My Mother at Sixty-Six: Comprehensive Summary and Analysis (For 12th RBSE)

Introduction

“My Mother at Sixty-Six” by Kamala Das is a deeply moving poem that explores a daughter’s emotional journey as she confronts her aging mother’s mortality. During a car ride to the airport, the speaker experiences a profound realization about her mother’s advancing age, creating a touching narrative that resonates with readers worldwide.

This poem, a significant work in Indian English literature, masterfully weaves together themes of aging, familial bonds, and the universal experience of watching one’s parents grow old. For 11th RBSE students studying “My Mother at Sixty-Six,” this analysis provides valuable insights into the poem’s themes and meaning.

Hindi Translation of My Mother at Sixty-Six

Stanza 1 (English)

Driving from my parent’s
home to Cochin last Friday
morning, I saw my mother,
beside me,
doze, open mouthed, her face
ashen like that
of a corpse and realised with pain
that she was as old as she
looked but soon
put that thought away, and

Stanza 1 (Hindi)

मेरे माता-पिता के घर से
पिछले शुक्रवार सुबह, कोच्चिन के लिए निकलते हुए
मैंने अपनी माँ को देखा,
मेरे बगल में,
चुपचाप झपकी लेते हुए, उनका मुंह खुला हुआ, उनका चेहरा
एक लाश जैसा फीका पड़ चुका था,
और दर्द से समझा कि
वे उतनी ही बूढ़ी थीं जितनी दिखती थीं,
लेकिन थोड़ी ही देर में
उस सोच को भुला दिया, और

Stanza 2 (English)

looked out at Young
Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling
out of their homes, but after the airport’s
security check, standing a few yards
away, I looked again at her, wan, pale
as a late winter’s moon and felt that old
familiar ache, my childhood’s fear,
but all I said was, see you soon, Amma,
all I did was smile and smile and
smile……

Stanza 2 (Hindi)

फिर नज़र डाली उन जवान
पेड़ों की ओर जो तेज़ी से डगमगा रहे थे,
खुशमिजाज बच्चे अपने घरों से छलकते हुए,
पर हवाई अड्डे की सुरक्षा जांच के बाद, कुछ दूरी पर खड़े,
मैंने दोबारा उन्हें देखा, जैसे देर सर्दी की चांदनी में फीकी,
और महसूस किया वह पुराना
परिचित दर्द, मेरे बचपन का डर,
पर मैंने केवल कहा, “जल्द मिलेंगे, अम्मा,”
और बस मुस्कुराती रही, मुस्कुराती रही,
मुस्कुराती रही……

The Face as a Symbol

In “My Mother at Sixty-Six,” the mother’s face serves as a central symbolic element, described through a powerful simile:

I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winter’s moon

This comparison of the mother’s face to a “late winter’s moon” creates a vivid image of aging and diminishing vitality. The moon imagery, particularly significant in Indian culture, represents both beauty and the natural cycle of life. The paleness and waning qualities of a winter moon effectively convey the theme of aging, making it relatable for students exploring the poem’s deeper meanings.

Theme of Aging and Mortality

The poem addresses mortality through carefully constructed imagery and contrasts. The opening lines of “My Mother at Sixty-Six” present a striking observation:

Driving from my parent’s home to Cochin last Friday morning,

I saw my mother, beside me, doze, open mouthed,

her face ashen like that of a corpse

This powerful comparison immediately introduces the theme of mortality, while the everyday setting makes the realization more impactful. The contrast between the dozing mother and the “young trees sprinting” outside creates a poignant commentary on life’s cycles, helping students understand the poem’s deeper meanings.

Mother-Daughter Relationship

The emotional heart of “My Mother at Sixty-Six” lies in its exploration of the mother-daughter bond. Das writes:

and looked but soon put that thought away,

and looked out at young trees sprinting,

the merry children spilling out of their homes

The speaker’s deliberate choice to “put that thought away” reveals both the pain of facing a parent’s mortality and the natural human instinct to seek comfort in life’s ongoing vitality. The airport farewell scene gains deeper significance:

but after the airport’s security check, standing a few yards away,

I looked again at her, wan, pale as a late winter’s moon

The physical separation at the airport mirrors the emotional distance created by mortality, while the repeated looking demonstrates the enduring connection between mother and child.

The Journey Motif

The journey motif in “My Mother at Sixty-Six” serves multiple symbolic purposes, enriching the poem’s exploration of aging and relationships. The car ride to the airport represents not just a physical journey but mirrors the emotional voyage of understanding and acceptance. As students studying “My Mother at Sixty-Six” will notice, the airport symbolizes both separation and the temporary nature of human connections, while the speaker’s movement through these spaces reflects her internal struggle with her mother’s aging process.

Literary Techniques in My Mother at Sixty-Six

Kamala Das employs several sophisticated literary devices, which you can download the poem pdf and read, to convey her message effectively:

• Imagery: The poem creates powerful contrasting images – the “ashen” face of the mother against the vitality of “young trees sprinting,” helping readers visualize the central conflict of mortality versus life.
• Structure: The single-stanza format creates an uninterrupted flow of thoughts, mirroring the speaker’s continuous stream of consciousness and time’s relentless march.
• Repetition: The recurring act of looking at her mother emphasizes the speaker’s reluctance to accept reality, while suggesting the cyclical nature of their relationship.
• Simile: The comparison to “a late winter’s moon” adds depth to the theme of aging, suggesting both beauty and impermanence.
• Juxtaposition: The poem consistently contrasts youth with age, movement with stillness, and life with death.
• Symbolism: The airport emerges as a powerful symbol of separation and transition.

Cultural Context and Universal Appeal

While “My Mother at Sixty-Six” is rooted in Indian family dynamics and cultural values, particularly the sacred mother-child bond in Indian society, it transcends cultural boundaries through its universal themes. The speaker’s attempt to maintain composure (“smile and smile and smile”) reflects both Indian cultural expectations and the universal human tendency to mask deep emotional pain during moments of separation.

Conclusion

“My Mother at Sixty-Six” stands as a masterful exploration of watching parents age, a theme that resonates deeply with readers across generations. Through Das’s skillful imagery and emotional restraint, the poem captures the complex emotions of love, fear, and acceptance. The poem’s enduring impact lies in its ability to transform a simple airport journey into a profound meditation on mortality and familial bonds.

Key Analysis Points

• The poem’s structure mirrors continuous thought during the journey
• Natural imagery contrasts youth and age
• Significance of repeated “looking” and “looking away”
• The understated emotional impact of farewell
• Universal theme of confronting parent’s mortality
• Cultural significance of mother-daughter relationships
• Journey and separation symbolism