English Flamingo Notes for Chapter 1 My Mother at Sixty-Six Class 12 - FREE PDF Download
FAQs on My Mother at Sixty-Six Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 1 CBSE Notes - 2025-26
1. What is the central theme to remember for a quick revision of the poem 'My Mother at Sixty-six'?
The central theme of the poem is the fear of loss and separation associated with aging. It captures a daughter's poignant realisation of her mother's mortality and the painful feeling of helplessness. The poem beautifully explores the complex emotions of love, anxiety, and the inevitability of time passing. For a deeper understanding, you can refer to the My Mother at Sixty-six Summary.
2. Can you provide a brief summary of 'My Mother at Sixty-six' for revision?
The poem recounts the poet's journey to the airport with her elderly mother. Seeing her mother dozing, her face looking pale and “ashen like that of a corpse,” the poet is struck by the sudden fear of losing her. To distract herself, she looks outside at the vibrant life—young trees sprinting and children playing. At the airport, after the security check, she looks at her mother again, who appears weak like a 'late winter's moon.' Hiding her tears and childhood fear, she smiles and promises to see her mother soon.
3. What are the key poetic devices used in 'My Mother at Sixty-six'?
For a thorough revision, it's crucial to remember the key poetic devices Kamala Das uses to convey her emotions:
- Simile: The poet uses similes to draw comparisons, such as her mother's face being 'ashen like that of a corpse' and looking 'wan, pale as a late winter’s moon'.
- Personification: The 'young trees sprinting' is an example where trees are given the human quality of running.
- Repetition: The phrase 'smile and smile and smile' is repeated to emphasise the poet's attempt to hide her true feelings of pain and fear.
- Juxtaposition: The poet contrasts the image of her aging, frail mother with the energetic life outside the car. You can explore more through the My Mother at Sixty-six Class 12 Notes.
4. How does the contrast between the world inside and outside the car enhance the poem's theme?
The contrast is a key concept for understanding the poem's emotional depth. Inside the car, there is the silent, grim reality of aging and impending death, represented by the poet's dozing mother. Outside, the world is full of life and energy, symbolised by the 'young trees sprinting' and 'merry children spilling out of their homes.' This stark juxtaposition highlights the poet's inner turmoil and sorrow, as the vibrant world outside makes the reality of her mother's aging even more painful and acute.
5. Why does the poet repeatedly say 'smile, and smile, and smile' at the end?
The repetition of 'smile' is a deliberate act of concealment. The smile is not one of genuine happiness but a facade to hide her deep-seated fear and sadness from her mother. It is a conscious effort to put on a brave face, offering a sense of reassurance to both her mother and herself. The smile signifies the helplessness of the poet, who can only offer a hopeful, albeit painful, farewell.
6. What is the significance of the poem being structured as a single sentence?
The poem's structure as a single, long sentence without any full stops is a clever technique. It mirrors the continuous, uninterrupted flow of thoughts and emotions that the poet experiences. The lack of pauses reflects the overwhelming nature of her anxiety and sadness, which rushes through her mind as she observes her mother. This unbroken narrative thread helps to build the pensive and melancholic mood of the poem.
7. How do these revision notes for 'My Mother at Sixty-six' help in exam preparation for the 2025-26 session?
These revision notes are designed to help you quickly recap the core concepts of the poem as per the CBSE 2025-26 syllabus. They focus on the central theme, summary, and key literary devices, which are often the basis for short and long-answer questions. Understanding these elements ensures you can craft well-structured answers that demonstrate a deep comprehension of the poet's emotions and techniques. For practice, refer to important questions for 'My Mother At Sixty-Six'.

















