CBSE Class 12  >  Class 12 Notes  >  English   >  NCERT Solution: Poem 1 - My Mother at Sixty Six

NCERT Solution: Poem 1 - My Mother at Sixty Six

Before You Read

Q. Ageing is a natural process; have you ever thought what our elderly parents expect from us?
Ans: Old age often brings loneliness and a sense of isolation. Elderly parents commonly need companionship, regular attention to their health and comfort, and simple emotional support. They expect to be treated with love, respect and patience. Small acts - a visit, a kind word, helping with chores, listening to their memories - give them a sense of belonging and dignity. Such care reduces fear and sadness and encourages them to live with more comfort and quiet joy.

Think it Out

Q1: What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?
Ans: While driving away from her parents' home, the poet notices her mother's ashen, shrunken face and realises how much her mother has aged. This sight evokes an old, familiar ache - the deep, private fear of losing a parent that she first felt in childhood. The pain is emotional rather than physical: it is the helplessness and sorrow of being separated from someone she loves and the distress at seeing that person so vulnerable. Her outward smile is an attempt to hide that inner grief.

Q2: Why are the young trees described as 'sprinting'?
Ans: The young trees seem to be 'sprinting' because, seen from the moving car, they appear to rush past quickly. This image emphasises the speed and liveliness of youth. The poet uses this motion as a contrast to her mother, who is dozing and still; the trees' quick movement highlights the energy of life outside while the mother's condition suggests decline and calm.

Q3: Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children 'spilling out of their homes'?
Ans: The image of children spilling out of their homes shows spontaneous joy, energy and the bustle of everyday life. The poet introduces this lively picture to underline a contrast: life goes on with youthful vigour around her, while her mother appears passive and fragile. This contrast makes the mother's ageing and pallor more striking and deepens the emotional effect.

Q4: Why has the mother been compared to the 'late winter's moon'?
Ans: The 'late winter's moon' is pale, faint and without its full brightness. Comparing the mother to that moon suggests she has lost the glow and strength of youth; her face is weak and subdued. The simile is apt because it conveys a soft, fragile light rather than vigour, and it captures the quiet, diminished beauty of old age.

Q5: What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?
Ans: The poet's parting words - "See you soon, Amma" - and her continual smile are attempts to reassure her mother and to conceal her own fear. They serve two purposes: to comfort the mother so she does not worry, and to help the poet herself cope with anxiety about separation and loss. The smile and words are, therefore acts of love and courage, a way of keeping the moment calm and leaving on a hopeful note.

The document NCERT Solution: Poem 1 - My Mother at Sixty Six is a part of the Class 12 Course English Class 12.
All you need of Class 12 at this link: Class 12

FAQs on NCERT Solution: Poem 1 - My Mother at Sixty Six

1. What is the theme of the poem "My Mother at Sixty Six"?
Ans. The theme of the poem "My Mother at Sixty Six" revolves around the poet's emotions and observations as she sees her mother aging and becoming more vulnerable.
2. Who is the speaker in the poem "My Mother at Sixty Six"?
Ans. The speaker in the poem "My Mother at Sixty Six" is the poet herself, Kamala Das, reflecting on her mother's old age and the emotions that come with it.
3. What emotions does the poet convey towards her mother in the poem "My Mother at Sixty Six"?
Ans. The poet conveys a sense of love, concern, and nostalgia towards her mother in the poem "My Mother at Sixty Six", as she observes her aging and becoming more fragile.
4. How does the poet describe her mother's appearance in the poem "My Mother at Sixty Six"?
Ans. The poet describes her mother's appearance as fragile and vulnerable in the poem "My Mother at Sixty Six", emphasizing her aging and the impact it has on her.
5. What is the significance of the title "My Mother at Sixty Six" in the poem?
Ans. The title "My Mother at Sixty Six" highlights the age of the poet's mother and sets the tone for the reflections on aging, vulnerability, and the changing dynamics of their relationship.
Explore Courses for Class 12 exam
Get EduRev Notes directly in your Google search
Related Searches
Summary, Extra Questions, Sample Paper, ppt, study material, Semester Notes, shortcuts and tricks, Previous Year Questions with Solutions, Viva Questions, NCERT Solution: Poem 1 - My Mother at Sixty Six, pdf , MCQs, video lectures, NCERT Solution: Poem 1 - My Mother at Sixty Six, Objective type Questions, past year papers, Exam, Important questions, Free, NCERT Solution: Poem 1 - My Mother at Sixty Six, mock tests for examination, practice quizzes;