Question

Write the central idea of any one of the following poems :
a) My Mother at Sixty-six
b) A Roadside Stand
c) Aunt Jennifer's Tigers.

Hint:

When asked for the central idea of a poem, start by identifying the main theme. Then, use specific images, metaphors, or phrases from the poem to support your interpretation. Conclude by summarizing the poet's overall message or feeling.

Answer 1

Central Idea of 'My Mother at Sixty-six':
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The poem 'My Mother at Sixty-six' by Kamala Das explores the themes of aging, the fear of loss and separation, and the poignant relationship between a daughter and her aging mother. It captures a moment of realization and the painful awareness that time is fleeting and death is an inevitable reality.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The central idea revolves around the poet's sudden and sharp fear upon seeing her mother's frail and aging face while driving to the airport.
1. The Pain of Realization: The poet observes her mother dozing, her face looking 'ashen like that of a corpse'. This comparison triggers the painful thought that her mother is old and may not live for long. It brings back a familiar childhood fear ('that old familiar ache') of losing her mother.
2. Contrast Between Life and Death: To distract herself from these troubling thoughts, the poet looks outside at the 'young trees sprinting' and the 'merry children spilling out of their homes'. This imagery of youth, energy, and life stands in stark contrast to her mother's pale and inactive state inside the car, highlighting the progression of age and the proximity of death.
3. The Mask of a Smile: At the airport, during the farewell, the poet experiences the same old fear but hides her true feelings behind a repeated smile. Her parting words, "see you soon, Amma," are a message of reassurance to her mother and to herself, but they carry the underlying fear that this might be their last meeting. The smile is a deliberate act to conceal her pain and anxiety.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The central idea is the emotional pain and anxiety a daughter feels about her mother's advancing age and the looming possibility of their final separation due to death. The poem beautifully captures the complexity of love, fear, and the helplessness one feels against the natural process of aging.