English Project: My Mother at Sixty-Six
Index
1. Title Page
2. About the Poet
3. Theme and Moral
4. Character Sketch
5. Summary
6. Poetic Devices
7. Vocabulary
8. Bibliography
Title Page
Project Title: My Mother at Sixty-Six
Student Name: [Your Name]
Class: XII
Roll Number: [Your Roll No.]
Subject: English Core
School Name: [Your School's Name]
Submitted to: [Teacher's Name]
Date of Submission: [Insert Date]
About the Poet
Kamala Das (1934-2009) was a renowned Indian poet who wrote in both English and Malayalam. Her poetry
is deeply personal, often exploring themes of love, loss, womanhood, and aging. Known for her honesty and
bold style, she is considered one of the most influential Indian women poets. "My Mother at Sixty-Six" is one
of her most celebrated poems from the collection *My Story*.
Theme and Moral
Theme:
The central theme of the poem is aging and the fear of loss. Kamala Das expresses the emotional pain she
English Project: My Mother at Sixty-Six
feels while watching her mother grow old and frail, realizing the reality of human mortality.
Moral:
The poem teaches us to cherish our loved ones and accept the inevitable cycle of life. It also reflects the
unspoken bond and silent sorrow of a daughter watching her mother age.
Character Sketch
Mother:
- Aged around sixty-six
- Pale, weak, and dozing in the car
- Symbol of approaching death and fragility
- Represents the inevitable phase of life: old age
Daughter (Poet):
- Sensitive and observant
- Deeply emotional but hides her sorrow
- Expresses her love and fear through silence
- Represents youth and the pain of separation
Summary
In the poem *My Mother at Sixty-Six*, Kamala Das describes a personal moment as she travels with her
mother. She notices her mother looking weak, pale, and lifeless-almost like a corpse. This brings a wave of
sadness and fear of losing her. To distract herself from the painful thoughts of mortality, the poet looks
outside at the young trees and children playing, symbolizing life and energy. However, the thought of her
mother's aging continues to haunt her. As she bids goodbye at the airport, she forces a smile, trying to hide
her fear and grief. The poem ends on a note of silent acceptance, as she whispers "see you soon, Amma,"
though her heart is filled with fear of a possible final goodbye.
Poetic Devices
English Project: My Mother at Sixty-Six
1. Simile - "her face ashen like that of a corpse"
2. Imagery - Visual descriptions of the mother, trees sprinting, and children spilling out
3. Personification - "Trees sprinting" (trees appear to run as the car moves)
4. Alliteration - "I looked again at her"
5. Contrast - Between aging mother and energetic children
6. Repetition - "Smile and smile and smile..." to emphasize forced positivity and sorrow
Vocabulary
Ashen - Pale or gray
Corpse - Dead body
Sprinting - Running fast
Doze - Light sleep
Wan - Pale, weak
Glance - Quick look
Recede - To move away
Realisation - Awareness
Ache - A dull pain
Smile - Expression of joy or sadness
Bibliography
- Flamingo English Textbook - CBSE Class 12
- Online notes from CBSEacademic.nic.in
- Poem by Kamala Das
- Sample project paper shared by teacher
- Personal understanding and interpretation
