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My Mother at Sixty-Six

My Mother at Sixty-six is a poem written by Indian writer Kamala Das. Her poems are mostly about the less noticed aspects of human relationships in the tapestry of life. She magnifies the simplest events through beautiful imagery and strong descriptions. Ageing is a natural process, and no one has control over it. As much as we love our parents and wish for them to live forever with us, nature does not seem to heed our wishes. Our parents do grow old and need help and care. It might be painful to see them lose their youth with time. It is unfortunate, but it is just like sand slipping away from between our fingers. We cannot hold on to it forever. The poet explores the loving relationship between a mother and a daughter. Her mother is old, and she cannot bear the thought of losing her. The poem describes feelings and emotions that surface within her as she rides to the airport with her mother before departing to another place. The poet describes her ride to Cochin from her parent’s hou
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The Last Lesson - Extra Questions

1. Do you think the story touches upon the brutalities of war? Comment. Ans. Yes, the story The Last Lesson says so much about the brutality of war. Though it doesn't have any physical effect on the residents but it has affected them mentally. Not only have they lost a precious piece of land to their enemies but also have lost the right to use their own mother tongue. They are now deprived of the freedom of expression of emotions and communication in their own tongue. A country remains powerful and invincible  (unconquerable) as long as it retains with pride its culture and language. With it, no one can defeat them. The story also brings home the bare fact that war mercilessly snatches away everything from people – work, home and their near and dear ones. Under such circumstances people feel utterly devastated and deserted with hardly any hope or desire to sustain life. In this case M. Hamel loses his job, the milieu (social environment where one works or lives) where he is wonted
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FIRE AND ICE — ANALYSIS (CBSE CLASS 10)

Fire and Ice is an aphoristic poem (It conveys a lot of meaning in very few words). It discusses the possible causes of the apocalypse (the absolute end of the world). Well, these causes are not only physical (those discussed in the poem on the literal level) but also emotional: fire that symbolises desire and ice that symbolises hatred, both have the power to bring an end to the human civilisation. The poem was written in 1920, shortly after the first World War. On the literal level, the poem accurately describes the ways in which the world could end: either everything will burn or everyone will be frozen to death. The poem, in a way, also draws inspiration from Dante's Inferno (a 14th century writing describing a journey into Hell). The poem's most striking feature is its cool, conversational style. The tone of the poet does not seem to be discussing something serious and alarming rather something which is matter-of-fact and inevitable. (Notice the use of the word 'great&
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DUST OF SNOW CBSE CLASS 10 - ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY/ EXPLANATION

Since we already know from our reading of Frost's The Road Not Taken in class 9 that he is always fascinated with nature, here in class 10 we have another poem that has nature surrounding it: much smaller but all the more deep in what it conveys to us readers. Look at the poem: how small, isn't it? Like a nursery rhyme. But it has a deep meaning and a strong lesson worth learning. Theme: Significance of small things in life, healing power of nature. Structure: The poem is just one line. Well, this is a pleasant surprise when you realise this. But indeed it is: one line divided into 8 smaller phrases, neatly forming a poem. Analysis:  First Stanza - There's no clue about what had been or what the poet was going through. He immediately begins with what actually happens to him. What we can reckon is that the poet is sitting under a hemlock tree. A crow comes and sits on a branch of the tree and shakes off some snow (fine particles of snow like crystals) from it, due to the sw
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The Story of Cricket -- Answers

Working with the text  Ans 1. Baseball, golf, hockey, billiards. Ans 2. The Parsis were the first Indian community to take to cricket because they were in close contact of the British that was a result of trade and business interest and their affinity towards western culture. Ans 3. 'A Happy Ending' refers to the Parsi team's victory over the Bombay Gymkhana at a cricket match in 1889. Ans 4. Television coverage expanded the audience for cricket. It took cricket to small towns and villages. It made it possible for people to watch live matches from their homes. Children got the chance to watch international cricket and imitate their heroes. Ans 5. China or Russia were never British colonies and therefore cricket was never introduced there as it was in India. Its popularity in India with the masses has led to its large viewership. Ans 6. The game's equipment refers to the items needed to play the game like the bat, ball, stumps, bails and the protective equipment like hel
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Informal Letter Writing (For class 6 to 8)

An informal letter is a personal letter written to parents, friends and relatives. Its language is personal and its style is informal. *Sample of an informal letter* Write a letter to your friend who is in hospital due to COVID. 16, Premganj Jhansi 28 June 2021 Dear Rohan, Everything is fine here. I was shocked when I learnt that you had got COVID. I was worried to hear that you had been hospitalized. When I spoke to Neeta aunty, I was relieved to hear that you have been recovering well. You have to take good care of yourself. I am sure your family is doing every bit for you. Please stay strong and cheerful. I am confident you will be home soon. I will soon come to see you at home.  Yours lovingly Shyam
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The Kite - CBSE Class 6 - Comprehension Questions

 Q.1 What is meant by 'blue' in the poem's first line? Ans. 'Blue' has been said for the clear sky as it is blue in colour. Q.2 What has the kite been compared to? Ans. The kite has been compared to a ship, using a simile. It is a ship with just one sail. Q.3 Where does it ride? Ans. It rides on the tides of the wind. Q.4 When does the kite pull itself higher in the sky? Ans. It does so when there is a strong gust of wind. It sits on the top of the gust and pulls itself higher. Q.5 What happens when wind falls? Ans. When wind falls, the kite rests by easily floating in the air. Q.6 What is the name given to the kite's string? What sound does it create? Ans. The kite's string has been called its tail in the poem. It creates a snapping (striking) sound when it becomes taut.  Q.7 What is the 'raggeder thing' that happens with a kite? What is meant by it? Ans. The 'raggeder thing' that happens with a kite is when it gets stuck on the top of a tre
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