My Mother at Sixty-Six by Kamala Das

A Brief Explanation of the Poem – My Mother at Sixty-Six

This poem appears is a reflection on the experience of driving from the narrator's parent's
home to Cochin (a city in India) with their mother. As they drive, the narrator observes their
mother, who appears to be asleep with her mouth open, looking pale and ashen, which
prompts the realization of her age and mortality. However, the narrator quickly pushes these
thoughts aside and focuses on the passing scenery, including young trees and playful
children.

The mood shifts when they reach the airport's security check, where the narrator takes
another look at their mother and is struck by her wan and pale appearance, reminiscent of a
late winter's moon. This triggers a sense of sadness and fear, reminiscent of childhood
anxieties about their mother's mortality. Despite these emotions, the narrator chooses to
mask their feelings with a smile, bidding their mother farewell with a simple "see you soon,
Amma" (Amma being a term for mother in several Indian languages), concealing their inner
turmoil.

The passage captures the complex emotions of love, mortality, and the passage of time, as
well as the bittersweet experience of parting with a loved one, all through vivid imagery and
introspective narration.

A Critical Analysis of the Poem

The poem presents a poignant exploration of the complex emotions associated with the
passage of time, mortality, and the relationship between a child and their aging parent.
Through evocative imagery and introspective narration, the poet delves into the narrator's
experience of observing their mother during a journey from their parent's home to Cochin.

Imagery: One notable aspect of the poem is its vivid imagery, which effectively conveys the
narrator's observations and emotions. The image of the mother sleeping with her mouth
open, her face ashen like that of a corpse, is striking and serves as a stark reminder of her
mortality. Similarly, the comparison of the mother's pallor to that of a late winter's moon
enhances the sense of melancholy and foreshadows the inevitable passage of time.

Theme: The poem also explores the theme of denial and repression. Despite the narrator's
acknowledgment of their mother's age and frailty, they quickly push these thoughts aside
and focus on external distractions, such as the passing scenery and the hustle and bustle of
the airport. This denial is further emphasized by the narrator's insistence on smiling and
maintaining a facade of normalcy, even as they grapple with feelings of sadness and fear.

Furthermore, the poem touches upon the theme of childhood anxieties and the enduring
impact of familial relationships. The narrator's reference to their "childhood's fear" suggests
that their anxieties about their mother's mortality date back to their early years, highlighting
the profound influence of parental figures on a child's psyche. This theme adds depth to the
poem's exploration of the parent-child bond and the inevitability of separation.
Overall, the poem offers a poignant meditation on love, loss, and the passage of time.
Through its vivid imagery and introspective narration, it invites readers to reflect on their own
relationships with aging parents and the complex emotions that accompany the process of
saying goodbye.

Literary Devices used in the poem:

1. Imagery: The poem utilizes vivid imagery to paint a picture of the scenes and
emotions described, such as the mother's face ashen like that of a corpse and her
pallor likened to a late winter's moon.
2. Simile: The comparison of the mother's face to that of a corpse and her pallor to a
late winter's moon employs similes to enhance the description and evoke specific
emotions.
3. Symbolism: The reference to the mother's face as ashen like that of a corpse
symbolizes mortality and the passage of time, while the comparison to a late winter's
moon symbolizes sadness and melancholy.
4. Personification: The description of the young trees "sprinting" and the children
"spilling out of their homes" personifies these elements of nature, giving them
human-like qualities and adding depth to the imagery.
5. Repetition: The repetition of the word "smile" at the end of the poem emphasizes the
narrator's attempt to conceal their true feelings and maintain a facade of normalcy.
6. Alliteration: The repetition of the "m" sound in phrases like "merry children spilling"
and "my childhood's fear" adds a musical quality to the poem and emphasizes the
emotions conveyed.
7. Metaphor: The comparison of the mother's pallor to a late winter's moon can be seen
as a metaphor for the passing of time and the inevitability of aging.