What can be inferred about the poet's perception of the mother–child relationship?
The poet perceives the mother-child relationship as an enduring bond that transcends physical absence. Although he explicitly states he "cannot remember" his mother, her presence is deeply ingrained in his subconscious mind.
The relationship is characterized by sensory memories. The mother is not remembered through direct, visual recollections but through a humming tune hovering over his playthings, the scent of shiuli flowers, and the stillness of her gaze spreading over the sky. This highlights the deep emotional imprint a mother leaves on her child.
Furthermore, the relationship is perceived as vast and comforting. By feeling that his mother's gaze has spread all over the distant sky, the poet suggests that a mother's love and protection are as boundless and encompassing as the sky itself.
Ultimately, the poet views the mother-child relationship as eternal and spiritual. It is not limited by time or physical memory but is kept alive through nature and everyday experiences, symbolizing a connection that remains forever intact.
Explanation
The question asks for an inference about the mother-child relationship based on Tagore's poem. The context shows that while the poet uses the refrain 'I cannot remember my mother', he immediately counters it with vivid sensory memories (a tune, the scent of shiuli flowers, the stillness of her gaze). This implies that the bond is so deep that it does not require conscious memory; it is woven into his subconscious and his experience of the world. The connection to nature (the sky, the flowers) further elevates the relationship to something vast, spiritual, and eternal, showing that a mother's presence remains a comforting and protective force even in her physical absence.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Identify the core paradox in the poem: the poet claims he cannot remember his mother, yet her presence is felt constantly.
Step 2: Analyze the sensory triggers (tune, scent, gaze) to show that the relationship lives on in the subconscious.
Step 3: Interpret the symbolism of nature (sky, shiuli flowers) to explain the vastness and comfort of the mother's presence.
Step 4: Conclude that the relationship is perceived as eternal, spiritual, and beyond the limits of conscious memory.