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    My mother at 66

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    Diksha Verma
    Class 12th Flamingo Notes on Kamala Das's My mother at sixty-six for Quick Revision

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    My mother at 66

    Uploaded by

    Diksha Verma
    7 views3 pages
    Class 12th Flamingo Notes on Kamala Das's My mother at sixty-six for Quick Revision

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    © © All Rights Reserved

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    Class 12th Flamingo Notes on Kamala Das's My mother at sixty-six for Quick Revision

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    7 views3 pages

    My mother at 66

    Uploaded by

    Diksha Verma
    Class 12th Flamingo Notes on Kamala Das's My mother at sixty-six for Quick Revision

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    Notes on "My Mother at Sixty-Six" by Kamala Das

    Introduction

    Poet: Kamala Das (1934–2009), also known by her pen name Madhavikutty.

    Place of Birth: Punnayurkulam, Kerala, India.

    Style: Kamala Das is known for her confessional style, characterised by deeply personal and
    emotional expressions, honesty, and introspection.

    Languages: She wrote in English and Malayalam, contributing extensively to Indian literature in both
    languages.

    Theme: The poem explores themes of ageing, fear of separation, and the inevitability of death,
    woven with the poet's emotions toward her mother.

    Tone: Introspective, melancholic, emotional

    Poem Summary

    1. The poetess is on her way to Cochin airport with her mother, who looks pale, tired, and
    weak, like a “corpse.”

    2. Seeing her mother’s fragile condition reminds the poet of her ageing and the reality of
    death.

    3. To distract herself from these sad thoughts, the poet looks out at the lively world outside,
    noticing trees running past and children playing happily. This contrasts with her mother’s
    weakness and symbolises energy and youth.

    4. At the airport, while saying goodbye, the poet feels the pain and fear of losing her mother.

    5. She compares her mother’s pale and faded face to the “late winter’s moon,” symbolising old
    age and weakness.

    6. The poet recalls her childhood fear of separation from her mother, showing her deep love
    and attachment.

    7. Despite feeling sad, the poet hides her emotions, smiles, and says, “See you soon, Amma,”
    trying to reassure herself and her mother.

    8. The poem reflects on universal themes like ageing, separation, and the love between a
    mother and child.

    Themes

    1. Ageing and Mortality:

    o The poem captures the inevitability of ageing and the fear of losing loved ones.

    o The mother’s fragile condition symbolises the universal truth of mortality.(death)

    2. Separation and Loss:

    o The poet experiences an emotional conflict between her duty to leave and her desire
    to stay with her mother.

    3. Life and Vitality vs. Aging and Death:

    o The imagery of sprinting trees and playing children contrasts with the mother’s
    fragility, indicating the cycle of life.

    o
    4. Emotional Resilience:

    o Despite her fear, the poet controls her emotions, showing strength and hope for
    meeting her again.

    Literary Devices

    1. Simile:

    o “Her face ashen like that of a corpse” – compares the mother’s face to a lifeless
    body, highlighting her weakness.

    o “As a late winter’s moon” – compares the mother’s face to a waning,pale moon,
    indicating decay and old age.

    2. Imagery:

    o Vivid descriptions of the mother’s appearance, the vibrant surroundings, and the
    winter’s moon create powerful visual contrasts.

    3. Contrast:

    o The lively, external world (trees and children) is contrasted with the mother’s
    weakness and ageing.

    4. Repetition:

    o The phrase “smile and smile and smile” stresses the poet’s effort to conceal and hide
    her pain.

    5. Symbolism:

    o "Winter’s moon" symbolises ageing and impending death.

    o “Sprinting trees and children” symbolise vitality and renewal.

    Message

    • The poem underlines the transient nature of life and the deep bond between a parent and
    child.It encourages readers to cherish their loved ones and face the realities of life with
    courage.

    Important Lines for Reference

    1. “Her face ashen like that of a corpse.”

    o Symbolizes the mother’s fragile state and reminds the poet of her mortality.

    2. “I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open-mouthed.”

    o Highlights the inevitability of ageing and the physical decline that comes with it.

    3. “Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes.”

    o A metaphorical representation of life, vitality, and renewal.

    4. “Familiar ache, my childhood’s fear.”

    o Reflects the poet’s fear of separation and loss.

    5. “See you soon, Amma.”

    o A hopeful reassurance masking the poet’s sorrow.

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