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My Mother at Sixty-Six Poem Summary and Analysis

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Stanza-wise Summary and Main Message of My Mother at Sixty-Six

The My Mother at Sixty-Six Summary provides a touching glimpse into the emotional bond between a daughter and her aging mother. The poem, part of Class 12 English curriculum, explores themes of love, ageing, and separation. Through detailed imagery and relatable emotions, students are introduced to the poet’s reflections on mortality and the inevitable changes in family relationships.


My Mother at Sixty-six Summary in English

My Mother at Sixty-Six Summary revolves around the poet's journey from her parent’s home to Cochin Airport with her aging mother. The poet is deeply moved on noticing her mother’s pale and lifeless face, a stark contrast to the vibrant scenery outside. This contrast between youth and old age evokes memories and childhood fears within the poet, reflecting on the passage of time and life’s transience.


The poem shows the universal emotion of concern as the poet tries to overcome her sorrow, smiling and saying goodbye. Through simple but vivid images, the poet captures the fear of loss, highlighting the inevitable separation between generations. By observing nature's liveliness outside, she attempts to distract herself from thoughts of her mother’s mortality.


  1. The poem is a sensitive portrayal of a daughter’s love and anxiety for her aging mother.

  2. It deals with themes of separation, fear of loss, and the flow of time.

  3. The poet uses strong contrasts—youthful trees and children versus her frail mother—to express her feelings.

  4. The poem ends with hope, as the daughter wishes to see her mother again, hiding her pain with a smile.


Essay on My Mother

My Mother at Sixty-six Stanza-wise Summary

A stanza-wise summary of My Mother at Sixty-Six helps break down the poem for clear understanding. Each stanza reflects emotions, environment, and poetic devices. Students can relate to stanza meanings better when they are separated, making learning more effective and systematic.


Stanza Summary Key Emotion/Imagery
Stanza 1 The poet notices her mother’s weak, sleeping figure while driving to the airport. Worry; Pale, lifeless look
Stanza 2 The poet looks out to distract herself, describing lively trees and cheerful children outside. Contrast; Life vs. Aging
Stanza 3 At the airport after security, she again notices her mother’s faded face, compared to a winter moon. Sadness; Comparison to moon
Stanza 4 Despite her emotions, the poet smiles and says goodbye, wishing to meet her mother again. Hope; Loving farewell

This stanza-wise analysis provides clarity for students to prepare and write a short summary of My Mother at Sixty-Six or analyze its poetic devices.


Summary of My Mother at Sixty-six in 100 Words

The poem describes the poet’s feelings while she travels with her sixty-six-year-old mother to the Cochin airport. Noticing her mother’s pale, aging face makes her anxious about losing her. She distracts herself by watching lively scenes outside but, at the airport, is again struck by her mother’s frailty. Overwhelmed by sadness, she still manages a smile as she says goodbye, hoping to meet her mother again.


My Mother at Sixty-Six Short Summary

My Mother at Sixty-six Summary in Hindi

For students who require My Mother at Sixty-Six Summary in Hindi, a concise translation can provide support. The poet is deeply concerned about her aged mother’s health during a journey to the airport. Despite fears rooted in childhood, she hides her emotions with a smile, showing the universal pain of parting. This version helps Hindi-speaking learners relate closely to the poem’s central message.


My Mother at Sixty-Six in Hindi and English

Key Themes and Poetic Devices in My Mother at Sixty-six Poem Summary

Class 12 My Mother at Sixty-Six Summary focuses on themes such as aging, familial love, the circle of life, and coping with separation. The poet employs poetic devices like simile, transferred epithet, and imagery to enhance the emotional depth. Comparing her mother’s face to a “late winter’s moon” highlights loss of vitality and the fading cycle of life.


Important poetic devices include:

  1. Simile: Mother’s face is likened to a winter’s moon.

  2. Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the world outside the car, contrasting youth and age.

  3. Repetition: Amplifies the poet’s emotion.


Learn more about Literary Devices

How to Write the My Mother at Sixty-six Short Summary

My Mother at Sixty-Six Short Summary should cover the main events and emotions in a concise manner. Describe the poet’s journey, observation of her mother, strong contrasts with nature, and her heartfelt goodbye. Focus on core feelings: fear, love, separation, and hope. This structure is ideal for quick revision or short questions in examinations or assignments.


Tips for Writing a Good Summary

Related Topics and Further Learning

Explore more Class 12 English summaries like Keeping Quiet Summary, A Thing of Beauty Summary, and The Third Level Summary on Vedantu. Also, learn about related poetic terms, adjectives for mother, and English grammar concepts for stronger comprehension.


This page provides a comprehensive and relatable overview of "My Mother at Sixty-six," examining its deep emotional layers and literary techniques. Students enhance their appreciation for poetry while developing skills to write a summary of My Mother at Sixty-six confidently for academic purposes. Vedantu’s interconnected resources support holistic learning and exam readiness.

FAQs on My Mother at Sixty-Six Poem Summary and Analysis

1. What is the main idea of My Mother at Sixty-Six?

The main idea of ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’ is the poet’s emotional response to witnessing her mother’s aging and the fear of losing her.

  • It explores the universal feelings of love, separation, and mortality.
  • The poem stresses the deep bond between a mother and daughter as time passes.
  • It highlights the inevitability of aging and loss in family life.

2. What is the message of My Mother at Sixty-Six poem?

The message of the poem is to accept aging and cherish loved ones.

  • It encourages us to face the reality of old age and separation with courage.
  • The poem highlights the importance of expressing love and care before it’s too late.
  • It reminds us of the bittersweet nature of life where joy and sorrow exist together.

3. What does My Mother at Sixty Six symbolize?

‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’ uses powerful symbols to express deeper emotions.

  • The mother’s pale face symbolizes aging and the nearness of death.
  • The children playing and sprinting trees symbolize youth, energy, hope, and life’s continuity.
  • The poet’s smile at the end shows hope and courage despite sadness.

4. Who wrote the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’?

Kamala Das wrote the poem ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’.

  • She is a renowned Indian poet and author known for her emotional and honest writing.
  • This poem is part of the Class 12 English syllabus and is loved for its depth.

5. What poetic devices are used in My Mother at Sixty-Six?

The poem uses several poetic devices to enhance meaning and emotion.

  • Simile: “Face ashen like that of a corpse” (compares mother’s face to a corpse)
  • Metaphor: “Trees sprinting” (trees appear to move with the car)
  • Imagery: “Children spilling out of their homes” (creates a vivid scene)
  • Repetition: “Smile and smile and smile…” (emphasizes the emotional struggle)
  • Alliteration: “Pain and that familiar ache” (repetition of 'a' sound)

6. Can you provide a stanza-wise summary of My Mother at Sixty-Six?

Here is a stanza-wise summary of the poem for quick understanding:

  1. Stanza 1: The poet notices her mother dozing, her face pale like a corpse, filling her with pain about her mother’s age.
  2. Stanza 2: The poet sees children playing and trees sprinting outside, symbolizing youth and the flow of life.
  3. Stanza 3: At the airport, the poet is hesitant to part, feeling her childhood fear of losing her mother return.
  4. Stanza 4: Despite her sadness, the poet smiles to reassure her mother, masking her true feelings.

7. What is the significance of the title ‘My Mother at Sixty-Six’?

The title highlights the poet’s mother’s age, 66, symbolizing a stage of old age and vulnerability.

  • It shows the point where a parent’s aging becomes painfully real for a child.
  • This age is significant as it triggers the poet’s fears of separation and loss.

8. Why did the poet compare her mother’s face to a corpse?

The comparison emphasizes the mother’s frailty and shows the poet’s fear of losing her.

  • The mother’s ashen, lifeless appearance reminds the poet of death.
  • This simile underlines the pain of watching loved ones grow old.

9. What is the significance of ‘smile and smile and smile’ in the poem?

The repetition ‘smile and smile and smile’ shows the poet’s effort to hide her sadness.

  • She tries to appear hopeful and strong for her mother’s sake.
  • It reflects the emotional conflict of loving yet fearing separation.

10. What themes are explored in the poem My Mother at Sixty-Six?

The poem explores themes of aging, separation, love, and family bonds.

  • It addresses the inevitability of change and mortality in relationships.
  • The tension between youth and old age is a central idea.
  • It highlights nostalgia, care, and acceptance in family bonds.