Class 12 English - WEST-BENGAL
Poetry: My Mother at Sixty-Six
My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das is a poignant poem prescribed for Class 12 West Bengal (WBBSE) students that captures the complex emotional bond between a mother and her daughter. The poem revolves around the theme of aging, the fear of losing one's aging parents, and mortal inevitability. As the poet drives to the Cochin airport, she looks at her sleeping, dozing mother who looks pale and corpse-like. To distract herself from this painful realization, she looks outside at young trees and merry children. For board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing comprehension of poetic devices, emotional undertones, and textual analysis.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
The Agony of Aging
The poet confronts the harsh reality of her mother's advanced age of sixty-six, noticing her pale, ashen face which resembles a corpse.
Childhood Fear of Separation
The familiar ache of fear returns to the poet, representing the deep-seated childhood insecurity of losing her mother to death.
Use of Contrast and Imagery
The poet effectively contrasts the dull, lifeless image of the mother inside the car with the vibrant, energetic outside world of 'sprinter trees' and 'merry children'.
Simile and Metaphor
Literary devices like 'her face ashen like that of a corpse' and 'late winter's moon' are used to vividly depict the fading vitality of the mother.
The Parting Smile
The poem ends with the poignant act of the poet smiling repeatedly ('See you soon, Amma') to hide her inner tears and offer reassurance.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the West Bengal (WBBSE) Class 12 English board exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include long-answer essay-type questions based on central themes, reference to context, and short-answer questions analyzing specific metaphors and symbols used by Kamala Das.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
What does the 'late winter's moon' signify in the poem?
It signifies the mother's advanced age, loss of physical strength, and a fading, pale appearance similar to the hazy winter moon.
Why did the poet smile and what did she say at the airport?
The poet smiled repeatedly to hide her deep fear and anxiety of separation, and she said 'See you soon, Amma' to reassure her mother.
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