"My Mother" is a poignant poem written by APJ Abdul Kalam, paying homage to his mother and her impact on his life. The poem recounts the difficulties the young poet faced during the war days, including walking long distances to attend lessons from a saintly teacher and ..................
My Mother - English Literature (DAV) - Class 8 - English
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As the poet thinks of his mother, several images flash across his mind. Write those images in the web chart below. Mother
Mother
- Heaven's caring arms
- Walking miles for lessons
- Climbing sandy hills
- Kneeling and bowing (piety)
- Sharing and giving
- Sleeping on her lap
- Comforting a crying child
- Removing pain
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The poet has beautifully described some personal qualities of his mother in the table given below. Column A has a list of qualities and Column B has extracts from the poem that suggest those qualities. Match the columns. Some words are given in italics to help you.
Column A | Column B |
---|---|
1. Helpful | You always gave and gave with faith in Him. |
2. Understanding | Your caring hand tenderly removing the pain. |
3. Religious | You knew the pain of your child. |
4. Tender | Shared your best with whoever needed the most. |
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Sign up nowThe poet’s childhood days were full of struggle. Find out a few things that the poet had to do in his childhood to help the family.
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Sign up nowYou come to me like heave’s caring arms.
I remember the war days when life was challenge and toil -
Miles to walk, hours before sunrise.
Who are ‘you’ and ‘me’ in the above lines?
Identify the figure of speech used in the first line an explain it.
Mention two things that made the poet’s life difficult.
Why did the poet have to walk so much early in the morning?
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Sign up nowAll this pain of a young boy.
My Mother you transformed into pious strength
With kneeling and bowing five times
Who is the young boy?
What pain is he talking about?
What was this pain transformed into? How did this transformation take place?
What do you understand by ‘kneeling and bowing five times’?
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Sign up nowHow did the poet’s mother act as a source of inspiration to the poet?
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Sign up now‘There are many ups and downs in man’s life but one should not lose hope.’
Discuss this statement with reference to Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam, who became the President of India.
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Sign up now‘Sleeping on your lap to the envy of elder brothers and sisters...’
Why were the elder brothers and sisters envious of the poet? Is envy good? Discuss.
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Sign up nowThe word ‘mother’ evokes powerful emotions in everything. Think about your mother and write a short poem about her, thanking her for everything she does for you.
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Sign up nowExtra Questions - My Mother | English Literature (DAV) | Literature | English | Class 8
You come to me like heaven's caring arms.
I remember the war days when life was challenge and toil -
Miles to walk, hours before sunrise,
Walking to take lessons from the saintly teacher near the temple.
Again miles to the Arab teaching school,
Climb sandy hills to Railway Station Road
You come to me like heaven's caring arms.
I remember the war days when life was challenge and toil -
Miles to walk, hours before sunrise,
Walking to take lessons from the saintly teacher near the temple.
Again miles to the Arab teaching school,
Climb sandy hills to Railway Station Road
(a) Who are 'you' and 'me' in the above extract?
(b) What does 'war days' refer to here?
(c) What kind of hardship did the speaker undergo?
(d) Identify the figure of speech used in the first line. Explain it.
(e) Why did the poet have to walk so early in the morning?
(a) In this extract, 'you' refers to the poet's mother, and 'me' refers to the poet himself.
(b) 'War days' refers to the period of the second world war that the poet and his family experienced.
(c) The speaker underwent the hardship of having to walk long distances before sunrise to attend different schools and receive education.
(d) The figure of speech used in the first line is a simile. The poet compares the mother's presence to heaven's caring arms to convey the immense love and comfort she provides.
(e) The poet had to walk so early in the morning to attend different classes and receive education, indicating that he and his family had limited resources and had to make the most of their circumstances to pursue knowledge. As there was no public transport available to cover longer distances people had to start walking early in the morning.
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Evening, business times before study at night
All this pain of a young boy,
My Mother, you transformed into pious strength
With kneeling and bowing five times
For the Grace of the Almighty only, My Mother.
Your strong piety is your children's strength
(a) How did the mother give comfort to the young boy?
(b) What do 'kneeling' and 'bowing' signify?
(c) What is children's strength?
(d) "All this pain" refers to ......
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Sign up nowWhere does the poet hope to meet his mother? How will he meet her?
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Vocabulary - Flashcards - My Mother | English Literature (DAV) | Class 8 Literature | English
About the Author - My Mother | English Literature (DAV) | Class 8 Literature | English
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (1931-2015) was an Indian scientist, educator, writer, and the 11th President of India (2002-2007). Known as the "People's President" and "Missile Man of India," Kalam played a crucial role in the development of India's missile and nuclear programs. Despite his achievements in science and politics, he was also a passionate poet and writer.
Kalam's poetry often reflects his deep love for his country, his unwavering faith in God, and his commitment to inspiring the younger generation. His verses often draw upon his own experiences, highlighting the importance of resilience, hard work, and compassion. While his writing is imbued with a sense of spirituality and optimism, it also showcases his humility and the gratitude he felt for the people who supported and inspired him throughout his life.
In addition to poetry, Kalam authored several books, including his famous autobiography "Wings of Fire" and "Ignited Minds," which aimed to motivate and inspire young readers. His writings continue to serve as a source of inspiration for people across India and around the world.
Summary - My Mother | English Literature (DAV) | Class 8 Literature | English
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Themes - My Mother | English Literature (DAV) | Class 8 Literature | English
Love and Affection:
The poem showcases the deep bond between a mother and her child. The poet's mother is the epitome of love, care, and affection, as demonstrated by her selfless actions, comforting touch, and unwavering devotion to her children.
Piety and Faith:
The theme of piety...
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Mother's Lap:
The poet's mother's lap symbolizes comfort, warmth, and security. It represents the nurturing and protective environment provided by a mother's love.
Full Moon Night:
The full moon night..
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Unlock now 🔓Poetic Devices - My Mother | English Literature (DAV) | Class 8 Literature | English
The poet APJ Kalam employs various poetic devices throughout the poem "My Mother" to enhance its meaning and create an emotional impact. Some of these devices include:
Simile:
The poet uses a simile in the line "You come to me like heaven's caring arms," comparing his mother's presence to the comforting embrace of heaven.
Imagery:
Vivid imagery......
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - My Mother | English Literature (DAV) | Class 8 Literature | English
- Piety (line 2): The quality of being religious or showing reverence to a higher power, in this case, the poet's mother's devotion to God.
Meaning: devotion to religion or showing respect for religious duties
- Envy (line 15): A feeling of discontent ...
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