My Mother at Sixty-Six (Kamala Das) — Flashcards

Answer

Kamala Das wrote My Mother at Sixty-Six. She is recognised as one of India's foremost poets and is known for her original and expressive style.

Answer

The central emotion is pain mixed with fear and sadness. The speaker feels disturbed by her mother’s ageing and by the possibility of losing her.

Answer

Ageing is shown as natural but emotionally painful for those who love elderly parents. The mother’s tired face and weak appearance make the speaker aware of time, change, and human mortality.

Answer

The poem is set during a Friday morning drive from the parent’s home to Cochin for an airport drop. This setting creates a realistic and personal background for the speaker’s reflections.

Answer

The comparison highlights the mother’s weakness, paleness, and extreme ageing. It creates a sudden shock and makes the speaker feel the painful reality of old age.

Answer

It suggests speed, movement, and energy. The image of young trees rushing past the car contrasts sharply with the mother’s ageing and the speaker’s sadness.

Answer

The image suggests vitality, innocence, and carefree youth. It strengthens the contrast between childhood energy and the mother’s ageing body.

Answer

The speaker quickly suppresses the painful thought and looks out at the world outside the car. This shows emotional self-control, but also inner disturbance.