NOTES ON POEMS

MOTHER AT SIXTY – SIX

1. What is the image of old age conv4yed by Kamala Das?

Ans. Kamala Das portrays old age in a very negative light wherein it is a phase bereft of the energy ,
vitality and the beauty of youth. The open – mouthed ashen image of her mother conveys ugliness
and her sleep denotes the inactivity and lethargy of old age. The comparison to a corpse and to a
late winter’s moon conveys horror, a lack of hope and a sense of the inevitable culmination in death.

2. Why does the speaker wish to put away the thought of her mother’s old age?

Ans. The speaker is uncomfortable with the evidence of her mother’s advancing years and wishes to
divert her attention from the notion of approaching death. She looks out of the window tofocus her
attention on the more pleasant contrasting images of youthful trees and merry children.

3. Why does the poet use the simile of a late winter’s moon in connection with the aged mother?

Ans. Winter is symbolic of the last stage of human life. Here the mother appears to be in the final
stages of her life. Similarly, the waning of the moon is often compared to the declining years of
human life.

4. What is the familiar ache referred to in the poem?

Ans. The speaker refers to the universal fear of losing a parent that is inherent in every child. This
fear commences unconsciously at the beginning of life and continues into adulthood. The poet refers to
the pain caused by the awareness of this impending and inevitable separation.

5. Why does the speaker utter the words, “:see you soon Amma”?

Ans. Despite the disturbing thoughts troubling the speaker throughout her journey with the mother,
at parting, she only utters the words “see you soon Amma”. These conventional words of farewell
serve to mask her actual fears and also hide them from her mother. There is a note of positivity
conveyed through these words which lend a sense of hope for the future. Perhaps it is also rthe
speaker’s attempt to convince herself to dismiss her fears.

6. Why does the speaker repeat the word “smile”?

Ans. The repetition of the word signifies the effort made by the speaker to hide her fear of losingf
her mother. Instead of conveying joy as a genuine smile would, the speaker’s smile is only a false
attempt to convey cheerfulness to conceal her fear from her mother.

7. What does the image of sprinting trees convey?

Ans. The poet uses the phrase “young trees” to highlight symbols of youth. The word “sprinting”
conveys the energy and vitality of youth which is sharply contrasted with the inactivity of the dozing
 mother. The swift backward movement signifies the passage of time which leads the mother closer
to death.

8. Why does the poet use the image of merry children?

Ans. The speaker refers to the merry children spilling out of their homes to convey the unrestrained
joy with which young children celebrate life. This is in sharp contrast to the mother who closes her
eyes to the life passing by outside the car. The word “spilling “ is a deliberate use to convey the
unfettered and uncontainable energy of childhood.

9. How has the poet used the poem itself as a metaphor?

Ans. The poem illustrates a journey by two people ending in a farewell. This is a metaphor for the
journey of life which commences and continues in the company of others but has its inevitable
culmination in the final separation due to death.

KEEPING QUIET

1. What will counting up to twelve and keeping quiet help humans achieve?

Ans. Counting to twelve will provide an interval to reconsider, to pause and to introspect. To cease
activity is to cease violence because it is due to mindless activity that violence ensues – violence
against the environment, and against one another. When there is stillness human beings can
achieve peace and understanding.

2. Does the poet advocate total inactivity? What is his intended message?

Ans. The poet is opposed to inactivity and lethargy as they imply death. What he advocates is true
life through peaceful co-existence. He emphasizes that he is against the negative connotation of
complete inactivity and disassociates himself from any idea of death.

3. What is the sadness referred to by the poet?

Ans. The poet considers peaceful silence as a remedy for the sadness that envelops all humanity.
Lack of awareness and understanding of oneself leads to misunderstandings with others , which
eventually lead to the threat of annihilation of life. This constant threat looms perpetually over
humanity and is the cause the sadness that pervades mankind.

4. What symbol from nature does the poet invoke to convey the rejuvenation of life after apparent
stillness?

Ans. The poet considers instances from nature to illustrate that the temporary ceasing of activity
results in renewed vigour when life resumes its normal pace. A seed appears dead but contains the
essence of life which is revived when provided the right environment. During winter life ceases all
activity and pauses temporarily but with the onset of spring life is renewed afresh. Similarly, after
the stillness of night life awakens with dawn.

5. Why has the poet used the number twelve to count to as the duration of keeping silent?

Ans. The number twelve symbolizes the divisions of time in which man has imprisoned his life. The
rigorous pursuit of goals within stipulated time – frames have created tensions and worries. As
opposed to this mindless activity the poet advises man to pause for an interval that would symbolize
the hours of work man spends without consideration of self or others.

6. Why does the poet advise against the use of languages?

Ans. Language can be a divisive factor which creates barriers among people. Rather tha being a
communicative tool that unifies, it often generates misunderstandings that result in strifes and
wars. Silence can bring about a universal feeling of unity and oneness , thus generating peace and
understanding.

7. Why does the poet refer to engines?

Ans. Modern life is dominated by the use of machines which render man inhumane. The rampant
use of machines has made humans mechanical in their relationships. When there is a temporary
silence, without the harsh noise of engines, the unusual quiet would bring about unity in mankind.

8. Explain the image of the fisherman.

Ans. The fisherman symbolizes the harsh conditions under which humans force themselves to work
in the pursuit of pre determined goals. In the process they also harm nature which is symbolized by
the whales which are under the threat of extinction. The poet here attempts to bring peace
between man and the environment which he is constantly at war with in his relentless march
forward.

9. Explain the image of the man gathering salt.

Ans. The man gathering salt is symbolic of humans constantly striving to achieve unattainable goals,
unmindful of the fact that they are inflicting tremendous harm on themselves. A moment of
quietude would help them introspect and reconsider this self – inflicted violence and perhaps find a
way to protect themselves.

10. Why does the poet decide to leave after advising the readers to continue with their silence?

Ans. The poet visualizes himself in the role of a guide whose duty it is to show the rest of humanity
the path to peaceful co – existence. Once he has fulfilled his task he leaves it to the readers to follow
his advice as his role is no longer pertinent.

11. What is the difference between the initial lines of the poem and the culminating lines?
Ans. The first two lines is a plea to mankind to maintain silence, to cease activity and to introspect.
The last two lines are a statement of parting as his role as a guide is over and he leaves it to people
to follow his advice.

A THING OF BEAUTY

1. What is Keats’ concept of beauty according to the poem?

Ans. Beauty, as depicted in the poem. Is found in things and experiences that bring us peace and
contentment , even long after the initial experience of joy. Man uses beauty to bind himself to
earthly life, despite its overwhelming miseries and sorrows.

2. What , according to Keats, is the purpose of beauty?

Ans. According to Keats, Beautiful things are gifts bestowed on human beings from heaven to
help cope with life’s adversities. Without beauty man would be unable to face a new day after
undergoing painful experiences.

3. How does Keats convey the effect of beauty on mankind?

Ans. Keats uses the image of a peaceful and quiet bower to convey that beauty would give all
human beings peace and contentment equivalent to a bower that would shelter one from the
harsh heat of adversities. Similarly. The effect of beauty would be as calming and elevating as a
sleep full of sweet dreams that is enjoyed by a person who is healthy, has no worries and has a
content life. Beauty removes the cover of darkness from our spirits. It is similar to imbibing the
elixir of life because of the everlasting joy it gives.

4. Explain why beauty is an everlasting joy and how its loveliness increases.

Ans. Beauty is a source of everlasting joy as it continues to influence our lives long after it is
experienced. With the passage of time the memories of the pleasure beauty evokes increases in
value and continues to give peace and contentment.

5. Explain the line. “Therefore on every morrow… earth”.

Ans. According to the poet, life is rendered dark and miserable due to ill health, sorrows and
difficulties and man would be unable to face a new day after having experienced such miseries.
To enable man to face every new day nature has bestowed bounteous gifts of beauty which
remain embedded in the sub conscious level. These things of beauty are compared to flowers
that man consciously collects and wreathes into bands that fasten him to this earth. Thus man
looks forward to living life despite all its attendant miseries.

6. What does Keats imply by the searchin g of mankind?

Ans. According to Keats, man’s life is a continuous and unending quest for happiness and
contentment. Man is never content as the achievement of every goal is followed immediately by
the strife to achieve new goals. The journey through life towards an attainable end is strewn
with difficulties and ill health, which has rendered it full of darkness.

7. How are rills presented in the poem?

Ans. Keats personifies the clear streams one would chance upon in the midst of trees, as
conscious beings seeking secret hiding places to shield themselves from the harsh heat of the
hot season. It also symbolizes man seeking shelter from the difficulties in life.

8. Why is grandeur associated with death?

Ans. Keats has included death as one of the most beautiful things man can draw inspiration
from. Instead of a negative representation of death, Keats has focused on death granting
immortality on those whose lives have been inspirational and as a consequence, whose deaths
have also inspired mankind through successive generations. Thus death becomes grand.

9. How has Keats depicted heaven’s magnanimity towards man?

Ans. Man is in dire need of sustenance as life, according to Keats, is darkened with untold
miseries. This sustenance is gifted by heaven in unending continuity. This is depicted by the poet
through the image of an endless fountain of beauty that flows down on to earth from the edge
of heaven. The fountain is said to be that of an immortal drink because beauty once experienced
is not nullified, but continues to grant one joy and its value increases with time. Thus, its effect is
immortal.

AUNT JENNIFER’S TIGERS

1. Why has Aunt Jennifer chosen to embroider tigers?

Ans. Aunt Jennifer is a docile , submissive housewife who lives in abject fear of her dominating
husband. By depicting her creation as powerful, confident, fearless beings she is attempting to
realize her desire to possess these qualities. On the other hand these are the qualities possessed
by the man dominating her and the tigers symbolize the man. Moreover she obviously envies
the men who possess these traits

2. Inferences of words :
a. Prance - the energy, vitality, exuberance and confidence of the tigers that contrast with
the slow, fluttering movement of Aunt Jennifer and the passive image of the hands lying
still.
b. Bright topaz : the brightness convey the overpowering presence of the tigers . The
brilliant topaz hue is a stark contrast to the green background which is the habitat of the
 tigers. They obviously reign supreme in that environment. The passive Aunt is
suppressed in her environment.
c. Denizens : The word denotes that the tigers are the inhabitants of the world of green
which they rule. They are the masters of their world. The tigers are confident of their
power in their home while Aunt Jennifer is enslaved in her own home and lives in terror.
d. Pace : the word conveys the lack of any fear in the tigers even in the presence of
hunters who could destroy them. They do not flee in the face of danger but challenge
the authority of the men in their world.
e. Sleek : the tigers are elegant and beautiful . The Aunt , by contrast , appears dull and
uninteresting.
f. Chivalric : the word is exclusively used in relation to men. Chivalry is generally
considered a noble trait but there is a negative connotation to the concept. It assumes
women to be weak and inferior. This word conveys that the tigers are depicted to
symbolize men.
g. Certainty : The confidence of the tigers contrasts with the uncertain fluttering of Aunt
Jennifer’s fingers.
h. Ivory needle : Aunt Jennifer is so fragile and weak that even something as delicate as an
ivory needle is difficult for her to handle.
i. Wedding Band : the ring that is a symbol of marriage is symbolic of slavery as it binds a
person to the relationship . Aunt Jennifer is bound just as a slave would be.
j. Massive Weight : the phrase conveys the immense weight of the suppression undergone
by Aunt in her marriage. She is burdened by the relationship and by the heavy
responsibilities of her married life
k. Ringed : The ring is a symbol of marriage or a relationship . From a negative perspective
it is a shape that denotes eternal entrapment. Aunt Jennifer is trapped in a world full of
the ordeals of the responsibilities of her married life.
l. Mastered : Aunt Jennifer was ruled by the man in her life, her husband. The word
implies that the relationship was an unequal one – that of a master and slave.

3. What will be the attitude of the tigers when Aunt is dead?

Ans. The poet draws attention to the irony in the fact that when the creator dies her creation
will carry on with life, unaffected. This conveys the callous and unconcerned cruelty of men who
remain unaffected by the fate of the life – givers , that is women.

4. Why is Aunt Jennifer referred to merely as Aunt and not Aunt Jennifer as in the previous
stanzas?

Ans . The poet conveys that with death the woman will lose her identity as an individual. Her
identity is linked with her husband’s. She will only be remembered as his wife, that is, Uncle’s
wife, Aunt.

5. Why does Aunt Jennifer use a tapestry as a medium to express herself?

Ans. Aunt has been suppressed to such an extent that she is afraid to express herself verbally ,
she has no voice. Women are confined to perform acceptable household chores like
embroidery. Therefore, she uses the medium that is accessible to her to vent her true emotions.