My Mother at Sixty-Six

As she drove to Cochin airport, the thought that her mother looked old and withered, disturbed the poet. Her childhood fears haunted her again.

The youngsters in the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’ are described as springing because they are symbolic of youth, liveliness and joy. In contrast to the poet’s frail and aging mother the children appear to be young and spirited.

The young trees are described as ‘sprinting’ because the poet wants to show a contrast between the young trees and her old mother.

As a child, Kamala Das feared losing her mother. When she is going to the airport, the fear resurfaces while she gazes at her mother. She realises that her mother is growing old and frail and nearing death.

Kamala Das’ mother was dozing, as she was siting in the car. Her face looked pale and wan like a dead body. Kamala Das thought that her mother would not live long and felt pain that she might not meet her again. nn

Kamala Das looked at the young children, as they represented youth, which is full of life and energy. She wanted to drive away the fearful and disturbing thought that her mother was getting old and weak and might die soon.

Kamala Das feels pained at the thought of her mother getting old. She was pained to think that she may lose her mother soon.

The poet’s parting words of assurance and her smile are a deliberate attempt to hide her anxiety and fear of loss and separation. Alternatively, they are also significant because they reflect poet’s hope to see her mother again, reassuring her mother at the same time. OR The poet’s parting words signify hope and a promise…

As a child, Kamala Das had a fear of losing her mother. She always felt sad when she was separated from her mother and was scared that she might not be alive the next time she came back.