If you are preparing for Class 9 CBSE English, this poem is important for understanding memory, emotion, and sensory imagery. I Cannot Remember My Mother shows how feelings remain even when memories fade.
Students often find this chapter difficult because it focuses on abstract ideas like memory and symbolism. This page provides complete NCERT solutions to help you understand answers clearly and improve your writing in exams.
All sections are covered, including Reflect and Respond, Check Your Understanding, Critical Reflection, Vocabulary in Context, and Writing Task.
Reflect and Respond
I. “Work in pairs. Discuss the memories from your childhood that you remember. List them and share with your classmates and teacher.”
Answer (sample list of childhood memories):
I remember bedtime stories and lullabies.
I remember playing with my toys and simple games.
I remember school assemblies and my first day at school.
I remember family festivals and special meals.
I remember rainy days, paper boats, and puddles.
I remember a favourite place, like a park or a beach.
II. “Discuss how children’s relationship with their mother can influence their emotions and memories.”
Answer:
A child’s relationship with their mother can influence emotions and memories because the mother often provides comfort, safety, and care in early life. The mother’s voice, habits, songs, routines, and affection become emotional anchors. Even when details fade, certain sounds, smells, and sights can revive feelings of warmth, longing, and security connected to the mother.
III. “Match the words given in Column 1 with their meanings in Column 2.”
Column 1 / Column 2
hover — (v) linger or remain near a place
hum — (i) sing a tune with your lips closed
cradle — (vi) a small bed for a baby
shiuli — (ii) a type of flower (coral jasmine)
Morning service — (iv) rituals conducted in a temple
gaze — (iii) look steadily for a long time
Check Your Understanding
I. “Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.”
Stanza 1
“The poet remembers his mother while he _.”
Answer: The poet remembers his mother while he is playing.
“The poet remembers the _ but not the _.”
Answer: The poet remembers the tune but not the mother.
“Setting: _ (outdoor/indoor)”
Answer: Setting: indoor.
Stanza 2
“The poet remembers his mother in the _season.”
Answer: The poet remembers his mother in the early autumn season.
“The poet remembers his mother by the smell of _.”
Answer: The poet remembers his mother by the smell of shiuli flowers.
“Setting: _(outdoor/indoor)”
Answer: Setting: outdoor.
Stanza 3
“The poet feels that his mother _ at him from the _.”
Answer: The poet feels that his mother is gazing at him from the sky.
“Setting: _ (outdoor/indoor)”
Answer: Setting: indoor.
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.”
Stanza 1 (Auditory/hearing):
“A tune seems to hover over my playthings,”
“the tune of some song that she used to hum while rocking my cradle.”
Stanza 2 (Olfactory / smell):
“the smell of the shiuli flowers floats in the air”
“the scent of the morning service in the temple”
Stanza 3 (Visual / sight):
“the blue of the distant sky,”
“the stillness of my mother’s gaze on my face has spread all over the sky.”
III. “Read the poem silently once again and complete the following.”
“Two examples of alliteration from the poem are (i) _ and (ii) __.”
Answer:
(i) “my mother”
(ii) “my playthings”
“An example of onomatopoeia is ____.”
Answer: hum
“The poem uses imagery extensively. Explain.”
Answer:
The poem uses imagery by appealing to the senses of hearing, smell, and sight. The poet remembers his mother through the sound of a tune and humming, the smell of shiuli flowers and temple morning service, and the sight of the blue sky that feels like his mother’s gaze. These sensory images help the reader experience the poet’s memories vividly.
“Although the poem does not have a rhyme scheme, it is enjoyable because __.”
Answer:
Although the poem does not have a rhyme scheme, it is enjoyable because it has repetition and refrain, gentle rhythm, and vivid sensory imagery that creates emotion.
“What is the tone of the poet? Why do you say so?”
Answer:
The tone of the poet is nostalgic and tender because he misses his mother and feels her presence through memories and sensations rather than direct recollection.
“What impact does the title of the poem have on the overall mood of the poem?”
Answer:
The title creates a mood of loss and longing. It prepares the reader to feel the sadness of forgetting and the comfort of remembering through small sensory moments.
“The poet uses ‘I cannot remember my mother’ as a refrain because ______.”
Answer:
The poet uses “I cannot remember my mother” as a refrain because it emphasises that he cannot recall her directly, yet her memory returns repeatedly through sounds, smells, and sights.
“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:
the tune that hovers over his playthings,
the shiuli flowers,
the scent of the morning service in the temple,
the blue sky,
the stillness of the mother’s gaze spread over the sky.
Critical Reflection
I. “Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that follow.”
- Extract 1
“I cannot remember my mother
only sometimes in the midst of my play
a tune seems to hover over my playthings,”
(i) “Complete the following sentence appropriately. The poet is reminded of his mother during his ____.”
Answer: The poet is reminded of his mother during his play.
(ii) “What is the primary emotion conveyed by the line ‘a tune seems to hover over my playthings’?”
A. It enhances the joy of play.
B. It disrupts the playtime atmosphere.
C. It activates memories of the mother.
D. It symbolises the carefree nature of childhood.
Answer: C. It activates memories of the mother.
(iii) “In the context of the poem, what role does the hovering tune play during the speaker’s playtime?”
Answer:
The hovering tune acts as a memory trigger. It brings the poet’s mother back into his mind and makes him feel her presence while he is playing.
(iv) “State whether the following sentence is true or false. The poet experiences the tune lingering over playthings only occasionally during playtime.”
Answer: True.
(v) “How could the poet feel his mother’s presence, even though she isn’t there?”
Answer:
The poet feels his mother’s presence through sensory memories, such as a tune she used to hum, familiar smells, and the sight of the sky that reminds him of her gaze. - Extract 2
“I feel that the stillness of
my mother’s gaze on my face
has spread all over the sky.”
(i) “What does the poet suggest about the stillness of his mother’s gaze spreading over the sky?”
A. The mother’s gaze is physically present in the sky.
B. The sky is a symbolic extension of the mother’s presence.
C. The sky mirrors the mother’s emotions.
D. The stillness is fleeting and unrelated to the mother.
Answer: B. The sky is a symbolic extension of the mother’s presence.
(ii) “What emotion does the poet associate with the ‘stillness’ of his mother’s gaze?”
A. a sense of grief
B. a sense of anticipation
C. a sense of nostalgia
D. a sense of serenity
Answer: D. a sense of serenity
(iii) “State whether the following sentence is true or false. The poet suggests that the mother’s gaze has a tangible and visual effect on the sky.”
Answer: False.
(iv) “What is the purpose of likening the mother’s gaze to the sky?”
Answer:
The purpose is to show that the mother’s presence feels vast, calm, and protective, as if her gaze covers everything like the sky.
(v) “Complete the sentence appropriately. The tone of the poet in the given extract is _ because _.”
Answer:
The tone of the poet in the given extract is serene because he feels calm and comforted by the thought of his mother’s gentle gaze spread across the sky.
II. “Answer the following questions.”
“What is the emotional impact of the refrain, ‘I cannot remember my mother’?”
Answer:
The refrain creates a strong emotional impact of longing and sadness, because the poet cannot remember his mother directly. At the same time, it makes the poem touching because each repetition leads to a new sensory memory that shows her continued presence.
“Interpret the connection between the poet’s mother and the following: (i) shiuli flowers (ii) humming tune”
Answer:
(i) The poet connects his mother with shiuli flowers because their smell in early autumn reminds him of her and the temple mornings.
(ii) The poet connects his mother with the humming tune because she used to hum while rocking his cradle, and the same tune returns to him during play.
“What role does nature play in the poet’s description of the memory of his mother?”
Answer:
Nature acts as a carrier of memory. The smell of flowers, the air of the morning, and the blue sky help the poet feel his mother’s presence even though she is not physically there.
“What can be inferred about the poet’s perception of the mother–child relationship?”
Answer:
It can be inferred that the poet sees the mother–child relationship as deep, comforting, and lasting, because even when he cannot remember her clearly, her love remains in his senses and feelings.
Vocabulary in Context
I. “Work in pairs to classify the sensory words given in the box below. One example has been done for you.”
Words: rustle, sticky, glowing, hiss, rough, chilled, aroma, gigantic, stale, sizzle, minuscule, scent, gloomy, deafening, vibrant, pungent, squeaky, stinky, crimson, fluffy, fragrant, smooth, slimy, ear-splitting, hairy
Answer:
Visual: glowing, gigantic, minuscule, gloomy, vibrant, crimson
Auditory: rustle, hiss, sizzle, squeaky, deafening, ear-splitting
Olfactory: aroma, scent, stinky, pungent, stale, fragrant
Tactile: sticky, rough, chilled, fluffy, smooth, slimy, hairy
II. “Fill in the blanks with sensory words in the box for the following passage written by Sarojini Naidu. There are two extra words.”
Box: scarlet, shrill, sizzle, perfumes, flaming, scents, sweetness, essence, smooth
Answer:
scarlet
perfumes
sweetness
shrill
scents
essence
flaming
III. “Write numbers against each picture with the phrases that describe them with their sensorial associations. One example has been done for you.”
Phrases:
beats of music echo in air
melody of soothing scent, dancing in the air
fragrant breeze of blooming buds
gentle lullaby, a soft melody
colourful sky, painting a lively sight
attractive canvas painting the horizon
Answer (numbers for the six pictures on the page):
Picture of flowers: 3
Picture of mother rocking cradle/swing: 4
Picture of kites in the sky: 5
Picture of sunset/horizon: 6
Picture of tabla/drums (example already done): 1
Picture of incense smoke: 2
Listen and Respond
I. “You will listen to four short extracts of people expressing their childhood memories. As you listen, match each statement 1–6 to each speaker (i)–(iv). There are two statements that you do not need. (Transcript for teacher on page 266)”
Statements (1–6):
“The precious memories by the seaside are not the same anymore.”
“My grandfather’s encouragement influences me in moments of difficulty.”
“The school days are a source of recollection to stay in touch.”
“Childhood days are about freedom and ordinary pleasures in outdoor activities.”
“Memories of school days are grandparents and my funny tales.”
“Parents urge us to be adventurous and discover nature but with limitations.”
Speakers (i)–(iv) from the teacher transcript:
Speaker (i): Grandfather’s advice and encouragement echoes in moments of difficulty.
Speaker (ii): Freedom to explore nature; butterflies, paper boats, muddy waters, beaches.
Speaker (iii): Preparatory school memories; grandma’s tolerance; grandpa’s lap; comic strip tales; funny retelling.
Speaker (iv): Childhood at the beach; later returns to find it crowded; family distance over time.
Answer (matching statements to speakers):
“The precious memories by the seaside are not the same anymore.” — Speaker (iv)
“My grandfather’s encouragement influences me in moments of difficulty.” — Speaker (i)
“The school days are a source of recollection to stay in touch.” — Not required
“Childhood days are about freedom and ordinary pleasures in outdoor activities.” — Speaker (ii)
“Memories of school days are grandparents and my funny tales.” — Speaker (iii)
“Parents urge us to be adventurous and discover nature but with limitations.” — Not required
Speaking Activity
I. “Work in pairs. Think of an object, song, or a place that is memorable for you. Take turns to speak about it using the prompts given below.”
Prompts:
“Introduce it briefly”
“Describe it in detail including sensory details”
“Narrate the specific memory associated with it”
“Explain how it has impacted your life”
“Summarise why this memory is meaningful to you even now”
Answer (sample speech on a memorable place):
During my childhood, I fondly remember visiting my grandparents’ house. It was a small house with a neem tree in the courtyard. I remember the smell of hot tea in the mornings and the sound of sparrows on the branches. Recalling those early years, I cannot forget sitting near the window while sunlight entered the room. One of my favourite childhood moments is eating mangoes on the terrace during summer evenings. This memory has impacted my life because it reminds me to value family time and simple happiness. This memory is meaningful to me even now because it makes me feel calm and grateful whenever I think about it.
Writing Task
I. “Imagine you had been on a school trip to a scenic place which appealed to all your senses. Write a diary entry describing the place and why it was a memorable experience.”
Answer (diary entry):
Saturday, 14 June 2026, 8:15 p.m.
Today our class went on a school trip to a beautiful lakeside. The air felt cool and fresh on my skin, and a soft breeze moved through the trees. I could smell wet soil and wild flowers near the water. The lake looked like a mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. I could hear birds calling from far away and the gentle sound of water touching the shore.
We sat on the grass and shared snacks while watching the sunlight sparkle on the ripples. I felt peaceful and happy because everything around me seemed calm and bright. The most memorable moment was when the wind became stronger and the lake shimmered like silver.
I will remember this trip because it appealed to all my senses and made me feel relaxed and grateful.
Learning Beyond the Text
I. “You read about the shiuli flowers from the poem. Gather more information on unique flowers of India—where they are found, how they look, what smell they emit, and what the historical significance is, if any. [For example, Kurinji or Neelakurinji that blooms once in twelve years.] Add more flowers to this list.”
Answer:
Shiuli Flowers:
known as Parijat, Parijata, and Harsingar
revered and used for various ceremonial purposes
release a sweet fragrance
associated with numerous Indian legends
bloom exclusively during the night
Kurinji (Neelakurinji):
found mainly in the Western Ghats (especially parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu)
small purple-blue flowers that cover hillsides
has a mild natural fragrance
blooms once in twelve years and is culturally significant because it marks a rare natural event
Lotus (Kamal):
found in ponds and lakes across India
large pink or white petals with a broad leaf base
has a gentle fresh fragrance
historically and culturally significant in Indian traditions and art, often symbolising purity
Jasmine (Mogra):
grown widely across India
small white flowers, often used in garlands
strong sweet fragrance
used traditionally in worship, ceremonies, and hair adornment
II. “You must have read poems and songs related to the theme of family, friends and their reminiscences, in English and also in your own language. Collect these poems and songs, and share with your classmates and teacher. Now, read and enjoy the poem given below.”
Answer (sample list of poems and songs related to family, friends and reminiscences):
“I Remember, I Remember” by Thomas Hood
“My Mother” by Ann Taylor
“The Village Blacksmith” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Auld Lang Syne” (traditional song about old times and friendships)
“Where the Mind Is Without Fear” by Rabindranath Tagore (memory and values connected to people and nation)
How to Use These NCERT Solutions
Read the poem carefully and try to understand the emotional meaning behind each stanza.
Attempt the questions on your own before checking the answers. This will help you improve your thinking and writing.
Focus on sensory imagery such as sound, smell, and sight because these are key to understanding the poem.
Why This Chapter is Important
This chapter focuses on memory, emotions, and the bond between a child and mother.
It helps you understand how poets use imagery and symbolism to express feelings.
Questions from this chapter often test interpretation, tone, and explanation skills.
Who Should Use This
This content is useful for:
- Class 9 CBSE students
- Students preparing for English exams
- Learners who struggle with poetry
- Students are improving their answer writing