Class 8 English - ANDHRA-PRADESH
Poetry: Somebody's Mother
The poem 'Somebody's Mother' by Mary Dow Brine, prescribed for Class 8 students under the Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) syllabus, conveys a profound moral lesson about empathy, kindness, and respect for elders. The chapter tells the story of an old, ragged woman struggling to cross a busy, icy street safely while indifferent passersby ignore her. A group of schoolboys passes by, and one thoughtful boy stops to help her across, explaining to his friends that she is somebody's mother and one day his own mother might need similar help. This chapter is very important for board exams as it tests reading comprehension, poetic appreciation, and values.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Empathy and Kindness
The core theme of the poem highlighting how small acts of kindness towards strangers, especially the elderly, can bring immense joy and make the world a better place.
Respect for Elders
The poem emphasizes treating elderly people with the same care, patience, and dignity that we would want for our own parents.
Poetic Devices (Rhyme Scheme)
The poem follows a steady AABB rhyme scheme with rhyming couplets that create a rhythmic and engaging narrative flow.
Visual Imagery
Descriptive language used by the poet to paint vivid pictures of the chilly winter day, the crowded street, and the frail, anxious old woman.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Andhra Pradesh (BSEAP) Class 8 English examinations, questions from this chapter typically carry around 5 to 8 marks. Common question types include reading comprehension passages, summary writing, vocabulary-based questions, and paragraph answers focusing on the central theme and moral values taught in the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of 'Somebody's Mother'?
The central theme is kindness, empathy, and the importance of helping those in need, particularly elderly people who remind us of our own parents.
Why did the old woman hesitate to cross the street?
The old woman was frail, aged, weak, and afraid of being trampled by the fast-moving horses and carriages on the busy, icy street.
What did the boy say to his friends when they asked why he helped her?
He said that someday his own mother, aged and poor, might be walking on a slippery street and he would want a stranger to help her just as he helped this woman.
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