Poetic Devices in My Mother at Sixty Six – Kamala Das
Rhyme scheme: The poet does not use any identifiable rhyme scheme in this poem. It‘s a blank
verse. Rhetorical/Poetic devices:
Simile: This rhetorical device is used when an overt comparison is made between two different
things. In this poem, the poet uses the device of simile on two instances. When she compares her
mother‘s face with that of a corpse and also uses the word ―like‖ while making that comparison.
She again compares her mother with the moon in wintertime and also uses the word ―as‖ while
making this comparison.
Personification: This rhetorical device is used to bestow human qualities on something that is not
human. In this poem, the poet uses the device of personification with respect to trees. She
imagines the trees to be figures that are running alongside her car.
Apostrophe: This rhetorical device is used when a poet addresses his or her poem to an absent
audience. In this poem, the poet uses the device of apostrophe, when she speaks directly to her
mother, addressing her as ―Amma‖, even though we never see the mother replying to the poet.
METAPHOR: This rhetorical device is used when a word or phrase is applied to an object or
action to which it is not literally applicable. In this poem, the poet uses the device of metaphor in
line when she speaks ‗Trees sprinting, the merry children spilling out of their homes‘ to show
the contrary image of her mother‘s age and approaching end. Rat’s eyes, Father’s gnarled disease
Squirrel game, Tree room, Future’s painted
REPETITION: This rhetorical device is used when a word or phrase is repeated. In this poem,
the poet uses the device of repetition in last line ‗all I did was smile and smile and smile……‘
when she had to subdue her feelings and tried not to show her emotion to her mother. She says
she believes that she will meet her mother again. Thought…thought away
Imagery & symbolism,personification: Trees sprinting
Imagery, Symbolism Merry Children
Symbolism Winter’s moon (death)
Assonance Doze, open mouthed
Consonance Trees Sprinting(S and t sounds repeated)
