My Mother at Sixty-six
TEXTBOOK EXERCISES
1. What kind of pain and ache does the poet feel?
Ans: The poet feels a deep emotional pain when she sees the pale and lifeless face of her mother. This reminds her of the fear she had since childhood—the fear of ageing, separation and death. She realizes that time spares no one and that her mother is growing old and weak. This thought fills her with sadness and anxiety.
2. Why are the young trees described as “sprinting”?
Ans: The young trees are described as “sprinting” because the poet is travelling in a fast-moving car. When a vehicle moves quickly, the stationary objects outside appear to move rapidly in the opposite direction. This creates the illusion that the trees are running or “sprinting”.
3. Why does the poet mention the merry children “spilling out of their homes”?
Ans: The poet uses the image of joyful children to create a contrast with her ageing mother. While her mother appears weak, silent and lifeless, the children are full of energy and happiness. This contrast highlights the difference between youth and old age.
4. Why is the mother compared to the “late winter’s moon”?
Ans: The poet compares her mother to the late winter’s moon because both appear pale, dull and weak. Just as the winter moon lacks brightness and strength, the mother’s face looks faded and lifeless due to old age. The comparison effectively shows the effects of ageing.
5. What do the poet’s parting words and smile signify?
Ans: The poet’s words “See you soon, Amma” and her repeated smiles show her attempt to hide her fear and sadness. Although she is worried about her mother’s health and ageing, she smiles to reassure her mother and give her hope that they will meet again soon.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS
1. Where is the poet going and who is with her?
Ans: The poet is travelling from her parents’ home to the Cochin airport. Her mother is sitting beside her in the car. The mother is dozing during the journey and appears weak and tired.
2. How does the poet describe her mother? What images are used to show ageing?
Ans: The poet describes her mother as old, weak and pale. She is dozing with her mouth open and her face looks faded and lifeless. The poet uses images such as an “ashen face” and a “corpse” to show the effects of ageing and decay.
3. Why does the poet “put that thought away” and look outside?
Ans: The poet tries to ignore the painful thought of her mother’s ageing and possible death. To distract herself, she looks outside the car window. There she sees lively scenes of nature and young children, which remind her of life, energy and activity.
4. Describe the contrast between the scene inside the car and outside.
Ans: Inside the car, the poet’s mother looks weak, silent and lifeless, representing old age and decay. Outside the car, the trees appear to be sprinting and the children are playing happily. These lively images represent youth, energy and life. The contrast highlights the difference between youth and old age.
5. Why does the poet feel her “old familiar ache”? What is her childhood fear?
Ans: The poet feels her old familiar ache when she sees her mother’s pale face and realizes that she is growing old. This reminds her of her childhood fear of losing her mother. The fear is connected with ageing, separation and death, which are unavoidable parts of life.
6. What were the poet’s feelings at the airport? How did she hide them?
Ans: At the airport, the poet feels sad and worried about her ageing mother. The sight of her mother’s pale face reminds her of death and separation. However, she hides her emotions by smiling repeatedly and speaking cheerful words to comfort her mother.