Opening Scene: "My Mother at Sixty-Six": by Kamala Das

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"My Mother at Sixty-Six": by Kamala Das

This poem is a poignant reflection on aging and the fear of loss, depicted through a
personal narrative involving the poet and her aging mother.

1. Opening Scene

The poem opens with the poet describing a scene where she is looking at her
mother, who is asleep beside her in a car. Her mother's face is compared to that of a
"late winter’s moon," suggesting that it is pale, wan, and lacks vitality. This
comparison sets the tone of the poem, highlighting themes of aging and decay.

2. Poet's Emotional Response

The poet is immediately filled with pain and fear upon observing her mother's aged
face. This reaction is indicative of her deep love and concern for her mother. The
fear of losing her mother to the inevitable march of time is a universal theme,
reflecting the poet's dread of separation and loss.

3. The Attempt to Comfort Herself

In an attempt to distract herself from these morbid thoughts, the poet looks out of the
window and observes the young trees sprinting and the children spilling out of their
homes. This contrast between the vitality of the outside world and the stillness of her
mother serves to heighten the poet's sense of impending loss. The outside world's
liveliness starkly contrasts with her mother's tranquility, reinforcing the cycle of life.

4. Arrival and Departure

As the poet arrives at the airport and goes through the security check, she is
preoccupied with the thought of leaving her mother. This moment of separation
symbolizes a larger, more permanent separation that awaits them in the future,
underscoring the poet's fear and emotional turmoil.
5. Final Goodbye

The poem culminates in the poet's farewell to her mother, where she musters a smile
and promises to see her soon. This is an attempt to provide reassurance, both to her
mother and herself, in the face of her inner turmoil and the fear of eventual loss.

6. Renewed Fear

Despite the temporary reassurance, as the poet looks at her mother once more, she
is confronted again with the fear of losing her. The comparison of her mother to the
"pale and late winter's moon" recurs, signifying that the poet's fear and pain are
cyclical, just like the phases of the moon.

7. Seeking Comfort in Imagination

In the closing lines, the poet contrasts the image of her aging mother with the young,
vibrant image of a tree in full bloom. This serves as a coping mechanism, offering a
glimmer of hope and continuity amidst the fear of loss. The poet finds solace in the
natural cycle of life, where new life emerges even as the old fades away.

Conclusion

"My Mother at Sixty-Six" is a profound exploration of the universal themes of aging,

loss, and the love between a daughter and her mother. Kamala Das uses vivid
imagery and contrasts to evoke the emotional landscape of facing one's parents'
mortality, making the poem resonate with readers who have experienced similar
fears and emotions. Through this poem, Das captures the complex interplay of love,
fear, and acceptance that characterizes the human experience.

-----Dr. Rajiv

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