CBSE Class 12 English My Mother at Sixty-Six Summary

CBSE Class 12 English My Mother at Sixty-six Summary: Preparing for English exams becomes easier when you have the right notes in hand, and that is why we have brought you the My Mother at Sixty-six summary. 

This poem by Kamala Das is an important part of your syllabus as it explores the emotional bond between a mother and her daughter, and the pain of seeing a loved one age. 

While going through these summary notes, you will understand how the poet describes her mother’s fragile and pale appearance, her own feelings of fear and sadness, and the contrast between youth and old age. Understanding these key emotions and imagery helps you frame strong answers, as questions often focus on the poet’s use of symbolism, similes, and vivid descriptions.

The poem also emphasizes the inevitability of life and the importance of acceptance. Through this My Mother at Sixty six poem, students can learn to critically analyse relationships, emotions and life lessons. These CBSE Class 12 English summary is a simple and quick way to revise the poem effectively before exams.

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CBSE Class 12 English My Mother at Sixty-six Summary

Below is the My Mother at Sixty-six summary for students to prepare for board exams. The poem by Kamala Das shows the love between a mother and daughter and the pain of seeing a parent grow old. 

This summary helps students understand the poem quickly and revise important points for better preparation for their board exams.

Summary of My Mother Sixty-six

In the poem, the poet narrates an incident when she was driving her mother to the Cochin airport. Her mother, aged sixty-six, was sitting beside her, dozing with her mouth slightly open. The poet noticed that her mother's face looked pale, faded and lifeless, almost like ash or a corpse. 

Trying to distract herself from these thoughts, the poet looked outside the window. She observed young trees moving quickly and children happily running out of their homes. This lively scene outside was in stark contrast to the fragile and aged appearance of her mother, highlighting the passage of time and the inevitability of ageing.

At the airport, after the security check, the poet once again looked at her mother from a distance. Her mother’s face appeared pale and dim like a late winter moon that had lost its glow. This imagery reminded the poet of her childhood fear of losing her mother. 

Despite feeling sadness and anxiety, she controlled her emotions and smiled while bidding goodbye, concealing her pain to comfort her mother.

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Class 12 English Poem My Mother at Sixty-six: Themes and Emotions

The poem captures the universal theme of ageing and mortality. It reflects the emotional bond between parents and children and the fear of losing loved ones. The poet shows how difficult it is to see someone you love grow old and fragile, yet life moves on and acceptance becomes necessary.

Kamala Das uses poetic devices like:

• Similes: Comparing her mother's face to a corpse and a late winter’s moon.

• Imagery: Young trees sprinting children playing to show the contrast between youth and old age.

• Personification: Giving life-like qualities to trees to depict energy and movement.

• Repetition and Alliteration: The word smile is repeated to show the poet's attempt to hide her sadness.

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Importance of My Mother at Sixty-six Poem

The poem of My Mother at Sixty Six is significant for students as it helps them understand human emotions, relationships and the natural cycle of life. 

It is included in the Class 12 CBSE English syllabus for its rich imagery, relatable emotions, and meaningful life lessons. Students can learn about acceptance, love and the passage of time through this poem.

Read More: NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English Flamingo Poem Chapter 1 My Mother at Sixty-Six

CBSE Class 12 English My Mother at Sixty-six Summary FAQs

Q1. What is the poem My Mother at Sixty-six about?
The poem is about a daughter's feelings as she sees her mother growing old. It shows love, fear and the pain of seeing a parent age.

Q2. Who wrote the poem My Mother at Sixty-six?
The poem was written by the Indian poet Kamala Das.

Q3. Why does the poet compare her mother's face to a late winter’s moon?
The poet uses this simile to show her mother’s pale and lifeless face, which has lost the glow and energy of youth.

Q4. What emotions does the poet feel in the poem?
The poet feels sadness, fear, and helplessness as she sees her mother age. She also feels the pain of parting, but tries to control her emotions.

Q5. How does the poem help students for board exams?
The poem teaches important themes like love, ageing, and acceptance. Understanding the summary, imagery and key emotions helps students answer questions easily in board exams.