbolizes the end of a seasonal cycle.
Why does the poet look out at the young trees and children?
The poet looks outside to distract herself from the painful, morbid thought of her mother's aging and impending death, finding comfort in the vitality of youth and life.
What is the meaning of the parting words 'See you soon, Amma' and the multiple smiles?
These words and the continuous smiles are a deliberate effort by the poet to hide her internal fear, grief, and anxiety of separation, while offering reassurance and hope to her mother.
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