My Mother at Sixty-Six Class 12 English Flamingo ki Chapter 1 poem hai, jise Kamala Das ne likha hai। इस post में My Mother at Sixty-Six Question Answer ke sabhi answers Class 12 students ke liye simple English mein diye gaye hain।
About the Poem
My Mother at Sixty-Six mein kavayitri Kamala Das apni vriddh maa ko dekhkar unke boodhe hone aur unhe khone ke dar ko vyakt karti hain। Kavayitri apni maa ke saath yatra kar rahi hoti hain aur unki maa car mein so rahi hoti hain। Jab kavayitri unki or dekhti hain, to unka chehra bahut peela aur kamzor dikhayi deta hai।
Maa ki umra aur unki mrityu ki sambhavna kavayitri ko apne bachpan ke us dar ki yaad dilati hai jab unhe apni maa se alag hone ka bhay rehta tha। Airport par pahunchne ke baad bhi woh apni maa ko dekhti hain aur wahi purana dar unke man mein laut aata hai। Phir bhi woh apne dukh ko chhipakar muskurati hain aur maa se kehti hain ki we jald milengi।
Is poem ka mukhya theme ageing, separation, fear of death and mother-daughter relationship hai।
Poem Summary
Kavayitri apni maa ke saath car se airport ja rahi hain। Unki maa car mein so rahi hain। Kavayitri jab unki or dekhti hain to unhe maa ka chehra "ashen like that of a corpse" dikhayi deta hai। Maa ka yeh kamzor aur vriddh chehra dekhkar kavayitri ko unke marne ka dar satane lagta hai।
Apne man ko doosri or lagane ke liye woh bahar ka drishya dekhne lagti hain। Bahar hare ped tezi se peechhe bhagte hue dikhayi dete hain aur chhote bachche khushi se khelte hue dikhayi dete hain। Ye drishya yauvan aur jeevan ka pratik hain, jabki maa ka chehra budhape aur mrityu ka pratik ban jaata hai।
Airport par pahunchkar kavayitri apni maa ko phir dekhti hain। Unhe wahi purana bachpan ka dar mehsoos hota hai ki shayad woh apni maa ko phir na dekh paayein। Lekin woh apne bhavon ko chhipakar muskurati hain aur apni maa se vida leti hain।
Important Question Answers
1. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?
Answer: The poet feels the pain of separation from her ageing mother. She realises that her mother is very old and may die soon. This thought creates fear and emotional pain in her mind.
2. Why are the young trees described as "sprinting"?
Answer: The young trees appear to move rapidly backwards as the car moves forward. The poet describes them as "sprinting" to create an impression of movement. The young trees also symbolise youth, energy and life, in contrast to her ageing mother.
3. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children spilling out of their homes?
Answer: The happy children symbolise youth, energy and life. Their liveliness contrasts with the old and pale appearance of the poet's mother. This contrast makes the poet more conscious of her mother's old age.
4. Why has the mother been compared to "a late winter's moon"?
Answer: The mother's pale and colourless face is compared to a late winter's moon because the moon in late winter appears dull, pale and weak. This comparison highlights her old age, weakness and approaching death.
5. What do the poet's parting words of reassurance to her mother signify?
Answer: The poet's words show that she is trying to hide her fear and sadness. She tells her mother that they will meet again, although deep inside she is afraid that she may not see her mother again. Her smile is therefore a way of controlling her emotions.
Extract-Based Important Questions
"Driving from my parent's home to Cochin last Friday morning…"
Question: Where was the poet travelling?
Answer: The poet was travelling from her parent's home to Cochin, where she had to catch a flight.
"I saw my mother, beside me, doze…"
Question: What did the poet notice about her mother?
Answer: The poet noticed that her mother was sleeping beside her and looked very old, pale and weak.
"Her face ashen like that of a corpse…"
Question: What does this comparison suggest?
Answer: It suggests that the mother looked extremely pale and lifeless. It also reminds the poet of death and increases her fear of losing her mother.
Central Idea
The poem presents the universal fear of losing an ageing parent. The poet becomes painfully aware of her mother's old age and understands that separation and death are unavoidable parts of life.
The poem also presents a contrast between:
- Young trees → youth and life
- Merry children → energy and happiness
- Old mother → ageing and approaching death
- Poet's smile → hidden pain and fear
Poetic Devices
| Poetic Device | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Simile | "ashen like that of a corpse" | Mother is compared to a corpse |
| Simile | "pale as a late winter's moon" | Mother's pale face is compared to the winter moon |
| Personification | "young trees sprinting" | Trees are given human ability |
| Repetition | "smile and smile and smile" | Shows the poet's effort to hide her pain |
| Imagery | "merry children spilling out of their homes" | Creates a picture of energetic children |
| Contrast | Young trees and old mother | Shows youth versus old age |
Important Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| doze | sleep lightly |
| ashen | very pale |
| corpse | dead body |
| wan | pale and weak |
| sprinting | running very fast |
| merry | happy |
| spilling | coming out in large numbers |
| ache | continuous emotional pain |
| anguish | severe mental or emotional pain |
| familiar | well known |
| reassurance | words that remove fear |
| parted | separated |
| childhood | early period of life |
Theme of the Poem
The major themes are:
- Ageing
- Fear of separation
- Fear of death
- Mother-daughter relationship
- Loneliness
- Childhood memories
- Contrast between youth and old age
Message of the Poem
The poem reminds us that ageing and death are natural parts of life. We may try to hide our fear and sadness, but the thought of losing someone we love can be deeply painful. The poem beautifully expresses the emotional bond between a mother and daughter.
Poori Class ki Solved PDF Chahiye?
Is class ke sabhi chapters ki solved PDF (word meaning, exercise solutions sab kuch) ek saath chahiye? Neeche diye gaye link se dekhein.