Class 8 English - TAMILNADU
Poetry: Somebody's Mother
The chapter 'Poetry: Somebody's Mother' by Mary Dow Brine is a touching poem included in the Class 8 English syllabus for Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi. It tells the story of an old, ragged woman waiting nervously to cross a busy, icy street. A group of schoolboys pass her by without care, until one thoughtful boy stops to help her safely across, teaching a profound lesson on empathy, kindness, and respect for elders. For board exams, this chapter is crucial as it tests students' comprehension skills, poetic appreciation, moral understanding, and the ability to answer memory poems and critical analysis questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Theme of Empathy and Kindness
The poem highlights how a simple, kind act towards a stranger can make a huge difference and bring genuine happiness.
Respect for the Elderly
It emphasizes that elderly people deserve our patience, care, and assistance, just like we would want for our own parents.
Poetic Devices (Rhyme and Rhythm)
The poem is written in rhyming couplets (AABB) with a steady rhythm that makes it engaging and easy to memorize.
Character Contrast
The careless schoolboys who ignore the old woman are contrasted with the helpful boy who chooses to do the right thing.
Karma and Universal Goodwill
The boy helps the old woman simply because she is somebody's mother, hoping someone will do the same for his mother when she is old and frail.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Tamil Nadu (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 8 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Questions include reading comprehension passages, paragraph questions about the boy's character and the moral of the poem, vocabulary exercises, and sometimes memory poem questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central theme of the poem 'Somebody's Mother'?
The central theme is kindness, empathy, and respect towards the elderly, emphasizing that every old person is someone's beloved mother.
Why did the old woman hesitate to cross the street?
She was old, ragged, and weak, and she was afraid of being trampled by the fast-moving horses and carriages on the slippery, crowded street.
Why did the young boy help the old woman?
He helped her because he imagined how he would feel if his own mother were old, frail, and struggling alone in a strange place.
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