My Mother at Sixty Six
SUMMARY
The poet in the poem shares her childhood fear of
losing her mother to death, which is a cause of great pain to her.
She describes an incident when she is driving with her
mother to the airport after one of her visits. Her mother sitting next to her
dozes off and seeing her sleep peacefully as if she is dead; the poet is
haunted by her fear again.
The pale face of her sleeping mother reminds the poet
that her mother is aging. She pushes that thought out of her mind and looks at
the young trees and merry children. The poet uses this imagery (trees and
children) to emphasise upon the age of her mother. They also present a contrast
to the age and weakness of her mother as they symbolise the joy, energy &
enthusiasm of the youth.
At the airport's security check, the poet looks at her
mother's face and is reminded of her childhood fear again. How she compares her
mother to a late winter's moon but she suppresses her fear, smiles and says to
her mother," See you soon". The words and smile seem to serve two
purposes - one, to assure herself that she would met her mother again and
another, make her mother happy by promising to see her soon.
Question-Answers
Q1. What is
the kind of pain and ache that the poet feels?
Ans. The
poet feels a familiar ache caused by her fear of losing her mother. This pain
tortures her every time the thought of losing her mother comes to her.
Q2. Why are
the young trees described as ‘sprinting’?
Ans. The
young trees seem to be running because the poet is travelling in a vehicle.
These trees symbolise the youth full of speed, energy and liveliness.
Q3. Why has
the poet brought in the image of merry children ‘spilling out of their home’?
Ans. ‘Merry
children’ symbolised childhood and all the characteristics- age, mood and merry
state of these children which present an absolute contrast to that of the
poet’s mother. Three different stages of life are presented here.
Q4. Why has
the mother been compared to ‘late winter’s moon’?
Ans.
Drawing a parallel between seasons and life, ‘late winter’ symbolises the
advanced age of the mother. The paleness of her face, combined with lack of
energy and liveliness are symbolised as the late winter’s moon.
Q5. What do
the parting words of the poet and her smile symbolise?
Ans. They
are a brave attempt at hiding her pain and fears. They reflect her courage at
suppressing her sorrow and acceptance of the fact that life has to go on.
Through the words she assures herself that she would meet her mother again and
also makes her mother happy with the promise.
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