Class 12th - English

Complete Flamingo Poems

by Palak Rakhyani
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Poem 1 : My Mother At Sixty-Six

● This is a heart-melting poem written by an Indian
poetess Kamala Das. In this poem, she describes
her feeling of love and attachment towards her
mother.
● Bond between daughter and mother
● Free Verse
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Summary
➔ Once after visiting her parent’s home in Cochin
the poet explains that when she was driving back
home her mother was sitting next to her and the
poet glanced at her.
➔ The poet uses the phrase last Friday morning in
order to tell that it is past now.
➔ The central theme is revealed in the very first line
itself.
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Summary
➔ In the second stanza, the poet compares her
mother’s miserable condition and compares her a
corpse.
➔ Her mother was dozing beside her with her
mouth open and her ash-like face was now pale
yellow due to old age.
➔ Age was not a number but a harsh reality to
accept so she quickly put the thought away by
looking outside the car window.
➔ The poet senses the fear of losing her mother.
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Summary
➔ The poet tries to explain that her mother has
turned old and grown.
➔ She put away this thought by looking at young
trees outside and children coming out of their
houses young and energetic.
➔ She remembers her young days when her mother
was youthful but now she is encircled in the fear
of losing her.
➔ After reaching the airport, at the security check
again she glanced at her mother to notice how
her mother had turned old and pale.
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Summary
➔ While at the security check again, gazing at her
she compares her mother with the late winter’s
moon which is not much radiant showing her
lifeless and dull.
➔ The thought reminded her of losing her; the same
thought haunts her in her happy days as a
preteen.
➔ Thus, the poet reveals that the fear of losing
someone is inevitable; it is not carried by old age
but remains even in our childhood.
➔ She did not want this fear on her face so she
smiled and smiled again hoping to see her again
even though she was in distress she kept a smile
on her face.
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Most Important PYQs

Q. The narrator is only using her smile to

(a) cover up her pain

(b) make herself happy

(c) to make her mother happy

(d) to make her father happy

 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Most Important PYQs

Read the extract given below and answer the
questions that follow.

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 ………

 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Most Important PYQs

Q. What was the poet’s childhood fear?

Ans. In her childhood, the poet was insecure about losing her mother, just
as all young children often are.

Q. What were the poet’s parting words?

Ans. The poet’s parting words were, “See you soon, Amma”, which are
suggestive of the hope that they will meet again.

Q. What is the poetic device used in these lines?

Ans. The poetic device used in these lines is simile, where the mother’s dull
and lifeless face is compared to a late winter’s moon.

Q. Why did the poet smile and smile?

Ans. The poet smiled and smiled (meaning that she smiled continuously)
because she was trying to hide her real feelings. She feared the fact that
she might not see her mother again, which left her almost in tears.
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Most Important PYQs

Q. Why has the mother been compared to ‘late winter’s moon’?

Ans. The poet’s mother’s vitality and radiance have begun to fade as she ages. The
poet compares her mother to a “late winter’s moon” to indicate her impending death.
Winter, as the year’s final season, is associated with lifelessness and dormancy. A
winter’s moon is also pale-white in color, resembling her mother, who, having lost all
her strength, appears ‘wan’ and ‘pale’ to the poet.

Q. A smile does not always indicate happiness.’ Does My Mother at Sixty-Six reflect
this statement? Justify your response with an example from the poem.(CBSE Sample
Paper 2022)

Ans. Throughout the stanza, ‘all I did was smile and smile and smile…’ the poet tries
to conceal her concern about her mother’s failing health. The poet smiled and smiled,
hoping to reassure herself that she would be able to see her mother again.
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Most Important PYQs

Q. What were the activities that the narrator saw outside the car
window?

Ans. The narrator noticed young trees speeding by, as if they were
sprinting or running fast. Children running out of their homes were seen
to be happy, enthusiastic, and energetic. They present an image of
youth and energy in contrast to the narrator’s mother’s lack of energy.

Q. Kamala Das speaks of ‘an old familiar ache…’ What do you think is
the reason for this feeling? (CBSE Sample Paper 2020)

Ans. Kamla Das’ mother is elderly and pale, and her health appears to
be failing. As a result, the poet experiences a familiar pain, which is one
of her constant fears of losing her mother. She recollects her childhood
fear of being separated from her mother.
 My Mother At Sixty-Six

Most Important PYQs

Q. Write a brief summary of the poem, ‘My Mother at Sixty Six’ by Kamala Das.
Ans. The poem begins with Kamala Das, the poet, is on her way to the airport in
Cochin, accompanied by her elderly mother. She suddenly realizes her mother has
grown old. Her face is ashen, as if she were a corpse. This thought disturbs her
because it reminds her of her mother’s impending death.

As a daughter, the thought of losing her mother disturbs her, and in order to
distract herself, she begins looking out the window at the trees that appear to be
sprinting as she drives a car. She also notices small children rushing out of their
homes to play outside. This brings back memories of her youth and [Link]
mother, on the other hand, is getting older. She has grown old and is nearing the
end of her life. This gives her a sense of insecurity. In contrast to the young
children and green trees, the mother has aged and become as pale as the winter
moon.

As she waves goodbye to her mother at the airport, the poet experiences the same
pain and fear she did as a child, but she masks her feelings with a smile that
assures her mother that she will return soon. So, even when the poet is terrified of
old age, her smile gives her mother hope of survival.
 Keeping Quiet

Poem 2 : Keeping Quiet

Poet : Pablo Neruda

● It was first written in Spanish, and the

emphasis of this poem is based on
introspection and retrospection. The poet
feels that some soul–searching is required
for us to be at peace with ourselves and
others.
● Free Verse
 Keeping Quiet

Summary
➔ The main idea focuses on peace and silence and
enduring humanity and brotherhood. The poet
expresses anger and at the same time, he is quiet
in himself speaking in a very calm fashion.

➔ He firmly believes in the idea of serenity and the

best way to is not an explosion of expressions but
wisdom.

➔ The poet wants the readers to focus on

introspection and retrospection to acquire the
intellect to understand the purpose of the world.
 Keeping Quiet

Summary
➔ The poet requests everyone to count up to twelve
and the number twelve represents 12 hours of
the clock or months of the year.
➔ And let there not be any rush for the engines to
be at a halt and machines must stop.
➔ He implored all of us not to speak and stop
moving our arms.
➔ ‘Arms’ here means both the hands and the
weapons used by different countries to fight.
➔ Therefore, he is demanding peace from all.
 Keeping Quiet

Summary
➔ The poet wants that fishermen should not harm
the whales and those men who are gathering salt
must take care of their hands.
➔ Everyone should keep calm and stand united with
each other, it will look strange as something like
this has never happened before.
➔ He further advised not to run after materialistic
things instead they should look at how much
damage they have caused.
 Keeping Quiet

Summary
➔ The poet wants us to introspect that how we have
destroyed our green cover by deforestation,
mining, or fishing to realize the aftermath of our
actions.
➔ He wants all the people to wear new clothes.
Here new clothes mean to follow a new approach
to realize that mass war and killing is not the
solution and will lead to no life on the earth.
➔ The poet wants us to follow the approach of
fraternity and unity. He does not say us to be halt
forever but to stop to introspect our actions.
 Keeping Quiet

Summary
➔ Now he clarifies to his readers that he doesn’t want to be a
passive person rather asks us that we should stop and look
at our deeds that what we have done to our earth by
running after greed and exploiting others.
➔
➔ Further, he wants us to remain in action but to focus on
the results as well and urges them to stop for a while to
relish what we have achieved so far. After that, he wants
us to take some time and look for the damages as well.
Some kind of melancholy surrounds us that we forget to
see what we have and in order to extinguish our thirst, we
are running and creating problems for humanity all over
the earth.
➔
 Keeping Quiet

Summary
➔ The poet wants all of us to a lesson from our creation as our
earth undergoes changes day by day in winter changes taking
place. So we need to take a pause and rethink so that
everything comes back to life like a reincarnation of one’s soul.

➔ The poet tries to convey the purpose of his message and asks
them once again to count up to twelve and move to the path of
peace and harmony. By giving an example of nature like trees,
birds, etc wants to say that humans should judge upon their
actions done to our creations. Finally, he ends up saying that
now he will count up to twelve so that we all may become quiet
and calm. After saying this he says ‘I will go’ because he wants
them to be left alone to retrospect on it and work in the
direction of peace.
 Keeping Quiet

Most Important PYQs

“Perhaps the Earth can teach us

as when everything seems dead

and later proves to be alive

Now I’ll count upto twelve

and you keep quiet and I will go.” (All India 2013)

Q. What does the Earth teach us?

Ans. The Earth teaches us how new life springs from dead remains,
and how there is life under apparent stillness.
 Keeping Quiet

Most Important PYQs

Q. What does the poet mean to achieve by counting up to twelve?

Ans. The poet wants to achieve peace by counting up to twelve. He

wants us to introspect in a moment of silence.

Q. What is the significance of ’keeping quiet’?

Ans. Keeping quiet doesn’t mean just not speaking. It means that
we should avoid all activities which hurt nature and, in turn, hurt us.

Q. What is always alive, even when everything seems to be dead?

Ans. The Earth is always alive, even when everything else seems to
be dead. There is always some activity going on in nature beneath
its apparent stillness.
 Keeping Quiet

Most Important PYQs

Why does the poet request people to keep quiet?

A) to maintain silence

B) to avoid noise

C) to be friendly

D) to become more thoughtful and peaceful

 Keeping Quiet

Most Important PYQs

Q. What is the sadness the poet refers to in the poem
‘Keeping Quiet’? (All India 2011, 2014)

Ans: The poet’s sadness in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ is the

sadness of never understanding oneself and nature.
Humans are frequently involved in a frenzy of activities
and have no time for introspection, threatening
themselves with death or destruction as a result. This
darkens their paths with distress and misery.
 Keeping Quiet

Most Important PYQs

Q. Justify the title ‘Keeping Quiet’.

Ans: The poem’s title is both appropriate and logical. It

implies the importance of quiet introspection. People all over
the world are hyperactive and constantly on the move. Their
actions have caused untold misery and suffering. According
to the poet, they will benefit greatly from remaining silent. It
will protect them from a variety of harmful and violent
activities. Furthermore, it will aid in reflecting on man’s fate
and creating a sense of mutual understanding among
humans.
 Keeping Quiet

Most Important PYQs

Q. Bring out the underlying message and appeal of Pablo Neruda’s poem
‘Keeping Quiet’. Why does he call upon all the people to keep quiet ?

Ans: Keeping Quiet is a poem with a historical significance. The poet

calls on all people around the world to observe a brief moment of
silence, to suspend all activities, to stand still, and to quietly reflect on
what they are doing to kill themselves. The poet discusses the need to
halt all war-related activities and attack animals for our personal gains.
The poet believes that it will be an odd experience for the people to be
free of tension and mad rush.” They will have time to get to know their
neighbors and their families’ needs. However, the poet is not advocating
for total inactivity. After all, life must go on in a quiet manner. Even
when everything in nature appears to be dead, the seeds of life
remain alive in the earth.
 A Thing of Beauty

Poem 3 : A Thing of Beauty

Poet : John Keats
● Rhyme Scheme : aabbc is followed in all the stanzas.

● The summary of the poem A thing of beauty is based on a Greek

legend where a young shepherd named Endymion had a vision
of the moon goddess, Cynthia. He made a commitment to go
after her and seek her. In his quest, he wanders into the woods
and under the sea.
 A Thing of Beauty

Summary
➔ Beauty stays forever and never fades away. It never goes off
with the passing time rather it increases and beautifies more
and more.

➔ Compares beauty with a shady place that gives us the comfort

to fall asleep and dream, quietly breathing will lead to good
health.

➔ According to the poet, the reason behind sadness and cruel

people is negativity all around, and to counter these we need to
enjoy each and every moment of our life because these
beautiful things bring positivity.
 A Thing of Beauty

Summary
➔ Beauty is all around us in earthly things, we just need the vision
to cherish those things.

➔ These are nature’s gifts like sun, moon, trees, etc providing us
with shade, beauty, and coolness and are considered a boon for
humanity.

➔ These are blessings that we need to cherish every moment to

keep away from the negative vibes.

➔ The poet carries forward his idea of gifts of nature present on

the earth, like beautiful musk of roses giving a nice and sweet
fragrance. Further describes the tales of the valiant comrades
who laid their lives for their nation or humanity. These beautiful
things are like nectar which are immortal and need to be
cherished in spite of having many sorrows in our life.
 A Thing of Beauty

Summary
➔ The poet urges us to see the immense reserve of beauty
around us.

➔ He calls it an ‘endless fountain of immortal drink’: ‘endless’

because sources of beauty are limitless and ‘immortal’ to
denote the effect of beauty on our minds.

➔ The memory of a beautiful experience is forever.

➔ It never dies. We are blessed to experience beauty in all

forms around us. A direct reference to ‘heaven’ has been
made to show that God has provided us with many sources
of beauty.
 A Thing of Beauty

Most Important PYQs

[Link] the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.

Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth

Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
 A Thing of Beauty

Most Important PYQs

(a) Name the poem and the poet.

(b) Why are we despondent?

(c) What removes “the pall from our dark spirits”?

(d) Explain, “the inhuman dearth of noble natures.”

 A Thing of Beauty

Most Important PYQs

a) The poem is ’A thing of Beauty’ and the poet is John Keats.

(b) Human life is full of trials and tribulations. We add to our

troubles and make our lives more difficult by following evil ways.
We hurt others as well as ourselves. This makes us despondent.

(c) The various objects of beauty around us remove the pall from
our dark spirits. Beautiful things have the power to make us happy.

(d) The poet here means that the world lacks in men of noble nature
or qualities. There are few people who are noble in character; most
of the people are self-centred and pursue evil ways.
 A Thing of Beauty

Most Important PYQs

Q. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal drink
and why does he call its drink immortal? (All India 2013)

Ans: Keats considers nature’s beauty as an endless fountain of

immortal drink. He calls this drink immortal as the pleasure and
delight given by it never passes into nothingness. It only increases
with time.

Q. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? (Delhi 2012)

Ans: A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it is a permanent

source of joy and inspiration and leaves a lasting impression on us.
The pleasure and happiness given by it never fades away but keeps
on increasing.
 A Thing of Beauty

Most Important PYQs

Q. ‘Beauty is best left undefined’. Support your position on this statement with
your rationale, coupled with ideas in the poem. (CBSE QB, 2021)

Answer: The poem, ‘A Thing of Beauty,’ by John Keats, conveys the message that
beauty is best left undefined, that beauty is everywhere, and that beauty is also
found upon examination. The theme of this work is primarily concerned with
nature. Keats describes the effects that beauty can have on a person. This beauty,
according to Keats, never fades and its impact is felt long after it is gone. Keats
emphasizes that beauty is “Made for our seeking,” implying that some people will
find beauty in places where others will not.

I do believe that beauty should be best left undefined. Since, the definition and
the form of beauty differs from person to person, i.e. It is subjective in nature,
making standards or norms for beauty would tarnish its real value and thus,
undermine its effects.

The theme of this poem is that beauty can be found anywhere and, when
appreciated, can be used to lift one’s spirits during difficult times.
 A Roadside Stand

Poem 4 : A Roadside Stand

● Poet : Robert Frost

● It is an account analyzing the widened gap between society

on the basis of rich and poor. It revolves around the
heartbreaking of how the development of cities has caused
despair
 A Roadside Stand

Summary
➔ The summary of the poem roadside stand deals with the
struggling and vulnerable lives of countryside people and how
the city dwellers don’t even pay any heed to their hapless
conditions.

➔ Further, the city dwellers don’t think about the struggles they
face while selling their goods. Robert frost shows a sympathetic
attitude towards these impoverished masses and feels
compassion for them.
 A Roadside Stand

Summary
➔ Frost asks people to help the individuals who work day and
night but they do not get anything in return.

➔ How it is tormenting and distressing to see the deprived people.

➔ City people don’t bother to help the people from the countryside
and are insensitive towards them. These people hope that the
city dwellers that pass by their shops will purchase their
products and help them by buying them.

➔ The passer-by instead whines about something or stops there

only to ask directions to a place.

➔ However, Robert Frost believes that there are people who

would work selflessly for the poor people and not exploit them.
He writes about how there are major differences between filthy
rich people and the underprivileged ones.
 A Roadside Stand

Summary

➔ Lastly, he says that the development of a nation can be

done by the proper and fair advancement of towns and
urban communities.
 A Roadside Stand

Most Important PYQs

“The little old house was out with a little new shed

In front at the edge of the road where the traffic sped,

A roadside stand that too pathetically pled,

It would not be fair to say for a dole of bread,

But for some of the money, the cash, whose flow supports

The flowers of cities from sinking and withering faint.” (2009

Outside Delhi, 2010 Compartment Delhi)
 A Roadside Stand
Most Important PYQs
Q. Where was the new shed put up? What was its purpose?

Ans. A little house at one side of the road was extended and a shed was added
to it to put up a road stand. It was set up to attract passersby to buy things
from them so that they could earn some money.

Q. Why does the poet use the word ‘pathetic’?

Ans. By using the word ‘pathetic’ the poet emphasizes on the fact that the
condition of the shed was most humble and that it presented a rather pitiable
sight.

Q. Explain: ‘too pathetically pled’.

Ans. It was as if by putting up the shed the owner was desperately pleading to
the rich city folks to stop by at his roadside stand and buy things from there so
that they could earn some extra money.

Q. Who are referred to as ‘the flower of cities’?

Ans. ‘The flower of the cities’ here refers to the rich and wealthy city-dwellers
who can afford the best things.
 A Roadside Stand

Most Important PYQs

Q. Why did a stopping car react?

A) to point out at the wrongly marked N and S directions

B) to buy some items

C) to appreciate their hard work

D) to soothe the villagers

 A Roadside Stand

Most Important PYQs

Q. What news in the poem ‘A Roadside Stand’ is making its round in
the village? (2013 Outside Delhi)

Ans: The news is spreading about the resettlement of poor, rural

people who will be relocated to villages near the theater and store.
They would be close to cities and would no longer have to worry
about themselves.
 A Roadside Stand

Most Important PYQs

Q. State any two characteristics that can be inferred about the
people from the countryside in The Roadside Stand.(CBSE Sample
Paper 2022)

Ans. Unlike the city dwellers, the people who run the roadside stand
are poor. As a result, they request city funds in order to live a happy
and prosperous life. They trust others very quickly. Trust is kept in
the promises made by the political parties but later, these powerful
people are proved to be beneficial beasts of prey and greedy
good-doers.
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Poem 5 : Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Poet : Adrienne Rich

A feminist who talks about a married woman and her

experiences of life living under the dominance of men.

She tries to explore her inner feelings who remains

submissive throughout life but wants to roam like a tiger
fearlessly.

Rhyme scheme : aabb followed in every stanza

 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Summary
➔ In the first stanza, the poet mentions a lady who while
doing embroidery on a piece of cloth lost in her
thought. She has made a beautiful tiger prancing in the
green forest. Moreover, she describes him with a bright
topaz because in the green background they appear
bright yellow.
➔ Comparison between aunty Jennifer and her tigers;
Tigers : Fearless and brave

Aunt : Fearful and scared

➔ She still remains under uncle’s command but the tigers

are proud citizens of the forest; shiny and graceful.
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Summary
➔ Aunt Jennifer’s fingers tremble with fear, fear from her
husband. She is pursuing her hobby in her free time but
still afraid Her fingers are now so tired and feel the
weight of the needle and cloth. After that, she mentions
the wedding ring by uncle which shows how she is
dependent on him.
➔ She feels a kind of burden to wear that band, the
weight of obligations of married life has stolen her
charm and happiness now she is worn out of age and
living a demanding life. This ring is connected to some
bad pasts she has faced from her married life.
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Summary
➔ The protagonist wishes to live her life like a tiger but
still has fear of her husband. The tiger symbolizes her
dreams to be free from a troubled life and the poet
stresses the fact that women need to acquire such
qualities that of a tiger prancing through the motif to
face male dominance.
➔ She is crushed down by fulfilling the responsibilities she
feels her ordeals will end upon her death and her
trembling fingers will come to rest.
➔ After her life, there is still life where she feels she will
be burdened by uncle’s wedding band. The band was a
testament to the torment she has faced in her married
life.
➔
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Most Important PYQs

[Link] go on prancing’ means the

a. spirit of freedom of the tigers will continue to exist

b. tigers will dance
c. tigers will kill
d. tigers will show tricks
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Most Important PYQs

Q. In the poem Aunt Jennifer's Tigers, what is the contrast
between the reality of Aunt's life and her imagination?

Ans. Aunt is timid, nervous, and living a fearful

existence/under male domination whereas the tigers are
bold, proud, fearless, and are prancing free/masters of
their kingdom.
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Most Important PYQs

Q. Why are Aunt Jennifer’s hands fluttering through her
wool? (Comptt. Delhi 2010)

Answer: Aunt Jennifer is a victim of gender oppression at

the hands of her husband. She lives a life of total
domination and constant fear. So she feels nervous and
terrified that the hands shake and flutter through her wool
as she sits down to knit.
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Most Important PYQs

Q. Describe the tigers created by Aunt Jennifer. (Comptt. All
India 2011)

Answer: The poet describes Aunt Jennifer’s tigers as ‘bright

topaz denizens’ of the forest. They are fearless and
ferocious in sharp contrast to their creator, Aunt Jennifer’s
nervousness and timidity. Gallant and confident, they are
sure of their purpose and move ahead undeterred by any
kind of hindrance or obstruction.
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Most Important PYQs

Q. What picture of male chauvinism (tyranny) do we find in
the poem, ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers’? (All India 2016)

Answer:

Aunt Jennifer faced great hardships in her married life. She

led a terrifying and oppressed life wherein she had never
been free but a helpless victim of male chauvinism.
Dominated and terrorised by her husband, Aunt Jennifer
struggled for an existence within the deep conflicts of
slavery.
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Most Important PYQs

Q. Read the extract given below and answer the questions
that follow: (All India 2017 )

Aunt Jennifer’s fingers fluttering through her wool

Find even the ivory needle hard to pull.
The massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band
Sits heavily upon Aunt Jennifer’s hand.

1. What is Aunt Jennifer doing with her wool?

2. Why does she find it difficult to pull her ivory needle?
3. What does ‘wedding band’ stand for ?
4. Describe the irony in the third line.
 Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers

Most Important PYQs

Answer:
1. Aunt Jennifer is embroidering the tigers on a panel with
her wool.
2. Suppressed under male domination, Aunt Jennifer has
become a nervous wreck. As a result, her fingers flutter and
she finds it difficult to pull her ivory needle.
3. ‘Wedding band’ is a symbol of male authority and power.
The band symbolizes her unhappy marriage, her husband
and the patriarchal society that limits the freedom of
women.
4. Even though Aunt Jennifer wears the wedding band, it is
ironical that the poet describes it as belonging to uncle.
Homework