Flamingo (Poem): My Mother at Sixty-six

Topics in this chapter

• Mother-Daughter Bond
• Ageing and Mortality
• Imagery and Poetic Devices
• Emotional Conflict
• Journey and Narrative Flow
• Form and Poetic Style

Cheat sheet

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-9CD8DF

   In "My Mother at Sixty-six," the poet's repeated glances at her mother mainly reveal the poet's

   1. A.interest in her mother's youthful appearance
   2. B.fear of losing her ageing mother
   3. C.anger at being separated from her mother
   4. D.disappointment with her mother's silence
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-EA007F

   The contrast between the old, pale face of the mother and the young trees and merry children chiefly emphasizes the theme of

   1. A.conflict between rural and urban life
   2. B.difference between private sorrow and public celebration
   3. C.contrast between youth and old age
   4. D.superiority of nature over human beings
   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-4FF48A

   Why does the poet smile repeatedly while saying goodbye to her mother at the airport?

   1. A.She wants to hide her inner pain and reassure her anxious mother.
   2. B.She is amused by the busy activities at the airport.
   3. C.She has overcome all fear of separation and death.
   4. D.She wishes to persuade her mother to travel with her.
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-7E97CE

   Explain how the poem presents the poet's fear of separation from her mother while also showing her attempt to remain emotionally strong.

   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-60977F

   In the poem, the comparison of the mother's face to a corpse mainly suggests that she appears

   1. A.lifeless and extremely weak because of old age
   2. B.angry and unwilling to speak
   3. C.peaceful because she has achieved success
   4. D.unfamiliar because she is wearing a disguise
   See the answer and solution