MY MOTHER AT

SIXTY-SIX
ABOUT THE POET- Kamala Das

● Born in Malabar, Kerala in 1934, widely regarded as one of India's most prominent poets.

● Known for her unique voice, versatility, and the use of local themes in her work.

● Published many novels and short stories in English and Malayalam under the name ‘Madhavikutty’.

● Das has authored a number of novels and short stories in both English and Malayalam. Among her
English works are the novel "Alphabet of Lust" (1977), the collection of short stories "Padmavati the
Harlot and Other Stories" (1992), and 5 volumes of poetry.

● With a lyrical style, Das portrays the complications of human relationships with a understanding, as
exemplified in her work "My Mother at Sixty-six.
THE POEM
 Doze: a short, light sleep

Ashen: very pale, like ash.

Corpse: a dead body.

Sprinting: here, shooting out of the

KEYWORDS ground.

Spilling: here, to move out in great

numbers.

Wan: unnaturally pale, as from physical

or emotional distress.

Ache: pain.
EXPLANATION

At the start of the journey to Cochin airport, the poet closely observes her elderly mother
who sits beside her and describes her appearance.

The poet compares her mother's face to that of a corpse, as it appears pale and lifeless,
which fills the poet with fear and the pain of potential loss (simile).

The poet, who clearly has a deep affection for her mother, tries to get rid of of her negative
emotions by looking outside the car window, where she is met with a scene of growing life
and energy.

The fast sprinting trees and the children happily playing represent the vitality, joy and
energy of life.
EXPLANATION
This reminds the poet of her own youth and the realization that her mother was once as
young as she is now.

However, with her mother's old age comes the fear of losing her, leaving the poet feeling
insecure. Overall, the poem highlights the deep love and attachment between a mother and
daughter, and the inevitability of aging and the emotions that come with it.

Upon arriving at the airport to catch her flight, the poet experiences the sadness of
departure and separation.

As she bids farewell to her mother, she is struck by the image of her elderly mother in the
twilight of her life.
EXPLANATION
The poet once again uses a simile, comparing her mother to a late-night winter moon,
whose light is obscured by the fog and haze. This further emphasizes the old age and
weakness of the mother, and makes poet sad.

The poet is sad and cries uncontrollably as she realizes her mother could die unexpectedly
due to old age.

Despite this, she tries to remain strong and hide her tears, putting on a brave face and
smiling as she bids her mother farewell.

She reassures her mother with the words "see you soon, Amma", maintaining hope that she
will see her again. The poet is careful not to make her mother cry, as she wants her to be
happy and enjoy her life, just as she does.
POETIC DEVICES
● Simile: The poem uses similes to compare the poet's mother to different things, such as a
corpse and a late-night moon. These comparisons help to illustrate the mother's delicate and
old age, as well as the poet's emotional state.

● Imagery: The poem employs vivid imagery to create a picture in the reader's mind, such as
the image of the trees and children outside the car window symbolizing life and vitality. This
helps to convey the emotions and themes of the poem.

● Repetition: The phrase "I do not know" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the
poet's confusion and emotional turmoil.

● Symbolism: The image of the trees and children outside the car window is symbolic of life
and youth, contrasting with the image of the mother's advanced age and frailty.
POETIC DEVICES
● Tone: The poem has a melancholic and emotional tone, reflecting the poet's feelings of
sadness and anxiety about her mother's advanced age.

● Metaphor: The poet uses a metaphor to describe her mother's face as "a late-night moon."
This metaphor helps to emphasize the mother's advanced age and the poet's feelings of
sadness.

● Alliteration: The poem uses alliteration, such as in the phrase "dozing face and the drowsy
dark" to create a musical quality and add emphasis to certain words and phrases.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
● What did Kamala Das think when she looked at her mother?

● In the last line of the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty-six’, why does
the poet use the word ‘smile’ repeatedly?

● Having looked at her mother, why does Kamala Das look at the
young children?
KEEPING QUIET
ABOUT THE POET- Pablo Neruda

● Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto, who went by the pen name Pablo Neruda, was
born in Parral, Chile in 1904.

● Known for his poetry filled with accessible and beautiful imagery, he was
awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971.

● In "Keeping Quiet," Neruda explores the importance of introspection and

developing a sense of shared understanding among people.
THE POEM
 Keep Still- Stay motionless

Exotic: Unique

Inactivity: Motionless

KEYWORDS
EXPLANATION

In his poem, the poet suggests that everyone should silently count up to twelve,
representing the hours or months, to create a sense of calm and stillness.

He asks that people from different nations should come together and communicate through
the language of silence, instead of their own languages, in order to promote unity among all
humans on Earth.

For a brief moment, he urges people to no make any physical gestures that may signal
conflict or disagreement.

The poet imagines a peaceful & unusual environment where people are not in a hurry and
no engines are running.
EXPLANATION

In this calm setting, people are united in silence and there is no harm being inflicted upon
any living being for sustenance or work.

This moment of stillness provides people with an opportunity to reflect on the toll their
work has taken on their bodies.

The individuals who engage in the exploitation of nature's resources through activities such
as deforestation, mining, and deep-sea fishing, as well as soldiers who use weapons to
harm others, require a moment to reflect on the impact of their actions.

Often, they are just performing their duties or following commands.

EXPLANATION
The speaker encourages a new mindset and a shift in perspective by using the metaphor of
"new clothes".

He urges people to recognize that causing harm to others is not a victory and emphasizes
the importance of unity and brotherhood.

The overall message is one of promoting peace and harmony, and the speaker encourages
self-reflection in order to assess the impact of one's actions.

All individuals fight continuously to finish their tasks, motivated by the need for survival
and the fear of death.

This drive causes them to hurry through life, attempting to accomplish everything on their
to-do list.
EXPLANATION
The poet proposes that taking a pause may allow them to appreciate their accomplishments
and live a happier life.

He believes that through silence, we can discover the true meaning of our existence.

The poet draws a comparison between the cyclical changes of the seasons and the
potential for personal transformation through self-reflection.

Just as the Earth goes through phases with each seasonal change, taking a moment to
reflect on our lives can also bring about a new understanding of our purpose and a renewed
sense of being. The poet reiterates his message by encouraging people to pause, count to
twelve, and leave the scene open for others to experience this transformation in the future.
POETIC DEVICES

● Repetition: The poem uses repetition to emphasize the importance of silence and
contemplation. The phrase "If we were to" is repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense
of unity and collective action.

● Imagery: The poem employs vivid imagery to create a picture in the reader's mind, such as
the image of "green branches" and "golden bees" to represent the natural world. This helps
to convey the emotions and themes of the poem.

● Metaphor: The poet uses a metaphor to describe the act of "keeping quiet" as a form of
"drowning sadness" and "exile." This metaphor helps to emphasize the transformative power
of silence.
POETIC DEVICES
● Personification: The poem uses personification to describe the "fingers" of the participants
in the exercise as "ten new buds" and the act of coming out of silence as a "returning to life."
This personification helps to create a sense of renewal and growth.

● Symbolism: The image of the circle is symbolic of unity and community. This helps to
emphasize the idea that silence can bring people together.

● Allusion: The poem makes an allusion to the biblical story of the Tower of Babel, which tells
of the confusion that arose when people spoke different languages. This allusion helps to
emphasize the idea that silence can be a unifying force.

● Enjambment: The poem employs enjambment, which is the continuation of a sentence from
one line to the next, to create a sense of flow and unity in the poem.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
● Why does Pablo Neruda want us to count till twelve and keep
still?

● How is total inactivity on the Earth in the winter months full of

life?

● Life is what it is all about;…’ How is keeping quiet related to life?

● How does stopping for a second help us, according to the poet,
Pablo Neruda?
A THING OF BEAUTY
ABOUT THE POET- John Keats
● Well-known Romantic poet from Britain who, despite being trained as a surgeon,
decided to devote himself fully to poetry.

● Had a talent for seeing the world & expressing his moods and aspirations
through language, which was the source of his power to captivate and delight
readers. The excerpt presented is from his poem, "Endymion: A Poetic
Romance," which is based on a Greek legend about a young and handsome
shepherd-poet named Endymion, who lived on Mount Latmos and had a vision of
Cynthia, the Moon Goddess.

● Endymion was enchanted and set out on a journey to find her, wandering through
the forest and even beneath the sea.
THE POEM
 Bower: corner of garden

Wreathing: Twisting / coiling

Despondence:Rejection

Dearth: Lack/ scarcity

KEYWORDS Gloomy: Sad/ dull

Rills: Small stream

Grandeur: Impressive

Brink: Edge

Covert: Hideout
EXPLANATION

Keats begins the poem by expressing that a beautiful object brings joy that lasts forever.

He goes on to describe how the beauty of such an object never fades away but rather grows
over time.

The poet then compares a thing of beauty to a leafy, shaded sanctuary that invites everyone
to fall into a peaceful sleep full of pleasant dreams and promotes good health and
calmness.
EXPLANATION
The poet emphasizes the importance of natural beauty and its impact on human life.

He suggests that the absence of natural beauty would make the earth a gloomy and depressing
place, trapping people in misery without any hope of escape.

Human life is often full of challenges and difficulties that cast a dark shadow over their lives.

The only way to dispel this darkness is through the beauty of nature that surrounds them. The
beauty of nature is like a light that inspires the human spirit and brings joy and happiness to their
lives.

Humans also engage with nature by creating beautiful things using flowers and leaves, which fill
them with joy and keep them down to the earth, even after experiencing the hardships of life.
EXPLANATION
The poet highlights the beauty of nature, specifically mentioning the sun, moon, trees, daffodils,
and streams of water.

By doing so, the poet emphasizes that all living beings are fortunate to have these natural
blessings and encourages gratitude for them. The poet also uses sheep to represent the innocent
nature of humans who find comfort in nature and are able to overcome their sorrows.
EXPLANATION
The poet continues to describe the beauty of other natural elements such as the lovely-smelling
fair-musk roses that spread their wonderful fragrance in the air.

Additionally, the poet celebrates the beauty of the martyr's sacrifice, who gave up their lives for
the betterment of humanity. These stories of sacrifice are also regarded as beautiful by the poet.

The poet's remarkable skill is evident in the concluding lines of the poem, where he suggests that
if people observe the numerous blessings bestowed upon them by the divine, they will feel as
though they are receiving an endless stream of blessings from heaven.
POETIC DEVICES
● Alliteration: the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close to one another. For
example, "full many a flower is born to blush" and "Shield her from the ills of life."

● Assonance: the repetition of vowel sounds within words close to one another. For example,
"like the morn" and "wild ecstasy."

● Personification: giving human qualities to non-human things. For example, "joy whose hand
is ever at his lips" and "beauty making beautiful old rhyme."

● Metaphor: a comparison between two things without using "like" or "as." For example, "A
thing of beauty is a joy forever" and "pleasure is a butterfly."
POETIC DEVICES
● Simile: a comparison between two things using "like" or "as." For example, "like the sun"
and "like a rose."

● Imagery: "the moon, the glory of the stars, and the sun" and "roses, musk-rose and
eglantine."

● Hyperbole: For example, "endless fountain of immortal drink" and "never canst thou kiss."

● Repetition: For example, "joy" and "beauty."

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
● Mention two things of beauty that Keats refers to in his poem.
How do they influence us?

● In the hot season, how do man and beast get comfort?

● What makes human beings love life in spite of all the troubles
they face?

● According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence over

our dark spirits? How is it removed?
A ROADSIDE STAND
ABOUT THE POET- Robert Frost
● Well-known Romantic poet from Britain who, despite being trained as a surgeon,
decided to devote himself fully to poetry.

● Had a talent for seeing the world & expressing his moods and aspirations
through language, which was the source of his power to captivate and delight
readers. The excerpt presented is from his poem, "Endymion: A Poetic
Romance," which is based on a Greek legend about a young and handsome
shepherd-poet named Endymion, who lived on Mount Latmos and had a vision of
Cynthia, the Moon Goddess.

● Endymion was enchanted and set out on a journey to find her, wandering through
the forest and even beneath the sea.
THE POEM
 A dole of bread: money or food given in
charity at regular intervals

Marred: spoiled

Greedy good doers: the people who help

others for their own benefit

KEYWORDS Selfish cars: people who travel by cars

and do not purchase anything from
farmers

The voice of the country: people as a

whole

Come back into the sane: become aware

EXPLANATION

There was a tiny house with a newly constructed shed beside it.

The road was filled with busy traffic, cars and other vehicles moving. The shed was built to
showcase items for sale, and the owner hoped that passing vehicles would stop to either
purchase or at least glance at them.

The shed's appearance evoked a sense of sympathy, as it displayed the owner's despair to
make some money.

The owner didn't request any favors or food from the city folks, but simply desired some
cash since money's circulation benefits everyone.
EXPLANATION
Similar to how city folks use their money to lead better lives, if it flows from their pockets to
the shed owner's pockets, it will benefit his life as well.

The passing cars were glossy and sleek, yet they paid no attention to the shed. They only
had their destination in mind.

If by chance they did stop at the shed, they merely complained that the rundown
appearance of the huts and sheds in the area had ruined the landscape's beauty.

the poet notes that due to the poor state of those living in the sheds, their environment is
not well-maintained. The signposts indicating the north and south are misdirecting.

The sheds have a display of produce for sale, including wild berries and golden squash
with silver marks in wooden baskets.
EXPLANATION
Despite the rundown appearance of the area, it is still a beautiful place where people can
stop and appreciate the mountain landscape.

If visitors have the means, they should consider purchasing something, but if they are
self-centered, they should keep their money and not stop.

The poet does not criticize that the sheds have reduced the beauty of the scenery.

The poet expresses more concern for the shed-owners' sorrow than the impact on the
landscape. He believes that these individuals yearn for access to city money, which, as
seen in films, can alleviate their suffering.

The political party in power is responsible for depriving them of a happy life.
EXPLANATION
The poet refer news indicating the relocation of impoverished villagers near shops and
theaters with promises of good care.

However, the government officials neglected these promises.

The poet is outraged at this behavior and labels them as "greedy do-gooders." He refers to
them as "predatory beasts" who exploit the impoverished villagers.

The villagers suffer a significant loss as they are forced to relinquish their land. The civic
authorities are successful in cheating these villagers, promising them a better life and
peaceful sleep.

However, it is these same authorities who rest peacefully while causing misery in the lives
of the villagers.
EXPLANATION
In the past, working during the day and sleeping at night was the trend, but now the villagers are
unable to sleep at night.

The poet expresses his sorrow as he describes the shed owners' unending wait for buyers.

The atmosphere is filled with a sense of isolation.

Occasionally, a passing car stops, but only to inquire about the farmer's prices. Others stop
merely to use the restroom. One car even stops for a gallon of gas, highlighting the divide
between urban and rural life.

The poet is sad that there isn't enough money in the countryside. When people don't have money,
they feel bad. The villagers there complain about not having enough money, and the poet feels
sorry for them. He wishes he could help them all at once, but he knows it's impossible.
POETIC DEVICES
● Transferred epithet: polished traffic (the traffic is not polished, people are polished); Selfish
cars

● Metaphor/ figurative speech- the flower of cities from sinking and withering faint; Swarm over
their lives; Teaching them to sleep they sleep all day

● Oxymoron and Alliteration- Greedy good doers; beneficent beasts of prey

● Alliteration: A roadside stand that too pathetically pled(also alliteration)

● Personification: Describe the roadside stand. The stand is given human-like qualities
through the use of the word "plead" to convey its pitiful appearance.
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
● What does Frost himself feel about the roadside stand?

● What news in the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ is making its round in

the village?

● What is the ‘childish longing’ of the folk who had put up the
roadside stand? Why is it ‘in vain’?

● Why does Robert Frost sympathise with the rural poor?

AUNT JENNIFER’S
TIGER
ABOUT THE POET- Adrienne Rich
● Adrienne Rich was an American poet and theorist born in Baltimore, Maryland in
1929.

● She played an active role in the women's movement and authored 19 poetry
collections, three essay collections, and other writings.

● Her works often reflect her strong opposition to racism and militarism.

● In her poem "Aunt Jennifer's Tigers," Rich explores the limitations that women
experience in married life.
THE POEM
 Prance: Dance, leap

Denizen: Residents

Sleek: elegant

Chivalric: Gallantry

KEYWORDS Ordeals: Test, Trial

Fluttering: Flap, Ripple

Topaz: A precious stone

EXPLANATION

The poem talks about a woman called Aunt Jennifer who is embroidering a piece of cloth
with tigers on it. The tigers are described as fierce and beautiful, and the poet compares
their yellow color to a gemstone.

But Aunt Jennifer is scared of her husband.

The contrast between the tigers and Aunt Jennifer shows how different they are. The tigers
are strong and confident, while Aunt Jennifer is scared and controlled by her husband.

The poet believes that tigers are brave and proud animals that live in the forest, and she
admires their elegance and shiny appearance.
EXPLANATION

The poet talks about how Aunt Jennifer is afraid of her husband while doing embroidery.
She shakes with fear because her husband does not approve of her hobby.

This makes it hard for her to pull the needle up and down.

The poet also mentions Aunt Jennifer's wedding ring which her husband gave her on their
wedding day.

Aunt Jennifer sees this ring as a burden to wear.

EXPLANATION

She doesn't like her wedding ring because her husband has been very cruel to her, making
it feel like a burden instead of a precious gift.

The difficulties she has faced in her marriage have made the small ring feel heavy and hard
to wear on her trembling fingers.

The ring is a reminder of the bad experiences she has had with her abusive husband, and it
shows how he dominates and controls her.

In the final part of the poem, the poet says that Aunt Jennifer's embroidery of the tigers
shows her longing for freedom and fearlessness.
EXPLANATION
However, the poet believes that she won't be able to achieve this freedom in her lifetime.
Only after her death will she be free from her husband's control.

But the sad part is that even in death, she will still be tied to her husband through the
wedding ring.

The ring is a reminder of the pain she endured from her husband. On the other hand, the
tigers Aunt Jennifer embroidered will always represent her desire for a fearless life.

They bravely and proudly roam on the piece of cloth, a symbol of her yearning for a life
without fear.
POETIC DEVICES
● Metaphor - The poet compared the yellow color of the tigers to a bright topaz gem.

● Alliteration - The "f" sound is repeated in the phrase "finger fluttering."

● Synecdoche - Aunt Jennifer's "terrified hands" represent her as a whole person who is
afraid.

● Imagery- "topaz," "ivory," and the "gold" of the wedding band to emphasize the theme of
beauty and value.

● Alliteration - The "p" sound is repeated in the phrase "prancing proud."

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
● What picture of male chauvinism (tyranny) do we find in the
poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’?

● Why does Aunt Jennifer create animals that are so different from
her own character?

● How does Aunt Jennifer express her bitterness and anger

against male dominance?

● What is the meaning of the phrase, ‘massive weight of uncle’s

wedding band’?