Class 12 English - UP
Poetry: My Mother at Sixty-Six
My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das is an emotionally charged poem prescribed for Class 12 UPMSP students. It captures the complex bond between a mother and daughter, highlighting the universal fear of aging, decay, and eventual separation. The poet reflects upon seeing her aging mother's pale, corpse-like face during a car ride to the Cochin airport. To ward off her painful thoughts, she looks outside at young trees and sprinting children, symbolizing vitality and youth. The chapter is crucial for board exams as it tests students' understanding of poetic devices, complex emotions, and critical appreciation.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Fear of Aging and Separation
The core theme of the poem revolves around the poet's childhood fear of losing her mother, which resurfaces strongly as she notices her mother's advanced age and frail health.
Simile
The poet uses a striking comparison by likening her mother's pale, ashen face to a 'corpse' to emphasize her lifelessness and lack of energy due to old age.
Imagery of Contrast
Kamala Das uses vivid imagery of 'young trees sprinting' and 'merry children spilling out of their homes' to contrast youth and vitality with her mother's decaying state.
Metaphor of the Late Winter's Moon
The mother's face is compared to a late winter's moon, which signifies a lack of luster, fading strength, and the approaching end of her life cycle.
The Mask of Smiles
At the airport, the poet bids farewell to her mother with a continuous smile, hiding her inner pain, anxiety, and the childhood fear of abandonment.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Uttar Pradesh (UPMSP) Class 12 English Board Exam, poetry passages generally carry around 6 marks (comprising reference to context and short answer questions). Additionally, central idea questions from this poem frequently appear in the syllabus, carrying 3 to 4 marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central idea of the poem 'My Mother at Sixty-Six'?
The central idea focuses on the inevitable aging of human beings, the fear of losing aging parents, and the emotional pain associated with permanent separation.
Why does the poet look out of the car window?
The poet looks out of the window to distract herself from the painful and frightening thought of her mother's aging and impending death.
Why has the mother been compared to a 'late winter's moon'?
Just as a late winter's moon lacks brightness and seems obscured by mist, the mother has lost her youthful glow and vitality due to old age.
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