In this page you can find Class 9 English Extra Questions and Class 9 English Kaveri I Cannot Remember My Mother Poem Extra Questions and Answers will make your practice complete.
I Cannot Remember My Mother Poem Extra Question Answer
I Cannot Remember My Mother Class 9 Extra Question Answer
I Cannot Remember My Mother Class 9 Short Question Answer
Question 1.
Why can’t the speaker remember his mother?
Answer:
The speaker was a young child when his mother died. He is not capable of recalling his mother’s face. Still he tries to remember his mother. He uses various imagery to help him remember his mother. These are related to the things he often used in some or other ways.
Question 2.
What is the symbolic importance of shiuli flowers for the speaker?
Answer:
Perhaps, the speaker often visited temple with his mother when he was young. Whenever he smells the scent of shiuli flowers coming from the temple services in the morning, its fragrance spread around him reminds him the presence of his mother.
Question 3.
The speaker stands at the window and looks at the sky. What emotions does he have now?
Answer:
When the speaker stands at the window and looks at the sky, his mood changes into happiness. He could feel the gaze of his mother, and this makes him feel the presence of his mother.
Question 4.
What is the significance of repetition in the first line of every stanza for the speaker?
Answer:
This repetition highlights the feeling of loss, nostalgia and longing for something special that is no more in the world. In the poem, the speaker remembers his mother who is no more. He is nostalgic and desires to see his mother. Unfortunately, he can only remember his mother, but can’t recall her face.
Question 5.
What does the speaker mean to say by the line, “I feel that the stillness of my mother’s gaze on my face has spread all over the sky”?
Answer:
When the sky is clear and peaceful, the speaker feels the presence of his mother. He imagines that his mother is gazing with love and affection at him from the sky.
Question 6.
What does the speaker reflect in the line … “the tune of some song that she used to hum while rocking my cradle”?
Answer:
The speaker recalls the cradle song to remember his mother. The speaker often heard mother humming the song while rocking his cradle. The tune of this song has deeply imprinted on his mind, and now helps him remember his mother.
Question 7.
What does the poet mean when he says that a tune “hovers over” his playthings?
Answer:
The poet suggests that while playing, he sometimes hears or remembers a faint melody that reminds him of his mother. The word “hovers” indicates that the memory of the tune appears gently and unexpectedly. It symbolises how the mother’s presence remains in his subconscious mind even though he cannot clearly remember her.
Question 8.
What can we infer about the poet’s relationship with his mother from the first stanza?
Answer:
We can infer that the poet shared a loving and tender relationship with his mother when he was very young. Even though he cannot remember her clearly, the lullaby she used to hum while rocking his cradle still lingers in his memory, showing the deep emotional bond between them.
Question 9.
How does the poet use sound imagery in the first stanza to express memory?
Answer:
The poet uses sound imagery through the description of the “tune” and the song his mother used to “hum.” These auditory images help readers imagine the soft lullaby that once comforted him. This technique shows how certain sounds can trigger memories and emotions connected with loved ones.
Question 10.
Why is the image of the mother humming while rocking the cradle effective in conveying emotion?
Answer:
The image is effective because it represents warmth, care, and affection associated with motherhood. It creates a gentle and intimate scene that many readers can relate to. This emotional image helps readers feel the poet’s longing and the quiet influence of his mother’s love.
Question 11.
How does the tune of a song link the speaker to his mother, even though he can’t recall her face? [Analysis]
Answer:
The speaker lost his mother when he was very young. But when he plays games, he feels the tune of the cradle song that his mother used to sing while rocking his cradle. As the speaker finds no difference between the tunes, it helps him remember his mother, even though he is incapable to recall her face.
Question 12.
Explain the significance of the scent of shiuli flowers in bringing back memories of the speaker’s mother. [Inference]
Answer:
It seems that the speaker often participated in the morning services of the temple. His mother used to offer shiuli flowers in the autumn morning, as these flowers generally bloom in the early autumn mornings. So, when the speaker smells the scent of shiuli flowers from the temple, he remembers his mother.
Question 13.
Why does the speaker focus on sounds and smells rather than visual memories of his mother? [Analysis]
Answer:
The speaker can remember his mother but cannot recall her face. the sounds and smells used in the poem help him better focus better on memories of his mother because he lost his mother when he was very young. These the humming tune of the cradle song and the scent from the morning temple services come to his rescue and help him to remember his mother.
Question 14.
In what way do the fleeting and fragmented memories as described in the poem highlight the depth of the speaker’s loss? [Analysis]
Answer:
The speaker lost his mother at a young age. As it is very difficult for a young child to remember his mother after he has grown up. However, some fleeting and fragmented memories of our loved ones can come to our rescue and help us remember them. The speaker is incapable to forget his mother, so the memories like the tune of the cradle song and the scent of shiuli flowers from the temple services are fresh in his mind.
Question 15.
How does the poet recall his mother even though he says he cannot remember her? [Inference]
Answer:
Although the poet cannot remember his mother clearly, certain experiences remind him of her presence. The tune of a lullaby during play, the fragrance of shiuli flowers, and the calm blue sky bring back feelings associated with his mother. These moments awaken emotional memories and help him feel connected to her.
Question 16.
How does repetition contribute to the meaning of the poem? [Analysis]
Answer:
The repeated line “I cannot remember my mother” emphasises the poet’s loss and inability to recall her clearly. At the same time, it highlights how her presence still lives in his mind through memories connected with nature and everyday experiences. This repetition strengthens the emotional impact of the poem.
Question 17.
Why are ordinary experiences important in bringing back the poet’s memories? [Analysis]
Answer:
Ordinary experiences such as playing, smelling flowers, or looking at the sky trigger memories of the poet’s mother. These simple moments show that love and affection remain alive in small details of everyday life. They demonstrate how deep emotional connections can survive even when clear memories fade over time.
Question 18.
How does the poet create a gentle and emotional atmosphere in the poem? [Analysis]
Answer:
The poet creates a gentle atmosphere through simple language, soft images, and calm descriptions of nature. The lullaby, the fragrance of flowers, and the peaceful sky all produce a soothing mood. These images reflect the tenderness of a mother’s love and allow readers to feel the poet’s quiet emotions.
I Cannot Remember My Mother Class 9 Long Question Answer
Question 1.
Describe in brief the sights and smells used in the poem.
Answer:
The sights of the sky reminds the poet of his mother. When he looks outside the window, he feels the silent gaze of his mother spreading across the distant sky. This meAnswer: that his mother has become an integral part of the vast universe.
The sweet smell of the shiuli flowers also reminds the poet of his mother that how his mother used to offer the flowers in the temple services during the autumn session and this now spreads in the air.
Question 2.
What are the feelings that this poem arouses in the readers?
Answer:
The poem arouses in readers the feelings of pity for the poet. The poet does not remember anything of his mother as he was a small child when his mother died. However, he still feels her presence everywhere. This shows an emotional and unbreakable association of a child with the mother. This poem strengthens the bond between mother and a child.
Question 3.
The poem does not have a rhyme scheme or a fixed length for each line. Did you enjoy the poem? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Answer:
There is no rhyme scheme in the poem. The length of the lines in the poem is also not uniform. Still we enjoy the poem because the poet has used some special techniques to write the poem. For example, the poet has used the tool of refrain in the poem. We can analyse the line, “I cannot remember my mother” repeated several times in the poem. It is quite imaginative and arouses the feelings of pity in readers. He has also used some beautiful images that make the poem quite enjoyable.
Question 4.
How does the poet remember his mother in different ways throughout the poem? Explain.
Answer:
In the poem, the poet remembers his mother through different sensory experiences. While playing, he recalls the soft tune of a song that his mother used to hum while rocking his cradle. In another moment, the fragrance of shiuli flowers and the scent from the temple during an early autumn morning remind him of her presence. Finally, when he looks at the calm blue sky from his bedroom window, he feels the still and loving gaze of his mother spread across the sky. These experiences show that although he cannot clearly remember his mother, her presence lives in his memories through sounds, smells, and sights.
Question 5.
Discuss the role of sensory imagery in the poem.
Answer:
Sensory imagery plays an important role in the poem as it helps express the poet’s memories of his mother. The poet uses auditory imagery when he mentions the tune of the song his mother used to hum. Olfactory imagery appears when he describes the fragrance of shiuli flowers and the scent of the temple service. Visual imagery is used when he looks at the distant blue sky and imagines his mother’s gaze spread across it. These images appeal to the senses of hearing, smell, and sight, making the poem vivid and emotional. Through these sensory details, the poet shows how small experiences in nature bring back memories of his mother.
Question 6.
Explain the significance of nature in the poet’s remembrance of his mother.
Answer:
Nature plays a significant role in reminding the poet of his mother. The fragrance of shiuli flowers in the autumn morning and the calm blue sky become symbols of his mother’s presence. These natural elements help the poet connect his feelings with the world around him. The beauty and peace of nature reflect the warmth and love he associates with his mother. Even though he cannot remember her clearly, nature helps him feel her presence in a gentle and comforting way. This shows how nature can hold deep emotional meanings and memories.
Question 7.
What is the theme of the poem? How does the poet convey it?
Answer:
The main theme of the poem is the enduring memory and love of a mother. The poet conveys this theme by showing that although he cannot remember his mother clearly, her love still exists in his mind through small memories and feelings. The tune of a lullaby, the fragrance of flowers, and the calm sky remind him of her presence. The repetition of the line “I cannot remember my mother” emphasises his loss, while the sensory images show how her memory continues to comfort him. Through these elements, the poet expresses the lasting influence of a mother’s love.
Question 8.
Describe the tone and mood of the poem and explain how the poet creates them.
Answer:
The tone of the poem is gentle, nostalgic, and emotional. The poet expresses a quiet longing for his mother, whom he cannot clearly remember. The mood created is calm and reflective. The poet creates this tone and mood through simple language, repetition, and soft sensory images. The lullaby, the fragrance of flowers, and the peaceful blue sky all contribute to a sense of tenderness and calmness. These elements allow the reader to feel the poet’s deep affection and quiet sadness, making the poem touching and meaningful.
Question 9.
Explain how the poet’s memories of his mother are connected with different senses. [Analysis]
Answer:
The poet’s memories of his mother are closely connected with sensory experiences such as sound, smell, and sight. While playing, he hears the faint tune of a song that his mother once hummed while rocking his cradle. This sound reminds him of her loving care. In another moment, the fragrance of shiuli flowers and the scent from the temple during an autumn morning bring back the feeling of his mother’s presence. Finally, when he looks at the vast blue sky, he imagines the calm and loving gaze of his mother spread across it. These sensory details show how memories are often awakened through everyday experiences in nature. The poet suggests that even though he cannot remember his mother clearly, her presence still lives in his feelings and surroundings.
Question 10.
nalyse how the structure of the poem helps convey the poet’s emotions. [Analysis]
Answer:
The structure of the poem plays an important role in expressing the poet’s emotions. Each stanza begins with the repeated line “I cannot remember my mother,” which emphasises his inability to recall her clearly. After this line, the poet describes a different situation in which he feels her presence-while playing, during an autumn morning, and while looking at the sky. This pattern creates a rhythm and helps organise the poet’s memories in a meaningful way. The gradual movement from childhood play to nature and finally to the vast sky also deepens the emotional impact. Through this structure, the poet shows that although direct memories of his mother are lost, her love continues to appear in different moments of his life.
Question 11.
Do you think the poet successfully expresses his emotions about his mother? Give reasons for your answer. [Inference]
Answer:
Yes, the poet successfully expresses his emotions about his mother in a very touching and subtle way. Instead of describing his feelings directly, he uses simple images and memories that gently suggest his love and longing. The lullaby, the fragrance of flowers, and the calm sky create emotional connections that readers can easily understand. These images reflect the warmth, care, and peace associated with the presence of a mother. The poet’s use of repetition also strengthens the emotional tone of the poem. By showing how small experiences remind him of his mother, the poet makes his feelings genuine and relatable. As a result, readers can deeply feel the tenderness and quiet sadness present throughout the poem.
Question 12.
Discuss how the poet uses nature to enhance the beauty and emotional depth of the poem. [Analysis]
Answer:
Nature plays a significant role in enhancing both the beauty and emotional depth of the poem. The poet connects his memories of his mother with natural elements such as shiuli flowers, the autumn morning, and the wide blue sky. These natural images create a peaceful and gentle atmosphere. The fragrance of flowers symbolises purity and warmth, while the vast sky suggests the calm and protective presence of the poet’s mother. By using these images, the poet makes the poem vivid and meaningful. Nature becomes a bridge between the poet’s present life and his memories of the past. This artistic use of nature allows readers to appreciate how deeply the poet feels his mother’s presence in the world around him.
Question 13.
Explain the significance of the title “I Cannot Remember My Mother” in relation to the poem. [Analysis]
Answer:
The title “I Cannot Remember My Mother” immediately introduces the central feeling of the poem-loss and longing. It prepares the reader to understand that the poet does not have clear memories of his mother. However, as the poem progresses, the reader realises that although the poet cannot remember her directly, her presence still exists in his emotions and surroundings. The lullaby, the fragrance of flowers, and the peaceful sky all bring back memories associated with her. The title therefore highlights the contrast between forgetting and remembering. It suggests that memories of love can survive even when specific details are lost. This makes the poem deeply touching and meaningful, as it shows the lasting influence of a mother’s love.
I Cannot Remember My Mother Poem Extract Based Questions and Answers
Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow:
1. I cannot remember my mother
only sometimes in the midst of my play
a tune seems to hover over my playthings,
the tune of some song that she used to
hum while rocking my cradle. (Page 127)
(i) Why does the poet say that a tune “hovers over” his playthings while he is playing?
Answer:
The poet suggests that while playing he sometimes hears a faint memory of a song his mother used to hum. The tune reminds him of his mother’s loving presence even though he cannot clearly remember her face or voice.
(ii) What does the word “hover” mean in the line “a tune seems to hover over my playthings”?
Answer:
Hover meAnswer: to remain gently floating or lingering in the air. In the poem it suggests that the memory of the tune softly stays in the poet’s mind.
(iii) Complete the sentence:
The poet remembers his mother through _______.
Answer:
the tune of a song she used to hum while rocking his cradle.
(iv) Identify the poetic device used in the line “a tune seems to hover over my playthings” and explain it.
Answer:
The poet uses personification because the tune is described as if it can hover like a living being. This device helps show how the memory of the song gently surrounds the poet during his play.
(v) What theme of the poem is reflected in this stanza?
Answer:
The theme of memory and longing for the mother.
2. I cannot remember my mother
but when in the early autumn morning
the smell of the shiuli flowers floats in the air
the scent of the morning service in the temple
comes to me as the scent of my mother. (Page 127)
(i) How does the poet remember his mother in this stanza?
Answer:
The poet remembers his mother through the fragrance of shiuli flowers and the scent from the temple during the early autumn morning. These smells remind him of his mother’s presence and bring back emotional memories of her.
(ii) What does the word “scent” mean in the line “the scent of the morning service in the temple”?
Answer:
Scent meAnswer: a pleasant smell or fragrance. In the poem it refers to the sweet and calming smell associated with the temple and flowers.
(iii) Complete the sentence:
The poet associates the smell of shiuli flowers and the temple service with _______.
Answer:
The poet associates the smell of shiuli flowers and the temple service with the memory of his mother.
(iv) Identify the poetic device used in the line “the smell of the shiuli flowers floats in the air.”
Answer:
The poet uses imagery, especially olfactory imagery (imagery related to the sense of smell). This helps the reader imagine the pleasant fragrance of the flowers and feel the atmosphere of the autumn morning.
(v) What theme of the poem is reflected in this stanza?
Answer:
The stanza reflects the theme that memories of loved ones can be recalled through nature and sensory experiences. The fragrance of flowers and the temple atmosphere remind the poet of his mother’s gentle and comforting presence.
3. I cannot remember my mother
only when from my bedroom window I send
my eyes into the blue of the distant sky
I feel that the stillness of
my mother’s gaze on my face
has spread all over the sky. (Page 127)
(i) How does the poet feel the presence of his mother in this stanza?
Answer:
The poet feels the presence of his mother when he looks at the calm and vast blue sky from his bedroom window. The stillness and peacefulness of the sky remind him of the gentle and loving gaze of his mother.
(ii) What does the word “stillness” mean in the line “the stillness of my mother’s gaze”?
Answer:
Stillness means calmness or quietness without movement. In the poem it suggests the peaceful and comforting look of the poet’s mother.
(iii) Complete the sentence:
When the poet looks at the distant blue sky, he feels _______ .
Answer:
When the poet looks at the distant blue sky, he feels the calm and loving gaze of his mother spread across the sky.
(iv) Identify the poetic device used in the line “my mother’s gaze on my face has spread all over the sky.”
Answer:
The poet uses imagery and symbolism. The vast blue sky symbolises the mother’s loving presence, while the visual image of the sky helps the reader imagine the calm and protective feeling the poet experiences.
(v) What theme of the poem is highlighted in this stanza?
Answer:
The stanza highlights the theme that a mother’s love remains present even after she is gone. The poet connects the peaceful sky with his mother’s caring gaze, showing that her love continues to surround and comfort him.
Extra Questions of I Cannot Remember My Mother for Practice
I. Reference to Context
Read the extract given below and answer the questions that follow.
1. I cannot remember my mother
only sometimes in the midst of my play
a tune seems to hover over my playthings,
the tune of some song that she used to
hum while rocking my cradle.(Page 127)
(i) Choose the option that indicates the reason why the poet is unable to remember his mother.
(a) very strong memory
(b) faint memory
(c) young memory
(d) distant memory
(ii) Interpret the line ‘…a tune seems to hover over my playthings’.
(iii) Complete the following sentence appropriately.
The poet remembers his mother at _______ .
(iv) Every child is naturally fond of their mother. But the poet lost his mother at a very young age. What helps him refresh the faint memory of his mother?
(v) State whether the following sentence is true or false.
The melody of the mother’s song is coincidental, and the speaker feels it occasionally.
II. Short Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
While playing, the poet hears a tune and remembers his mother. What does he say about this tune?
Question 2.
What is the significance of the words like scent, shiuli flower and early autumn for the poet?
Question 3.
Do you think the poet struggles to remember his mother? Give evidences from the poem to support your answer.
Question 4.
What is the primary theme of the poem the poet has focused on?
Question 5.
What does the poet intend to say when he says, ‘I cannot remember my mother’?
III. Long Answer Type Questions
Question 1.
How does the poem make readers reflect on their own senses and experiences to feel connected with someone they might not fully remember or a deeper sense of belonging?
Question 2.
Why are the shiuli flowers offered in the temple service a perfect symbol for the speaker’s mother and how they connect nature, spirituality and personal memory?