Poem 4: I Cannot Remember My Mother

Suggested Answer:
Some childhood memories I remember are playing with friends in the evening, listening to stories from my grandparents, celebrating festivals with family, going to school for the first time, eating my favourite food prepared at home, and visiting parks or relatives during holidays. These memories are special because they remind me of love, care, innocence and happiness.

Suggested Answer:
A child’s relationship with the mother can deeply influence emotions and memories because a mother is often associated with care, protection, affection and comfort. Even when a child grows older, sounds, smells, songs, food, places or small daily habits can bring back memories of the mother. Such memories may create feelings of love, peace, longing and emotional security.

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1. Two examples of alliteration from the poem are:
(i) “my mother” — repetition of the m sound.
(ii) “stillness… spread… sky” — repetition of the s sound.

2. An example of onomatopoeia is:
“hum”, because it imitates the soft sound of singing with closed lips.

3. The poem uses imagery extensively. Explain.
The poem uses auditory imagery through the mother’s humming tune, olfactory imagery through the scent of shiuli flowers and temple service, and visual imagery through the blue distant sky and the mother’s gaze. These images make the mother’s memory gentle, emotional and sensory.

4. Although the poem does not have a rhyme scheme, it is enjoyable because:
It has a soft musical rhythm, repeated refrain, simple language, emotional depth and strong sensory imagery.

5. What is the tone of the poet? Why do you say so?
The tone is nostalgic, tender and reflective. The poet remembers his mother not through clear images, but through sounds, smells and the sky. This creates a mood of longing and gentle affection.

6. What impact does the title of the poem have on the overall mood of the poem?
The title creates a mood of sadness and longing. It suggests absence and imperfect memory, but the poem shows that emotional memories remain alive through sensory experiences.

7. The poet uses “I cannot remember my mother” as a refrain because:
The repeated line emphasises the poet’s inability to recall his mother clearly. It also highlights how memory works through fragments such as tune, fragrance and gaze.

8. Identify the symbols used in the poem.
The symbols are playthings, humming tune, cradle, shiuli flowers, morning service, blue sky and mother’s gaze. These symbolise childhood, comfort, purity, devotion, memory and emotional presence.

Answer:

(i) The poet is reminded of his mother during his playtime.

(ii) The primary emotion conveyed by the line “a tune seems to hover over my playthings” is C. It activates memories of the mother.

(iii) In the context of the poem, the hovering tune acts as a gentle memory of the poet’s mother. It reminds him of the song she used to hum while rocking his cradle. The tune connects his present playtime with his early childhood.

(iv) True. The poet experiences the tune lingering over his playthings only occasionally during playtime.

(v) The poet could feel his mother’s presence through sensory memory. Even though she is not physically present, the tune she used to hum makes him feel her love, care and closeness.

Answer:

(i) The poet suggests that B. The sky is a symbolic extension of the mother’s presence.

(ii) The emotion associated with the “stillness” of his mother’s gaze is D. a sense of serenity.

(iii) False. The poet does not suggest a tangible or physical effect on the sky. He uses the sky symbolically to express the vastness and calmness of his mother’s presence.

(iv) The purpose of likening the mother’s gaze to the sky is to show that her presence feels vast, calm, protective and everywhere around him. The sky becomes a symbol of the mother’s silent love.

(v) The tone of the poet in the given extract is peaceful and reflective because he connects his mother’s gaze with the stillness and vastness of the distant sky.

1. What is the emotional impact of the refrain, “I cannot remember my mother”?
The refrain creates a strong emotional impact because it expresses the poet’s pain of not being able to remember his mother clearly. At the same time, it shows that her presence survives through sounds, smells and feelings. The repetition makes the poem tender, sad and deeply nostalgic.

2. Interpret the connection between the poet’s mother and the following: (i) shiuli flowers (ii) humming tune.
(i) Shiuli flowers: The fragrance of shiuli flowers reminds the poet of the scent of morning service in the temple, which he connects with his mother. The flowers symbolise purity, devotion and emotional memory.

(ii) Humming tune: The tune reminds the poet of the song his mother used to hum while rocking his cradle. It symbolises comfort, care and the mother’s loving presence in early childhood.

3. What role does nature play in the poet’s description of the memory of his mother?
Nature plays an important role in preserving and awakening the memory of the mother. The scent of shiuli flowers, the early autumn morning and the blue sky all become reminders of the mother’s presence. Nature helps the poet feel emotionally connected to his mother even when he cannot remember her clearly.

4. What can be inferred about the poet’s perception of the mother-child relationship?
The poet sees the mother-child relationship as deeply emotional, tender and lasting. Even though he cannot remember his mother’s face, he feels her presence through music, fragrance and the sky. This shows that a mother’s love remains in a child’s heart beyond clear memory.

Answer:

Answer:
1. flaming
2. scents
3. sweetness
4. shrill
5. perfumes
6. essence
7. smooth

Extra words: scarlet, sizzle.

Answer:

Answer:
This is an audio-based task. The exact matching should be completed after listening to the classroom audio or teacher transcript.

Statements:
1. The precious memories by the seaside are not the same anymore.
2. My grandfather’s encouragement influences me in moments of difficulty.
3. The school days are a source of recollection to stay in touch.
4. Childhood days are about freedom and ordinary pleasures in outdoor activities.
5. Memories of school days are grandparents and my funny tales.
6. Parents urge us to be adventurous and discover nature but with limitations.

Sample Answer:

During my childhood, I fondly remember a small wooden swing in my grandmother’s courtyard. It was tied to a strong neem tree and had a smooth wooden seat. In the evenings, I used to sit on it while my grandmother told me stories. I still remember the smell of wet soil after rain, the rustling leaves and the cool breeze around me.

A cherished part of my childhood includes those quiet evenings when the whole family gathered near the courtyard. That swing reminds me of care, stories and togetherness. Even now, whenever I see a swing, I remember my grandmother and those peaceful childhood days.

Answer:

Monday, 8 June 2026
9:00 p.m.

Dear Diary,

Today was one of the most memorable days of my school life. We went on a school trip to a beautiful hill garden surrounded by tall trees, colourful flowers and clear blue sky. The place appealed to all my senses and made me feel peaceful and happy.

I could see bright red roses, yellow marigolds and fresh green leaves shining in the sunlight. The cool breeze touched my face gently. I could hear birds chirping and leaves rustling softly. The fragrance of flowers filled the air, and the smell of wet soil reminded me of the first rain. We also tasted fresh fruit juice at a small stall near the garden.

The most special moment was sitting quietly under a tree with my friends and watching the sunset. The sky looked orange and golden, like a painting. This trip was memorable because it helped me feel close to nature and gave me a break from daily routine. I will always remember this peaceful day.

Good night.

Suggested Answer:

Suggested Response:
“I Remember, I Remember” by Thomas Hood is a poem about childhood memories. The poet remembers the house where he was born, the window, the garden, flowers and trees. Like “I Cannot Remember My Mother”, this poem shows how childhood memories remain alive through places, nature and emotions. Both poems are nostalgic and reflective.