My Mother At Sixty Six

The poet concealed her deep emotional turmoil with a smile, trying to provide comfort to her mother and mask her own fear of impending separation due to her mother’s frailty. The poet smiled to hide her sadness and fear of losing her aging mother, reassuring both her mother and herself.

Suggested value points- Aunt Jennifer’s tigers
- suppressed by patriarchal society
- endures the ordeals of her marriage
- desirous of strength and freedom
- resilience able to express herself beautifully through her art - creation of tigers
- tigers symbolic of freedom and chivalry / fearlessness and pride
My Mother at Sixty Six :
- reflects true struggle of fulfilling worldly duties and duties as a daughter - leaves her mother with reassurance
- hides her emotions through her smile
- makes a promise to see her soon
- mother’s ageing and appearance reflects her struggle and resilience