The poet uses symbolism to indicate the memory of his mother's presence. Identify the symbols used in the poem.
The poet uses three distinct symbols to indicate the memory of his mother's presence. First, the tune of a song that hovers over his playthings acts as an auditory symbol, reminding him of the song she used to hum while rocking his cradle.
Second, the smell of shiuli flowers floating in the air during the early autumn morning serves as an olfactory symbol. The scent of the morning service in the temple comes to him as the scent of his mother.
Finally, the stillness of his mother's gaze spreading all over the distant blue sky acts as a visual symbol. The vast sky symbolizes her watchful and protective presence over him.
Explanation
The question requires identifying the symbols Tagore uses to represent the mother's memory. The poem connects tangible objects and sensory experiences to her abstract absence. The symbols are: 1) the auditory 'tune of a song', 2) the olfactory 'smell of shiuli flowers' and 'scent of the morning service', and 3) the visual 'stillness of my mother's gaze' spreading over the sky.