Chapter 1
My Mother
Questions and Answers
Question:1 Why does the word ‘Maa’ naturally come to our lips whenever we are in trouble or pain?
Answer: The word ‘Maa’ comes naturally because a mother is the first person who provides comfort, care, and affection during times of pain or trouble, offering emotional and physical support.
Question:2 Who is described as sitting and watching over the infant’s head while sleeping, and what does this signify about her character?
Answer: The mother is described as sitting and watching the infant’s head, signifying her constant vigilance, care, and deep affection for her child even during sleep.
Question:3 How does the poem depict a mother’s response to her child’s tears caused by pain and sickness?
Answer: The poem shows that the mother gazes upon the child’s eyes with concern and weeps for fear that the child may die, emphasizing her empathy, tenderness, and emotional bond.
Question:4 What actions does the mother take when the child falls, according to the poem?
Answer: When the child falls, the mother helps immediately, tells a comforting story, and kisses the injured place to make it better, demonstrating her care, love, and nurturing nature.
Question:5 How does the poet express the desire to reciprocate a mother’s love?
Answer: The poet expresses a desire to remain affectionate and kind, promising to reward the mother’s care, showing gratitude and the intention to give back the love received.
Question:6 Explain the significance of the line, “And if God please my life to spare, I hope I shall reward thy care, My mother!”
Answer: This line conveys the poet’s hope that if she lives long, she will honor and repay her mother’s lifelong love, showing a sense of duty, gratitude, and filial devotion.
Question:7 How does the poem portray the mother during the child’s infancy?
Answer: During infancy, the mother is portrayed as vigilant, affectionate, and emotionally invested in her child’s well-being, highlighting the unconditional care of a parent.
Question:8 What does the poem suggest about the mother’s emotional experience when the child is ill?
Answer: It suggests that the mother experiences fear, worry, and sorrow when the child is ill, reflecting deep emotional connection and the intensity of maternal love.
Question:9 What does “gaze upon my heavy eye” imply in the context of the poem?
Answer: It implies that the mother looks at her sick child with undivided attention and concern, showing her attentiveness and care during moments of vulnerability.
Question:10 Describe how storytelling is used as a maternal tool in the poem.
Answer: Storytelling is used by the mother to comfort the child after falls, providing distraction, entertainment, and emotional healing, illustrating nurturing and psychological care.
Question:11 Why does the poet repeatedly use the phrase “My mother” at the end of stanzas?
Answer: Repeating “My mother” emphasizes the central role of the mother in the poet’s life, reinforcing love, respect, and the importance of maternal presence.
Question:12 How is the theme of reciprocity in mother-child relationships portrayed?
Answer: The theme is shown through the poet’s promise to care for the mother when she is old and feeble, highlighting gratitude and moral responsibility in familial love.
Question:13 What qualities of the mother are highlighted in the lines describing her care during childhood injuries?
Answer: Patience, attentiveness, nurturing, and emotional warmth are highlighted, showcasing the protective and comforting aspects of maternal care.
Question:14 Explain the line, “Can I ever cease to be Affectionate and kind to thee?”
Answer: This rhetorical question emphasizes the poet’s unwavering commitment to love and care for the mother, suggesting that maternal affection inspires lifelong devotion.
Question:15 How does the poem depict the mother’s role as a healer?
Answer: The mother heals both physical injuries with kisses and emotional distress with comfort and attention, showing her comprehensive nurturing role.
Question:16 What does the line “And tears of sweet affection shed?” indicate about the mother’s feelings?
Answer: It indicates that the mother feels deep, loving sorrow for her child’s pain, revealing emotional sensitivity and selfless love.
Question:17. How does the poet illustrate the mother’s concern for the child’s life?
Answer: The mother’s fear of the child’s death during sickness shows her protective instincts and the intensity of her emotional attachment.
Question:18 How does the glossary help in understanding the poem?
Answer: The glossary explains difficult words such as “gaze,” “cease,” and “feeble,” helping readers understand the poet’s intent and the poem’s emotional depth.
Question:19 Describe how the poem transitions from childhood care to promises for the mother’s old age.
Answer: It transitions by moving from the mother’s care during infancy and illness to the poet’s promise of support when the mother is old, creating a full-circle depiction of care.
Question:20 What is the significance of the poet promising to be the mother’s “stay” in old age?
Answer: It signifies responsibility, loyalty, and the repayment of parental love, emphasizing the moral duty of children toward aging parents.
Question:21 How does the poet convey the mother’s physical presence during childhood?
Answer: Through phrases like “watched my infant head” and “ran to help me,” the poem conveys the mother’s constant physical presence and attentiveness.
Question:22 In what ways does the poem show the mother’s emotional labor?
Answer: Emotional labor is shown through her vigilance, tears, worry, storytelling, and comforting actions, reflecting the effort and care involved in raising a child.
Question:23 How does repetition in the poem emphasize maternal care?
Answer: Repetition of “My mother” and descriptive actions reinforces her constant presence and the enduring nature of maternal affection.
Question:24 Explain the imagery used in the poem to describe the mother’s actions.
Answer: Imagery such as “watched my infant head” and “kiss the place to make it well” creates vivid visual pictures of nurturing care, making maternal love tangible.
Question:25 What role does the mother play in the poet’s moral and emotional development?
Answer: The mother’s constant care, protection, and affection shape the poet’s sense of love, responsibility, and emotional awareness.
Question:26 How is divine providence referenced in the poem?
Answer: The poet mentions “if God please my life to spare,” acknowledging divine will in life and expressing hope to fulfill filial duty if allowed to live.
Question:27 How does the poet balance emotion and promise in the poem?
Answer: The poet blends nostalgic recollection of childhood care with a forward-looking promise to care for the mother in old age, connecting emotion with responsibility.
Question:28 What does “feeble and grey” signify about the mother?
Answer: “Feeble and grey” signifies aging and vulnerability, highlighting the need for reciprocal care from children.
Question:29 How is physical affection portrayed in the poem?
Answer: Through actions like kissing a child’s hurt, holding and comforting, the poem shows maternal physical affection as a source of healing and love.
Question:30 How does the poem depict the universality of a mother’s role?
Answer: By focusing on care, concern, and lifelong love, the poem portrays qualities common to mothers everywhere, making the theme universal.
Question:31 How does the poet express gratitude toward the mother?
Answer: Gratitude is expressed through promises of future care, admiration of her sacrifices, and acknowledgment of her love and concern.
Question:32 How are the senses used to describe maternal care in the poem?
Answer: Sight (“watched my infant head”), touch (“kiss the place”), and emotional perception (“tears of sweet affection”) are used to show multi-sensory nurturing.
Question:33 Explain the use of rhetorical questions in the poem.
Answer: Rhetorical questions like “Can I ever cease to be affectionate?” emphasize emotional attachment and the impossibility of forgetting a mother’s love.
Question:34 How does the poem illustrate the mother’s vigilance at night?
Answer: By saying she “watched my infant head when sleeping,” it illustrates her care extends through the night, reflecting tireless dedication.
Question:35 How does the poet describe the mother’s reaction to childhood mishaps?
Answer: The mother reacts with immediate attention, comfort, storytelling, and physical care, demonstrating both practical and emotional support.
Question:36 How does the poem link childhood experiences to adult promises?
Answer: Childhood experiences of care and affection motivate the poet’s adult commitment to care for the mother, showing continuity of love and duty.
Question:37 What is the emotional tone of the poem?
Answer: The emotional tone is affectionate, nostalgic, reverent, and tender, reflecting deep love and admiration for the mother.
Question:38 How does the poem show that maternal love is selfless?
Answer: By depicting the mother’s concern for the child’s well-being, her tears, and her efforts to comfort without expecting anything in return, the poem highlights selflessness.
Question:39 What is the significance of the closing lines of the poem?
Answer: The closing lines emphasize lifelong gratitude, promise of reciprocation, and moral obligation, bringing the theme of maternal love full circle.
Question:40 How can this poem inspire readers in their own family relationships?
Answer: It inspires readers to recognize and appreciate their mother’s sacrifices, reciprocate care, and maintain strong emotional bonds with family members.
Answer by Mrinmoee
