Class 12
Chapter 1(Poem)
My mother at sixty -six
1. Where was the poet going and who was with her?
Ans:The poet was going to Cochin airport. She was driving from her parents'
home to the airport. Her 66-year-old mother was sitting beside her in the car.
2. How does the poet describe her mother in the car?
Ans: The poet describes her mother as old, pale, and weak. Her mother's face
looked "ashen like that of a corpse". She had dozed off with her mouth open,
showing her age and frailty.
3. What childhood memory comes to the poet's mind?
Ans:On seeing her mother's pale face, the poet remembers a childhood
memory. She recalls a "young girl" with "sprawling children" running out of a
house. This memory contrasts with her mother's old age now.
4. Why did the poet look at the trees and children outside?
Ans:The poet looked outside at the young trees sprinting past and merry
children to drive away the painful thought of her mother's old age and possible
death. She wanted to distract herself from fear and sadness.
5. What does the poet say to her mother at the airport?
, Ans:At the airport, after security check, the poet says "See you soon, Amma" to
her mother. She smiles and smiles to hide her fear and to reassure her mother
that they will meet again.
6. What is the central theme of the poem?
Ans: The central theme of the poem is fear of separation and aging. It shows a
daughter's love, anxiety about her mother's declining health, and how she hides
her pain with a smile to face the reality of growing old.
7. Describe the poet’s journey to the airport. What thoughts come to her mind
during the journey?
Ans:The poet is driving from her parents' home to Cochin airport. Her 66-year-
old mother is sitting beside her. The poet notices that her mother looks very old
and weak. Her face is pale, "ashen like that of a corpse" and she has dozed off
with her mouth open.
Seeing her mother like this, the poet gets scared of losing her. The thought of
her mother’s death and separation troubles her. To distract herself from this
painful thought, she looks outside. She sees young trees "sprinting" past and
merry children running out of their homes. This contrast between youth outside
and old age inside the car makes her more aware of time passing.
At the airport, she feels the same fear again when she sees her mother’s pale
face. But she hides her emotions, smiles, and says "See you soon, Amma" to
reassure both her mother and herself.
The journey shows the poet’s love, fear, and helplessness about aging and
separation.
8. What is the significance of the contrast between the "young trees" and "merry
children" and the poet’s mother?
Ans:In the poem, Kamala Das uses contrast to highlight the theme of aging and
time.
Chapter 1(Poem)
My mother at sixty -six
1. Where was the poet going and who was with her?
Ans:The poet was going to Cochin airport. She was driving from her parents'
home to the airport. Her 66-year-old mother was sitting beside her in the car.
2. How does the poet describe her mother in the car?
Ans: The poet describes her mother as old, pale, and weak. Her mother's face
looked "ashen like that of a corpse". She had dozed off with her mouth open,
showing her age and frailty.
3. What childhood memory comes to the poet's mind?
Ans:On seeing her mother's pale face, the poet remembers a childhood
memory. She recalls a "young girl" with "sprawling children" running out of a
house. This memory contrasts with her mother's old age now.
4. Why did the poet look at the trees and children outside?
Ans:The poet looked outside at the young trees sprinting past and merry
children to drive away the painful thought of her mother's old age and possible
death. She wanted to distract herself from fear and sadness.
5. What does the poet say to her mother at the airport?
, Ans:At the airport, after security check, the poet says "See you soon, Amma" to
her mother. She smiles and smiles to hide her fear and to reassure her mother
that they will meet again.
6. What is the central theme of the poem?
Ans: The central theme of the poem is fear of separation and aging. It shows a
daughter's love, anxiety about her mother's declining health, and how she hides
her pain with a smile to face the reality of growing old.
7. Describe the poet’s journey to the airport. What thoughts come to her mind
during the journey?
Ans:The poet is driving from her parents' home to Cochin airport. Her 66-year-
old mother is sitting beside her. The poet notices that her mother looks very old
and weak. Her face is pale, "ashen like that of a corpse" and she has dozed off
with her mouth open.
Seeing her mother like this, the poet gets scared of losing her. The thought of
her mother’s death and separation troubles her. To distract herself from this
painful thought, she looks outside. She sees young trees "sprinting" past and
merry children running out of their homes. This contrast between youth outside
and old age inside the car makes her more aware of time passing.
At the airport, she feels the same fear again when she sees her mother’s pale
face. But she hides her emotions, smiles, and says "See you soon, Amma" to
reassure both her mother and herself.
The journey shows the poet’s love, fear, and helplessness about aging and
separation.
8. What is the significance of the contrast between the "young trees" and "merry
children" and the poet’s mother?
Ans:In the poem, Kamala Das uses contrast to highlight the theme of aging and
time.
