What does the phrase ashen like a corpse?
Explanation: The line depicts the state of the mother when the writer saw her. He/She describes her face as ashen as a corpse which means that her face was pale, fear stricken or “ash – like” just like that of a corpse.
Why was the mother face ashen?
This is a sign of old age. Usually old people keep their mouth open to overcome breathing problems. Her face looked pale and faded like ash. Actually, she is an image of death as her ‘ashen’ face looks like that of a corpse.
Why did the poet say her face ashen like that of a corpse?
her face ashen like that of a corpse” The statement refers to the fact that the poet had only then realized how old her mother had become and she looked close to death because her face already resembled that of a corpse due to her advancing age.
What does her face ashen mean?
adjective. Someone who is ashen-faced looks very pale, especially because they are ill, shocked, or frightened. The survivors were ashen-faced and visibly shaken.
Why did the poet smile and smile?
The poet smiled and smiled in an effort to reassure herself that she will meet her mother soon. Her words and smiles are a deliberate attempt to hide her real fears and feelings from her mother.
What does the poet notice in the outer world?
d) What did she notice in the world outside? Answer : The poet saw green trees sprinting by . She also saw a group of children who were merrily coming out of their houses.
Why does the poet smile and smile and smile?
Why does poet’s mother look like a corpse?
Answer: Explanation: As they were travelling, the old woman dozes off and the poet looks at he intently she notices that her mother is now old and pale. she looked like corpse ( dead body ) because her face was colourless and seemed to have lost the fervour of life .
What does my mother at sixty six mean?
The significance of the title, ‘My Mother at Sixty Six’ is that the author is noticing how old and worn out her mother is by life, and is fearful that she might not meet her mother again even though she does not dare to voice it.
What is the figure of speech in her face ashen like that of a corpse?
The figure of speech used in these lines is ‘Simile. ‘ The poet uses the expression “ashen like that of a corpse” to compare the face of her aging mother to that of a corpse. Such a comparison between two different entities used to make a description more vivid is called a simile.
What does her smile signify?
Her smiles signify her helplessness at the face of her mother’s inevitable death. They express her love and concern for her mother along with the underlying pain and struggle that she undergoes in coming to terms with this bitter realisation.
Why does the poet look at her again?
The poetess looked at her mother again because the security check at the airport had been done and it was time for her mother to leave. So, she wanted to take a last look at her mother’s face, for she knew that this was probably the last time she was seeing her alive.
Why did the poet smile at the end?
The poet’s parting words reveal her fear. The poet smiled and smiled in an effort to reassure herself that she will meet her mother soon. Her words and smiles are a deliberate attempt to hide her real fears and feelings from her mother.
How does the poet bring out the irony of human relationship?
The irony of human relationship is that we form it even with the knowledge that it will end anyway, either by itself or the inevitable death. The poet is deeply melancholic about her mother but she tried to divert her attention towards the beauty of the world but to no avail.
Which figure of speech has been used in the line all I did was smile and smile and smile?
Simile
The figure of speech used in these lines is ‘Simile.
Why does the poet smile and smile?
What does the poet smile signify?
The poet’s parting words of assurance and her smiles provide a stark contrast to the old familiar ache or fear of the childhood. Her words and smiles are a deliberate attempt to hide her real feelings. The parting words: “See you soon, Amma” give an assurance to the old lady whose ‘ashen face’ looks like a corpse.
What would happen if the poet didn’t see her mother again?
Answer : The poet felt pain in the realisation as she may not see her mother again.
Why did Kamala Das smile and smile?
The poet smiled and smiled in an effort to reassure herself that she will be able to meet her mother again. Question 37. Answer: Since her childhood Kamala Das always feared that she would lose her mother or be separated from her.
What is the irony of human relationships?
The irony of human relationships lies in the fact that the closest bonds that we have formed since our birth can sometimes become a burden and source of guilt. Our parents bring us up to forge our own paths but the young must take care of their old parents when the time comes.
