Pick out words from the poem which convey the sense of loss that the poet feels.
Answers
Answer:
The question refers to the poem ‘My Grandmother’s House’ by Kamala Das.
There are many expressions from which the reader can sense the poet’s feeling of despair and irrevocable loss.
Explanation:
- "where once / I received love"- These words are expressed in the past tense and hence indicate that the poet no longer feels loved. The loss of affection is very clearly expressed. Also, since love is a mutual feeling, it also suggests that the poet lost a loved one. Thus, the passing away of that individual (who happens to be the poet’s grandmother), is another painful loss.
- "The house withdrew into silence"- The atmosphere in the house was not always mournful, but it ‘withdrew into silence’, thus cutting the poet out of the house. When someone withdraws, that individual stops connecting with people. Similarly, the joyful relationship between the house and the poet came to an end.
- "snakes moved / Among books" – Books are known to encourage creativity and imagination, but snakes are a symbol of coldness and death. Death is synonymous with permanent loss.
- "my blood turned cold"- Scientifically speaking, humans have warm blood. They turn cold when they pass away. These words show that she is as good as dead. She has lost interest in life. The excitement of life is lost.
- "Was proud, and loved"- The poet talks about affection and self-worth in the past tense. So, she has not just lost love, but also her sense of identity.
- "I who have lost / My way" - The poet has lost her way and is directionless. She has no purpose in life and no aims. Hers is not a meaningful existence. The meaning is lost as well.
- "beg now at strangers' doors" - As strange as it sounds, it portrays the poet’s desperation to try and get some of the love that she lost years ago.
The poem is a pessimistic one, with the poet expressing her loss in many ways.