NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Kaveri Poem 4 I Cannot Remember My Mother

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 Kaveri Poem 4 I Cannot Remember My Mother

Page No 127 Check Your Understanding

Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

Stanza 1

1. The poet remembers his mother while he ____________.
2. The poet remembers the ____________ but not the ____________.
   Setting: ____________ (outdoor/indoor)

Answer
1. is playing
2. tune, song (lullaby);
Setting: Indoor

Stanza 2

1. The poet remembers his mother in the ____________ season.
2. The poet remembers his mother by the smell of ____________.
   Setting: ____________ (outdoor/indoor)

Answer
1. early autumn
2. shiuli flowers;
Setting: outdoor

Stanza 3

1. The poet feels that his mother ____________ at him from the ____________.
   Setting: ____________ (outdoor/indoor)

Answer
1. is gazing, sky;
Setting: outdoor

II The senses of olfactory (smell), auditory (hearing), and visual (sight), are three of the five basic senses in
humans. Give examples of references to senses from the poem. Complete the table given below.

Answer

III Read the poem silently once again and complete the following.

1. Two examples of alliteration from the poem are (i) __________ and (ii) ___________.
   Answer
   (i) “some song”,
   (ii) “smell of the shiuli flowers”
   
2. An example of onomatopoeia is ________________.
   Answer
   “hum”
   
3. The poem uses imagery extensively. Explain.
   Answer
   The poem uses sound, smell, and visual imagery to bring back the memory of the poet’s mother. The tune she hummed, the fragrance of shiuli flowers and the vast blue sky create vivid sensory pictures. These help the reader feel the poet’s emotions and memories clearly.
   
4. Although the poem does not have a rhyme scheme, it is enjoyable because ______________.
   Answer
   The poem has a natural rhythm created by repetition, simple language, and vivid imagery. The emotional flow of thoughts and feelings makes it pleasing and engaging even without rhyme.
   
5. What is the tone of the poet? Why do you say so?
   Answer
   The tone of the poem is nostalgic and emotional. The poet gently remembers his mother through small experiences such as a tune, the fragrance of flowers, and the quiet sky. These memories show his deep love and longing for his mother.
   
6. What impact does the title of the poem have on the overall mood of the poem?
   Answer
   The title creates an initial feeling of loss and sadness. However, as the poem progresses, it contrasts with the comforting memories of the mother’s presence, deepening the emotional impact and reinforcing the theme of enduring love.
   
7. The poet uses ‘I cannot remember my mother’ as a refrain because __________________.
   Answer
   It emphasises the poet’s inability to recall his mother clearly while showing that her love continues to live through feelings and memories
   
8. The poet uses symbolism to indicate the memory of his mother’s presence. Identify the symbols used in the poem.
   Answer
   The symbols used in the poem are:
   i. The humming tune-symbolises maternal care and comfort
   ii. Shiuli flowers – symbolise purity, devotion, and spiritual warmth
   iii. The sky – symbolises the vast, eternal, and protective love of the mother.