"My Mother at Sixty-Six" Summary: All you need to know for Class 12 English

Kamala Das's poem "My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a poignant reflection on aging, capturing the universal fear of losing loved ones through the lens of a daughter's eyes.

Born in Kerala, India, Das was known for her bold and honest writing. This poem, too, is a testament to her courage, delving deep into personal fears and societal taboos about aging and death.

The journey to Cochin airport becomes a metaphor for life's journey, with the poet's aging mother beside her, symbolizing the inevitable passage of time and the cycle of life.

The contrast between the sleeping, aged mother and the vibrant, youthful world outside the car window starkly highlights the natural yet painful process of aging.

Das uses simple yet powerful imagery, like the "ashen" face of her mother, to evoke a deep emotional response, making the personal universal.

The comparison of the mother to a "late winter's moon" is evocative, suggesting both the beauty and the dimming light of life in its twilight years.

The repetition of "smile" at the poem's end serves as a coping mechanism, a brave face put on to mask the deep-seated fear and pain of eventual loss.

💡Central idea: Kamala Das's "My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a moving exploration of aging, loss, and the unbreakable bonds of love, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life and the importance of cherishing every moment with our loved ones.

🖼️ Symbolism: Through the simplicity of a car ride to the airport, Das captures the transitory nature of life offering a profound meditation on love, change, and the inevitability of saying goodbye.

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