Question:
Write the central idea of My Mother at Sixty-six (by Kamala Das).
Write the central idea of My Mother at Sixty-six (by Kamala Das).
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Link the mother's pale, ashen face to the poet's old childhood fear of losing her.
Updated On: Sep 24, 2026
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Solution and Explanation
Final Answer:
The poem is about ageing, the fear of losing a loved one and the poet's deep love for her mother. While driving to the airport, the poet sees her mother's pale, ashen face and is gripped by her old childhood fear of losing her. She looks away at the young trees and children, but the fear returns at the airport, and she hides it behind a smile and the words 'see you soon, Amma'.
The poem is about ageing, the fear of losing a loved one and the poet's deep love for her mother. While driving to the airport, the poet sees her mother's pale, ashen face and is gripped by her old childhood fear of losing her. She looks away at the young trees and children, but the fear returns at the airport, and she hides it behind a smile and the words 'see you soon, Amma'.
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