Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 1
Question Answer
My Mother at Sixty-Six Question Answer

Here we are providing the question and answers for the 1st Poem of Class 12 English, “My Mother at Sixty-Six”. This chapter studies the main features related to “My Mother at Sixty-Six“.

These notes will prove useful for students preparing for the board examinations this year. Prepared in simple and organized language, this material will help in quickly revising the chapter and remembering the key points.

Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 1 Question Answer, My Mother at Sixty-Six Question Answer

Class 12 english Poem 1 Question answer

My Mother at Sixty-Six Summary/Explanation

1. Driving from.. ...she looked.

Reference:

These lines have been taken from the poem “My Mother at Sixty Six “composed by the famous Indian poet Kamala Das.

Context:

The poet is driving from her parents’ home to Cochin Airport She looks at her old mother She feels pained thinking about her mother’s approaching death.

Explanation:

In these lines the poet says that she is driving from her parents’ home to Cochin Airport to catch a flight Her old mother is sitting beside her. She is very old. She is dozing open mouthed. Her face is very pale and lifeless like a corpse. She feels pained thinking about her mother’s approaching death.

2. But soon .....and smile

Reference:

These lines have been taken from the poem “My Mother at Sixty Six “composed by the famous Indian poet Kamla Das.

Context:

The poet is driving from her parents’ home to Cochin Airport She looks at her old mother She feels pained thinking about her mother’s approaching death. She looks outside to divert her attention.

Explanation:

In these lines the poet says that she looks out of the cars window to divert her attention she sees some young trees pass by. Little children are also seen joyfully coming out of their houses. These two images are contrary to her mother’s aging face. they symbolizes energy life and happiness At the airport she looks at her mother one more time Her mother appeaerd weak and pale just like the moon in the late winters. She feels pain thinking about her mother’s approaching death. She does not express her feelings. She only said, “See you soon, Amma “She wants to give hope to her mother that she is not going to die.

Think about it

Q1. What is the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?

Ans. When the poetess looked at her mother’s pale face sleeping with her mouth opened like a dead body, she realised that her mother was old and would leave her soon. This feeling caused pain to the poetess. The fear of separation from her mother ached her.

Q2. Why are the young trees described as 'sprinting'?

Ans. The young trees are described as ‘sprinting’ because they seem to be running when looked at from the speeding car. They are personified with full of energy and strength, contrasting the poetess’s ageing mother.

Q3. Why has the poet brought in the image of the merry children 'spilling out of their homes'?

Ans. The poetess has brought in the image of the merry children because she wanted to draw a comparison between two types of lives. Her mother was in her declining age while the children are full of enthusiasm, joy and energy.

Q4. Why has the mother been compared to the 'late winter's moon'?

Ans. The mother has been compared to the ‘late winter’s moon’ because the late winter’s moon becomes dim and obscure due to fog and mist. Similarly, The mother’s face became pale and looked like a corpse while sleeping.

Q5. What do the parting words of the poet and her smile signify?

Or

What is the significance of the parting words of the poet and her smile? (Imp)

Ans. The parting words of the poetess and her smile signify that she is hopeful to meet her mother again, although she has a fear that her mother might pass away. she smiles because she did not want to pain her mother at the departure.

Q.6 What does the poet see happening outside?

Ans. The thought of the ageing mother at sixty six occupies her mind. Her pale and ashen corpse – looking face brings to her mind the picture of decay and death. The poet needs a diversion and looks outside. Outside she watches young trees. They speed past them and appear as if they are sprinting. Then she sees gay and happy children making merry as they move out of their homes.

Long Type Question answer

1. What has been the poetess's childhood fear?

OR

What was the old familiar ache. That the poet felt when she left for the airport?

OR

What were Kamal Das'fears as a child? Why do they surface when she is going to the airport?

OR

What is the theme of the poem 'My Mother at Sixty six'?

Ans. After seeing her mother at sixty-six in a pale like corpse face, her childhood fear returns. She is much pained at the ageing and deeping of her mother. She is deeply hurt lest she should not find her mother alive after her return. She also realises that in the coming years, she

Class 12 English Flamingo Poem 1
Question Answer
My Mother at Sixty-Six Question Answer