Chapter- 2.3                   Somebody’s Mother


1. Question: Who is the poet of the poem “Somebody’s Mother”?


Answer: The poet of the poem is Mary Dow Brine.


2. Question: Who is the main character in the poem?


Answer: The main character is an old, poor, and lonely woman.


3. Question: How was the old woman described in the poem?


Answer: She was old, ragged, gray, and bent with the chill of winter’s day.


4. Question: Where was the old woman standing?


Answer: She was standing at a slippery street crossing.


5. Question: Why was the old woman afraid to cross the street?


Answer: Because the street was wet and slippery with snow, and she was weak.


6. Question: Who came out of the school?


Answer: A group of noisy, cheerful schoolboys came out of the school.


7. Question: What was the mood of the schoolboys?


Answer: The boys were happy, laughing, and eager to go home.


8. Question: Did the old woman have anyone to help her?


Answer: No, she had no one with her; she was alone.


9. Question: What did the other people on the street do when they saw her?


Answer: They ignored her and hurried away without helping.


10. Question: Who finally helped the old woman?


Answer: A kind-hearted schoolboy helped her cross the street.


11. Question: Why did the boy decide to help her?


Answer: Because he felt sympathy for her and thought of his own mother.


12. Question: What did the boy think about while helping her?


Answer: He thought that someday his own mother might need help when he is far away.


13. Question: What did the boy say to his friends?


Answer: He said, “She’s somebody’s mother, boys, you know.”


14. Question: What does the phrase “lend a hand” mean in the poem?


Answer: It means to help someone.


15. Question: What did the old woman do after reaching home?


Answer: She bowed her head and prayed for the noble boy who helped her.


16. Question: What was her prayer?


Answer: Her prayer was, “God be kind to that noble boy, who is somebody’s son and pride and joy.”


17. Question: What moral lesson does the poem teach?


Answer: The poem teaches kindness, compassion, and the importance of helping others.


18. Question: How did the boy feel after helping the old woman?


Answer: He felt happy and satisfied for doing a good deed.


19. Question: How was the weather described in the poem?


Answer: It was cold, snowy, and slippery—a winter’s day.


20. Question: What does the old woman represent in the poem?


Answer: She represents the poor, the weak, and the neglected people in society.


21. Question: Why did people not help her?


Answer: Because they were busy, selfish, or indifferent.


22. Question: What is the meaning of “somebody’s mother”?


Answer: It means that every old person is loved by someone, just like our own mother.


23. Question: How did the poet make the readers feel sympathy for the woman?


Answer: By describing her poverty, loneliness, and helplessness vividly.


24. Question: What does the boy’s act symbolize?


Answer: It symbolizes humanity, kindness, and respect for elders.


25. Question: What was the result of the boy’s kindness?


Answer: The old woman prayed for him, and he gained inner happiness.


26. Question: How did the old woman show her gratitude?


Answer: By praying to God to bless the boy.


27. Question: What message does the poet want to give to society?


Answer: We should always help the needy and respect the elderly.


28. Question: What kind of tone does the poem have?


Answer: The poem has a gentle, emotional, and moral tone.


29. Question: What is the rhyme scheme of the poem?


Answer: The poem generally follows an AABB rhyme scheme.


30. Question: What do you personally learn from this poem?


Answer: We learn to be compassionate, helpful, and respectful to everyone, especially the old and helpless.