My Mother (Poem) (Glossary, Antonyms, Synonyms, Comprehension Questions and Answers)

 My Mother (Poem)

Summary: "I Cannot Remember My Mother" is a poem written by Rabindranath Tagore. It reflects the poet's longing and attempts to remember his mother, even though he cannot recall her directly. The poem captures moments and sensations that evoke memories of his mother's presence. The following is an analysis of the poem:

The poem begins with the speaker expressing his inability to remember his mother. However, there are brief moments when a tune from a song she used to hum while rocking the speaker's cradle seems to resonate with his playthings. This indicates a sense of connection to the mother's presence through the melody.

In the next stanza, the speaker describes another trigger for memories of his mother. The smell of shiuli flowers in the early autumn morning brings forth the scent of the morning service in the temple, which reminds him of his mother. This suggests that certain scents can evoke a strong association with her presence.

Finally, the speaker reveals that he cannot recall his mother directly, but when he gazes out of his bedroom window at the blue sky, he feels a stillness like to his mother's gaze spreading across the entire sky. This signifies a deep emotional connection and a sense of her watching over him.

Overall, "I Cannot Remember My Mother" explores the theme of memory, longing, and the profound impact a mother's presence has on a person's life. It highlights how certain sensory experiences and moments can evoke memories and feelings associated with the maternal bond.

Glossary:

1. Cradle: A small bed, often with curved sides, used for rocking a baby to sleep.
2. Tune: A sequence of musical notes or melody.
3. Hover: To linger or hang in the air.
4. Playthings: Toys or objects used for play.
5. Hum: To make a low, continuous sound.
6. Autumn: The season between summer and winter, characterized by cooler temperatures and falling leaves.
7. Shiuli: A type of flower known for its fragrance, also known as the night-flowering jasmine or the coral jasmine.
8. Scent: A distinctive smell or fragrance.
9. Morning service: A religious ritual or ceremony conducted in the morning, often held in temples.
10. Gaze: A steady, fixed look or stare.
11. Stillness: A state of calm or absence of movement.
12. Distant sky: The expanse of the sky that appears far away.
13. Presence: The state of being present or existing

Antonyms:

1. Remember - Forget
2. Play - Work
3. Hover - Settle
4. Hum - Be silent
5. Early - Late
6. Scent - Odor
7. Morning - Evening
8. Presence - Absence
9. Stillness - Movement
10. Bedroom - Living room
11. Gaze - Look away
12. Spread - Contract
13. Recall - Dismiss

Synonyms:

1. Recall - Remember
2. Play - Recreation
3. Hover - Float
4. Hum - Sing
5. Early - Morning
6. Scent - Fragrance
7. Presence - Existence
8. Stillness - Silence
9. Bedroom - Chamber
10. Gaze - Stare
11. Spread - Extend

Comprehension Questions and Answers:

1. What does the speaker mean when they say, "I cannot remember my mother"?

Ans: The speaker is expressing their inability to recall specific memories of his mother.

2. How does the tune of a song connect the speaker to his mother?

Ans: The tune reminds the speaker of a song their mother used to hum while rocking his cradle, creating a sense of connection and familiarity.

3. What triggers memories of the speaker's mother in the autumn morning?

Ans: The scent of shiuli flowers in the air reminds the speaker of the morning service in the temple, which brings forth memories of his mother.

4. How does the speaker feel his mother's presence when looking out of his bedroom window?

Ans: The stillness in the speaker's mother's gaze is metaphorically reflected in the stillness they perceive in the vast sky, creating a sense of connection.

5. What does the poem convey about the speaker's relationship with his mother?

Ans: The poem conveys a sense of longing and deep emotional connection between the speaker and their mother, even though direct memories may be elusive.

6. How does the speaker describe their mother's presence in relation to the sky?

Ans: The speaker feels that their mother's presence and gaze have spread all over the sky, suggesting a vast and all-encompassing love and care.

7. What sensory experiences trigger memories of the speaker's mother in the poem?

Ans: The tune of a song, the scent of shiuli flowers, and the vastness of the sky evoke memories and feelings associated with the speaker's mother.

8. What emotions and themes are conveyed in the poem?

Ans: Longing, memory, connection, and the enduring presence of a mother's love are some of the emotions and themes conveyed in the poem.