What traumatic event does Zitkala-Sa describe at the school?

The forcible cutting of her long hair

Why was the cutting of her hair so humiliating to Zitkala-Sa?

Among her people, shingled hair was worn by cowards and mourners

What did the poet notice about her mother as they drove to the airport?

She noticed her mother dozing with her mouth open, her face pale and ashen like that of a corpse, which made her aware of her mother's old age.

Why did the poet look outside the car?

To drive away the painful thought of her mother's ageing and approaching death by looking at the lively young trees and merry children, images of youth and energy.

What does the image of the 'late winter's moon' suggest?

It suggests the mother's pale, dim, fading appearance and her advanced age, dull and lacking the brightness of youth.

What contrast does the poet draw in the poem?

She contrasts her mother's frail, ageing figure with the youthful trees sprinting past and the children spilling out of homes, setting old age against vibrant life.

What childhood fear returns to the poet?

The old, familiar fear of losing her mother — the ache of possible separation and death that she had felt even as a child.

Why does the poet smile and smile at the end?

She smiles to hide her pain and anxiety and to reassure both her mother and herself, even as she fears the parting.

What do the words 'see you soon, Amma' convey?

They are words of hope and reassurance, masking the poet's deep fear of separation and her wish to comfort her mother.

How does the poet use visual imagery in the poem?

Through images such as the ashen face, sprinting trees, merry children and the late winter's moon, she vividly conveys ageing, life and fading.

What is the central theme of the poem?

It deals with ageing, the fear of losing a loved one, and the timeless, tender bond between a mother and her child.

Why is the moment in the poem described as poignant?

Because amid an ordinary drive the poet suddenly confronts her mother's mortality, mixing love with a quiet, deep sorrow.

My Mother at Sixty-six

Class 12 English · Flamingo – Poems · Chapter 1

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CBSE Class 12 · English Core

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The story in short

Written by Kamala Das, this short poem captures a poignant moment of love, fear and ageing. The poet is driving from her parents' home to the Cochin airport with her elderly mother dozing beside her. Looking at her mother's pale, ashen face, mouth open like a corpse, she is struck by the painful realisation that her mother is growing old and that death is drawing near. This thought fills her with a familiar childhood fear of losing her mother. To distract herself from the gloomy thought, she deliberately looks out of the car at the young trees sprinting past and the merry children spilling out of their homes — images of life, youth and energy that contrast sharply with her mother's frail old age. At the airport, after the security check, she sees her mother once more, looking as pale and faded as a late winter's moon. Overcome with the old ache and fear, the poet hides her anxiety behind a smile, repeating the reassuring words 'see you soon, Amma'. The poem explores the universal themes of ageing, the fear of separation and the deep bond between a mother and her child, conveyed through striking visual images.

Ageing and mortalityMother-child bondFear of separationImagery and contrastHidden emotion

Characters & key ideas

Kamala DasThe poet who reflects on her ageing mother.

AgeingThe central concern as the mother grows old and frail.

Fear of lossThe childhood ache the poet feels at the thought of separation.

Late winter's moonThe image comparing the mother's pale, faded face.

ContrastThe device setting youthful life against the mother's old age.

SmileThe reassuring mask hiding the poet's inner pain.

Extra questions & answers (board-style)

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Who wrote the poem "My Mother at Sixty-six"?

Flashcards & interactive practice