MY MOTHER AT SIXTY-SIX by Kamala Das

Kamala Das-

Kamala das was a prolific poet from Kerala who wrote both in English and Malayalam. In her works she explored complex human relationships. Her works are known for their originality, versatility and the indigenous flavor of the soil. Her pen name was “Madhavikutty”.  Her famous works includes- “Alphabet of Lust” (1977), “Padmavati the Harlot and other stories (1992).

Introduction-

It’s a free verse. In this poem Kamala Das’ relationship with her mother is treated in a very restrained and poignant manner. It echoes the painful realization of the poetess that her mother was ageing and inching closer to death. The poet chooses the moment of parting to reveal how painful the parting of her mother could be.

Main points:

1.       Poetess driving to the Cochin airport with her old mother sitting next to her.

2.       Looks at the wan, pale face of her dozing mother.

3.       She compares her mother’s ashen face to a corpse

4.       Old fear of losing her mother returns

5.       Sprinting trees and merry children provide the contrast and relief.

6.       After the security check the old familiar ache returns.

7.       Tries to hide her face by smiling.

8.       Ends with a positive note.

9.       Simile –“like that of a corpse” as a late winter moon”

10.    Repetition  –“smile and smile and smile

Significance of the title 'My Mother at Sixty-Six'

  This poem revolves around the theme of advancing age and the fear adhered to it of loss and separation. The poet is on the way to airport in Cochin, when she is stuck by the realization of the advancing age of her mother. It is very difficult for her to accept that her mother is creeping into the grips of old age. When she looks at her mother sitting by her side, she notices her corpse like ashen face which reminds her of her approaching death. She is pale and worn out. She is happy to see her mother is still breathing. But she is beset with sorrow and insecurity as she departs at the airport bidding goodbye to her mother and trying to hide her fears by smiling as she looked at her

THEME

1.      Fear and anguish of a daughter: The poem centers on the theme of inevitable death. It expresses the fear and anguish of a daughter over the fast-approaching end of her mother’s life.

2.      Ageing: The poem revolves around the theme of advancing age and the fear that adheres to its loss and separation. It is a sentimental account of the mother’s approaching end through the eyes of the daughter.

3.      Mother – daughter complex relationship: The seemingly short poem touches upon the theme of the filial bond between the mother and daughter smeared in the backdrop of nostalgia and fear. Nostalgia of the past (the time spent with the mother) and fear of the future without her.

EXTRA QUESTIONS-

1.      How the poet described the old age of her mother?

Ans. The poet’s mother is dozing off almost open mouthed. With a pale face she totally lacked the vigor of life. The poet later compares her to a late winter’s moon.

2.      Bring out the contrast portrayed by the scene outside with the state of the poet’s mother.

Ans. The world outside the window of the car with the sprinting trees and the children spilling out in energetic exuberance are a sharp contrast to the poet’s old mother who lacks the vigour of life.

3.      Though filled with negative thoughts in her mind did the poet share her feelings with her mother?

Ans. The poet did not share her fears and anxiety with her mother. Sharing her emotions of agony would have grieved her mother all the more. Instead she bid adieu and smiled with the hope to see her again.

4.      Explain the irony inherent in the conclusion of the poem?

Ans. The poet’s words ‘See you soon Amma’ and her prolonged smile at parting are ironical. They are a sharp contrast to the fear and agony which she experiences with regard to her ageing mother and her frail health.

5.      Describe the young trees sprinting.

Ans. The young trees are personified in the poem. They seem to be running in the opposite direction when seen through the window of the moving car. The movement is juxtaposed with the expression on the mother’s face which is ashen like a corpse. Trees outside signify life.

Textbook questions:

a)      Ageing is a natural process; have you ever thought what our elderly parents expect from us?

Answer: Aged people usually undergo pangs of loneliness and need companionship. The pessimistic approach they develop towards life can be shunned only if we provide them with abundant love, care, importance and empathy. They expect their children to sit calmly and talk to them about the happenings of their lives and to take their suggestions for making significant decisions. Their lost vitality can thus be easily rejuvenated. This happiness will encourage them to live life enthusiastically.

Thinking out:
1. what is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?

Answer. The emotional pain and ache that the poet feels is due to the realization that her mother has gone old and has become frail and pale like a corpse. She is dependent on her children. The ache also refers to the old familiar ache of the childhood that revisits the poet due to the mother’s old age and her approaching end.

2. Why are the young trees described as 'sprinting'?

Answer. The young trees are personified in the poem. They seem to be running in the opposite direction when seen through the window of the moving car. The movement is juxtaposed with the expression on the mother’s face i.e. ashen like a corpse. The movement of the children and the trees is in stark contrast with the stillness associated with the mother.


3. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children 'spilling out of their homes'?

Answer. The poet highlights the helplessness and frailty of old age with the help of contrasts. The mother dozes off mouth open, whereas the children spilling out of their homes signify movement and energy, enthusiasm and vivacity, which the old people are bereft off.

4. Why has the mother been compared to the 'late winter's moon'?

Answer. The mother has been compared to the late winter’s moon which is dull and shrouded. It symbolizes the ebbing of life. The moon brings to the poets mind night or the approaching end of life. The mother like the late winter’s moon is dull, dim and dismal.

5. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

Answer. The parting words ‘see you soon Amma’ are used by the poet to reassure the mother and to infuse optimism in the poet herself. The poet accepts the reality yet keeps up the façade of smiling in order to put up a brave front. It requires a lot of effort and hence the poet has used the poetic device of repetition.

Home work

1. Where was the poet driving to and from where?

2. Who was sitting beside her?

3. What did she notice about her mother?

4. Why was her mother’s face looking like that of a corpse?

6. What is the ‘childhood fear’ that the poet refers to?

7. What did Kamala Das do to put the painful thought away?

8. What did she see outside the car?

8. What does ‘trees sprinting’ and ‘merry children spilling out of their homes’ signify?

9. With what the mother’s colourless and pale face has been compared?

10. What do the poet’s parting words suggest?

11. Why did the poet smile and smile?

12. What are the parting words of the poet to her old mother?

13. Mention the examples of imagery used by the poet.

14. Bring out the contrastive picture in poem.

15. What are figures of speech? Bring out the figures of speech used in the poem.

16. Explain what does “late winter’s moon” signify?

17. Write the summary of the poem “My Mother at Sixty-six”

18. Write a critical appreciation for the poem.