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Written by the famous poet Kamala Das, “My Mother at Sixty Six” in the Class 12 English textbook is a poem that explores the complexities of human relationships. This poem skillfully portrays the nuanced emotions that are part of these relationships. The summary of “My Mother at Sixty Six” for Class 12 English reveals the deep and loving bond between a daughter and her mother. The poem delves into the daughter’s fears about losing her mother, capturing the essence of their relationship. The summary gives an overview of the poem and its message about the preciousness of the mother-daughter bond.
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My Mother at Sixty six Summary in English
The poem “My Mother at Sixty Six” starts with a daughter noticing her aging mother as they travel to the Cochin airport. The daughter is saddened by her mother’s aging and the fear of losing her. She describes her mother’s face as pale, almost like a sleeping corpse, which deeply affects her.
To distract herself, the daughter looks out the car window and finds solace in the lively scenery outside. The sight of children playing under the vibrant green trees reminds her of her mother’s youthful days, contrasting with her current state, which saddens her.
Upon reaching the airport, the daughter is saddened by the imminent separation from her mother. She sees her mother smiling amidst the dusky evening, comparing it to the late-night moon in winter obscured by haze, symbolizing her mother’s old age.
Despite her grief, the daughter smiles bravely, hoping to see her mother again soon. She bids farewell, wishing her mother a happy and full life. The poem beautifully portrays the daughter’s emotional struggle with her mother’s aging and the inevitable separation.
In conclusion, “My Mother at Sixty Six” poignantly depicts the bond between a daughter and her aging mother. It reflects on the inevitable process of aging and the deepening of relationships over time. The poem conveys the pain of losing a loved one and the author’s heartfelt emotions towards her mother.
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My Mother at Sixty six Summary in Hindi
पिछले शुक्रवार को सवेरे कवयित्री अपने माता-पिता के घर से कोचीन हवाई अड्डे की ओर गाड़ी चलाती हुई जा रही थी। उसकी माँ उसके पास बैठी थी। वह 66 वर्ष की थी। वृद्धा उँघ रही थी। उसका मुँह खुला रह गया था। उसका चेहरा पीला तथा मुझीया हुआ दिखता था और राख जैसा विवर्ण-धूसर लगता था। यह एक लाश के समान निर्जीव प्रतीत होता था।
उसकी माँ का निर्जीव तथा विवर्ण चेहरा उसके हृदय को दु:ख पहुँचाता था। वृद्धा अपने ही विचारों में खोयी हुई प्रतीत होती थी। कवयित्री ने अपना ध्यान अपनी माँ से हटाया तथा बाहर की ओर देखा। बाहर का संसार जीवन से भरपूर तथा गतिविधियों से भरा पड़ा था। छोटे-छोटे वृक्ष पीछे दौड़ते हुये प्रतीत होते थे। अपने घरों से बाहर निकलते हुए बच्चे प्रसन्न दिखते थे।
जब वे हवाई अड्डे पर थे, तो उन्हें सुरक्षा जाँच से गुजरना पड़ा। कवयित्री अपनी माँ से कुछ गज़ दूर खड़ी थी। उसने अपनी माँ को फिर से देखा। माँ के विवर्ण, निर्जीव तथा पीले चेहरे को देखकर वह पुनः दुःखी हो गई। उसका चेहरा उस बीतती हुई शरद ऋतु के विवर्ण चन्द्रमा की भाँति दिखाई देता था, जिसकी चमक तथा शक्ति चुक गई हो। इसने कवयित्री के हृदय में पुरानी जानी-पहचानी टीस (पीड़ा) जागृत कर दी। उसके बचपन के भय ने उसे फिर से जकड़ लिया। किन्तु उसने स्वयं को नियन्त्रित किया। वह सामान्य दिखने लगी। उसे अलविदा कहते समय उसने अपने चेहरे पर मुस्कान बिखेर ली थी। वह अपनी वृद्धा अम्मा से फिर से मिलने की कामना करती थी।
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Explanation of the Poem
In this poem, the poet describes a journey to the Cochin airport with her elderly mother. She observes her mother closely, comparing her face to that of a corpse, feeling numb at the thought of losing her. The poet highlights the deep love and affection in a mother-daughter relationship, despite the pain and insecurity she feels.
The poet tries to distract herself from these negative feelings by looking outside the car. She sees a scene of life and energy outside the window, with trees symbolizing youthfulness and children playing, representing positivity. She recalls her own childhood, contrasting it with her mother’s current age, which fills her with fear.
At the airport, the poet feels sadness at the impending separation from her mother. She sees her mother as old and worn out, comparing her to a late winter’s moon obscured by fog. The poet is in pain at the thought of leaving her mother and fears losing her forever due to old age.
Despite her pain, the poet hides her tears and smiles, not wanting to upset her mother. She bids farewell, hoping to see her mother alive again and wanting to maintain a cheerful atmosphere as her mother desires.
Overall, the poem explores themes of loss, separation, and aging, as well as the deep bond between a mother and her daughter, and nostalgia for the past.
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FAQs on My Mother at Sixty six Summary Class 12 English
The narrator, who is the daughter, experiences sadness because she suddenly realizes her mother is aging and might not be around for much longer. The prospect of losing her mother, coupled with the pain of separation as the narrator heads to the airport, evokes sorrow.
Does the daughter cry when saying goodbye to her mother?
No, the daughter doesn't cry while bidding farewell to her mother. Despite feeling emotional, she holds back tears, opting to smile quietly instead. She does this to avoid saddening her mother and remains hopeful about seeing her again soon.
What are the poet's feelings of distress and worry?
As the poet closely observes her mother's aging face, she feels a sense of impending loss and worries about her mother's well-being. She fears that her mother may not receive the care she needs and grapples with the childhood fear of losing her forever, leaving her feeling helpless.
Why are the young trees likened to sprinting in the poem?
The young trees are described as sprinting because the poet, observing them from a moving car, perceives them as swiftly passing by. This stands in contrast to her mother, who appears still and lifeless, resembling a corpse.
