Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6: "My Mother at Sixty-six" by Kamala Da

 Class 12 English Flamingo Chapter 6: "My Mother at Sixty-six" by Kamala Das

Summary:

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The poem "My Mother at Sixty-six" by Kamala Das is an emotional reflection of the poet's feelings of concern and love for her aging mother. It captures a moment from the poet's life when she is driving her mother to the airport. The poem explores the themes of aging, separation, loss, and the passage of time.

Poem Summary:

The poem opens with Kamala Das describing a scene where she is driving her mother, who is now old and frail, to the airport. She looks at her mother, and the sight of her frailty makes the poet feel sad and anxious.

1. Imagery of Aging:

   • The poet describes her mother’s face as "ashen" and "pale," which suggests how the effects of aging are visible on her mother’s face. The comparison to a "dead body" or "ashen" emphasizes her frailty and the inevitability of aging.

2. Fear of Separation:

   • As they approach the airport, the poet becomes filled with the fear of losing her mother. She is painfully aware of the physical signs of aging and the fact that her mother’s time is limited. The poet is deeply affected by this realization, and it makes her feel helpless and vulnerable.
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   The Mother’s Care:
   • The poet recalls her mother’s earlier years, when she was more energetic, but now she is dependent on the poet and is visibly aging. Kamala Das compares the image of her mother to that of a child, who is growing weaker and frailer with age.

4. Separation at the Airport:

   • The moment of parting is emotional. As the poet leaves her mother at the airport, the poet is overcome with sorrow. She holds back tears, trying to control her emotions, but she is unable to stop thinking about her mother’s vulnerability and the possibility of losing her.

5. Symbolism of the Sea:

   • The poet then contrasts her emotions with the "deep sea" imagery. The sea is constant and expansive, suggesting the permanence of the mother’s love and the inevitable cycle of life and death. The poet also refers to the “waves” of time that keep moving forward, symbolizing the passage of life and the inevitability of separation and loss.

6. The Poet's Realization:

   • While at the airport, Kamala Das is struck by the awareness that she may not be able to protect her mother from the effects of aging and death. However, she also understands that this cycle of life is inevitable. The parting and the fear of loss serve to remind the poet of the transient nature of life.

Themes:

1. Aging and Mortality:

   • The poem highlights the emotional impact of witnessing the aging process, particularly in loved ones. The poet’s deep sorrow is triggered by the physical signs of aging, which are symbols of mortality.

2. Separation:

   • The poet’s fear of separation from her mother reflects the pain of growing older and the inevitable distance that time brings. The emotional separation at the airport mirrors the broader emotional separation between parent and child as the parent ages.

3. Love and Care:

   • The poem also reveals the poet's deep love and concern for her mother. The poet’s anxiety and sadness stem from her care for her mother’s well-being.

4. Cycle of Life and Death:

   • The recurring motif of the sea in the poem reflects the cyclical nature of life, death, and renewal. The sea’s eternal waves symbolize the ongoing passage of time, and the poet’s contemplation of this suggests a recognition of life's fleeting nature.

Structure and Style:

• The poem is free verse (without a fixed rhyme scheme), which complements the natural, flowing tone of the poet’s emotions. The absence of rhyme mirrors the poet's contemplative mood, and it reflects the unpredictability of life and time.

• The poem is also rich in imagery. The image of the “ashen face” conveys the frailty of aging, and the comparison to the sea conveys the endless nature of time. Contrast is used effectively, particularly between the poet’s feelings of vulnerability and the sea's vastness.

Important Quotes:

1. On her mother’s old age:

   • "But after the airport’s security check, standing a few yards away, I looked again at her, wan, pale / as a late winter’s moon, and felt that old familiar ache."
   • Here, Kamala Das captures the sorrow she feels as she sees the physical signs of aging in her mother. The image of her mother being pale like a "late winter's moon" suggests her fragility and the inevitable approach of death.

2. The poet’s realization:

   • "And felt that old familiar ache, my childhood's fear, / but all I said was, see you soon, Amma, / all I did was smile and smile and smile."
   • This reveals the poet’s internal conflict. She is overwhelmed with sorrow but tries to control her emotions, putting on a brave face by smiling as she bids her mother farewell.

3. On the sea metaphor:

   • "The sea waves, the sea waves, and the air is filled with the smells of salt water."
   • The sea here is a symbol of eternity, an unchanging force, in contrast to the poet’s internal emotional turmoil. It represents the constant, unstoppable passage of time.

Conclusion:

In "My Mother at Sixty-six," Kamala Das expresses universal feelings of love, fear, and helplessness that arise when we realize the frailty and impermanence of our loved ones. The poem explores the emotional weight of aging, the inevitability of death, and the separation between parent and child. Through vivid imagery and personal reflection, the poet conveys the complex emotions surrounding these themes, leaving the reader to ponder their own relationships with aging, love, and loss.