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My Mother at Sixty six by Kamala Das (class 12)

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My Mother at Sixty-six by Kamala Das describes the feeling of fear of loss or separation from a parent (mother).It also describes the contrast between old and young age.

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My Mother at Sixty six by Kamala Das (class 12)
About the Poet KAMALA DAS (1934-2009) Known for her poetry, novels and short stories Penname Madhavikkutty Earlier known as Kamala Surayya After her Marriage to Madhav Das at the age of 15, changed her name to Kamala Das Known for her sensitive but bold and frank expression Her works are known for their originality, versatility and indigenous flavor of the soil.
Introduction- Through the lyrical idiom, this poem , the poet Kamala Das, expresses the feelings and the bond that binds a mother and her daughter. With love and attachment for mother, comes the fear of losing her due to old age. At the same time, she contrasts between young and old age.
Driving from my parents home to Cochin last Friday morning, I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed, her and realised with pain After visiting her parents, the poet is going to Cochin airport on Friday morning to catch a flight back home. Poets mother is with her during the car journey, to see her off at the airport. Poet looks at her mother. Poet finds her mother sleeping (dozing) with her mouth open. Poetic Device- SIMILE Poet observes her mothers face is pale/dull/ashen/pallid; and appears to be lifeless like a corpse (dead body). She feels the pain realizing that her mother is ageing.
and realized with pain that she was as old as she looked but soon put that thought away and looked out Poet realizes that her mother is ageing. This brings a painful thought of losing her.. After seeing her mother dozing (sleeping) off with her mouth open, she realises that her mother is old and ageing fast. She realizes that her mother, who is as old and weak as she appears to be, will not live long. Poet is upset and sad after realising the thought of her mother not living for long. She wants to remove her sad thought of losing her mother. To distract herself she looks outside from the window of her speeding car.
After realizing that the mother is not going to live long, the poet is sad. To distract herself from that sad thought she looks outside and finds the total contrast. The images of young energetic trees and happy children are opposite to old (almost lifeless) mother and the sadness the poet is feeling.
And looked out at Young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes, Poet looks outside and sees the trees running. Poetic Device- PERSONIFICATION. Through this image, the poet wants to convey the higher energy level, activeness, agility and vitality of youth in contrast to old age. Children represent CHILDHOOD, the beginning (growth) stage of life in contrast to OLD AGE (decay) thats the last stage. Children outside are happy while the poet is sad. She sees another image of happy (merry) children running out of their houses.
but after the airports security check, standing a few yards away, I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winters moon After reaching the airport, while standing at the security check, the poet looks back at her mother again. She sees the weak ,pale and dull (lusterless) face of her mother. She compares her mothers pale and dull appearance with winters moon. Poetic Device- SIMILE Late winters moon This symbol defines the last stage (decaying stage). As winter is the last stage of seasonal cycle, old age is the last stage of human life. Later parts of both stages reflect paleness, dullness and weakness.
and felt that old familiar ache, my childhoods fear, but all I said was, see you soon, Amma, all I did was smile and smile and smile..... Looking at mothers dull, pale face brings back the pain (ache) that she has been familiar with (pain already known to her) This pain is due the fear since her childhood- the fear of losing her mother or being separated from her mother. The poet hides her pain and simply says See you soon, Amma. These four words are her parting words to her mother before catching flight. While saying parting words, the poet has smile on her face. Poetic Device- REPETITION (smile is used three times) With her smile, the poet hides her pain and hopes to meet her mother next time.
Key Points Poet going to airport, travelling by car, is accompanied by her mother Mother sleeping with her mouth open, has pale and ashen face Poet feels scared thinking that mother may die soon Wants to distract herself thus looks outside Sees complete contrast outside- trees sprinting and merry children spilling
Key Points Reaches airport, looks at mother again - who appears pale, dull like late winter's moon Again realises, with pain, the familiar and very old ( since childhood) fear of loss, fear of separation from mother Putting up a brave front, SMILES- hides her fear, doesn't want to upset her mother and hopes to see her again Says to mother- SEE YOU SOON, AMMA.

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My Mother at Sixty six by Kamala Das (class 12)

  • 2. About the Poet KAMALA DAS (1934-2009) Known for her poetry, novels and short stories Penname Madhavikkutty Earlier known as Kamala Surayya After her Marriage to Madhav Das at the age of 15, changed her name to Kamala Das Known for her sensitive but bold and frank expression Her works are known for their originality, versatility and indigenous flavor of the soil.
  • 3. Introduction- Through the lyrical idiom, this poem , the poet Kamala Das, expresses the feelings and the bond that binds a mother and her daughter. With love and attachment for mother, comes the fear of losing her due to old age. At the same time, she contrasts between young and old age.
  • 4. Driving from my parents home to Cochin last Friday morning, I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed, her and realised with pain After visiting her parents, the poet is going to Cochin airport on Friday morning to catch a flight back home. Poets mother is with her during the car journey, to see her off at the airport. Poet looks at her mother. Poet finds her mother sleeping (dozing) with her mouth open. Poetic Device- SIMILE Poet observes her mothers face is pale/dull/ashen/pallid; and appears to be lifeless like a corpse (dead body). She feels the pain realizing that her mother is ageing.
  • 5. and realized with pain that she was as old as she looked but soon put that thought away and looked out Poet realizes that her mother is ageing. This brings a painful thought of losing her.. After seeing her mother dozing (sleeping) off with her mouth open, she realises that her mother is old and ageing fast. She realizes that her mother, who is as old and weak as she appears to be, will not live long. Poet is upset and sad after realising the thought of her mother not living for long. She wants to remove her sad thought of losing her mother. To distract herself she looks outside from the window of her speeding car.
  • 6. After realizing that the mother is not going to live long, the poet is sad. To distract herself from that sad thought she looks outside and finds the total contrast. The images of young energetic trees and happy children are opposite to old (almost lifeless) mother and the sadness the poet is feeling.
  • 7. And looked out at Young Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes, Poet looks outside and sees the trees running. Poetic Device- PERSONIFICATION. Through this image, the poet wants to convey the higher energy level, activeness, agility and vitality of youth in contrast to old age. Children represent CHILDHOOD, the beginning (growth) stage of life in contrast to OLD AGE (decay) thats the last stage. Children outside are happy while the poet is sad. She sees another image of happy (merry) children running out of their houses.
  • 8. but after the airports security check, standing a few yards away, I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winters moon After reaching the airport, while standing at the security check, the poet looks back at her mother again. She sees the weak ,pale and dull (lusterless) face of her mother. She compares her mothers pale and dull appearance with winters moon. Poetic Device- SIMILE Late winters moon This symbol defines the last stage (decaying stage). As winter is the last stage of seasonal cycle, old age is the last stage of human life. Later parts of both stages reflect paleness, dullness and weakness.
  • 9. and felt that old familiar ache, my childhoods fear, but all I said was, see you soon, Amma, all I did was smile and smile and smile..... Looking at mothers dull, pale face brings back the pain (ache) that she has been familiar with (pain already known to her) This pain is due the fear since her childhood- the fear of losing her mother or being separated from her mother. The poet hides her pain and simply says See you soon, Amma. These four words are her parting words to her mother before catching flight. While saying parting words, the poet has smile on her face. Poetic Device- REPETITION (smile is used three times) With her smile, the poet hides her pain and hopes to meet her mother next time.
  • 10. Key Points Poet going to airport, travelling by car, is accompanied by her mother Mother sleeping with her mouth open, has pale and ashen face Poet feels scared thinking that mother may die soon Wants to distract herself thus looks outside Sees complete contrast outside- trees sprinting and merry children spilling
  • 11. Key Points Reaches airport, looks at mother again - who appears pale, dull like late winter's moon Again realises, with pain, the familiar and very old ( since childhood) fear of loss, fear of separation from mother Putting up a brave front, SMILES- hides her fear, doesn't want to upset her mother and hopes to see her again Says to mother- SEE YOU SOON, AMMA.