my grandmother's house poem essay

My Grandmother's House Summary & Analysis by Kamala Das

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

"My Grandmother's House," an autobiographical poem by Indian writer Kamala Das, tells a story of nostalgia and sorrow. The poem's speaker longs to return to her grandmother's house, where she once felt loved and secure—especially now that she lives a lonely adult life, mourning the safety and comfort of her childhood. This poem was published in Das's 1965 collection Summer in Calcutta.

• Read the full text of “My Grandmother's House”

The Full Text of “My Grandmother's House”

“my grandmother's house” summary, “my grandmother's house” themes.

Longing and Nostalgia

Loneliness and the Desire for Love

Lines 12-16, line-by-line explanation & analysis of “my grandmother's house”.

There is a ... ... That woman died,

The house withdrew ... ... like the moon

How often I ... ... Dog...

you cannot believe, ... ... in small change?

“My Grandmother's House” Symbols

• Lines 1-2: “There is a house now far away where once / I received love...”
• Line 3: “The house withdrew into silence,”
• Lines 7-8: “to peer through blind eyes of windows or / Just listen to the frozen air,”
• Lines 12-14: “you cannot believe, darling, / Can you, that I lived in such a house and / Was proud, and loved...”

• Lines 9-10: “pick an armful of / Darkness”

“My Grandmother's House” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

• Line 2: “love... That”
• Line 3: “silence, snakes”
• Line 4: “books, I”
• Line 5: “read, and”
• Line 7: “There, to”
• Line 9: “despair, pick”
• Line 12: “Dog... you,” “believe, darling”
• Line 13: “you, that”
• Line 14: “proud, and,” “loved... I”
• Line 16: “love, at”
• Lines 1-2: “once / I”
• Lines 3-4: “moved / Among”
• Lines 4-5: “young / To”
• Lines 6-7: “going / There”
• Lines 7-8: “or / Just”
• Lines 9-10: “of / Darkness”
• Lines 10-11: “lie / Behind”
• Lines 11-12: “brooding / Dog”
• Lines 13-14: “and / Was”
• Lines 14-15: “lost / My”
• Lines 15-16: “to / Receive”
• Line 3: “The house withdrew into silence”
• Line 7: “to peer through blind eyes of windows”
• Lines 7-8: “ or / Just listen to the frozen air”
• Lines 15-16: “beg now at strangers' doors to / Receive love, at least in small change?”

Rhetorical Question

• Lines 12-16: “ you cannot believe, darling, / Can you, that I lived in such a house and / Was proud, and loved... I who have lost / My way and beg now at strangers' doors to / Receive love, at least in small change?”
• Line 5: “my blood turned cold like the moon”
• Lines 10-12: “lie / Behind my bedroom door like a brooding / Dog...”

“My Grandmother's House” Vocabulary

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• In small change
• (Location in poem: Line 3: “The house withdrew into silence,”)

Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “My Grandmother's House”

Rhyme scheme, “my grandmother's house” speaker, “my grandmother's house” setting, literary and historical context of “my grandmother's house”, more “my grandmother's house” resources, external resources.

An Introduction to Das — Watch a short video that discusses Das's feminist legacy.

A Brief Biography — Learn more about Das's life and work.

Das's Legacy — Read an article honoring Das on the tenth anniversary of her death. 

Das's Obituary — Read Das's obituary to learn more about her influence on the literary world.

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Analysis of ‘My Grandmother’s House’ by Kamala Das

• by Guiding Literature
• June 17, 2021 July 21, 2021
• Read the poem
• About the poet

‘My grandmother’s House’ is a nostalgic poem penned down by the popular Indian author and poet Kamala Das. In this poem, the poet pours down her heartfelt remembrance of the days spent in her grandmother’s house when she was a child.

About the poet –

Kamala Surayya, also known by her pseudonym Madhavikutty and married name Kamala Das was a popular author as well as a poet whose contribution to the Indian Literature is remarkable. Her works can be found in both English and Malayalam. Through her works of literature, one can see a glance of unmatched boldness with the aspects of feminism, and sexuality of women, prostitution etc which was criticized by many. Some of her works include Padmavati The Harlot ; A Doll for the Child Prostitute ; My Story; Alphabet of Lust etc.

The poem “ My Grandmother’s House ” which can be read here is a very nostalgic poem, where the poet reminisces the days spent with her grandmother in her childhood. In the beginning lines, the poet says that she now lives somewhere far away from the house which once provided her with every comfort and happiness of life. All these things are now missing in her life, and hence she is reminded of the time spent with her grandmother, when she didn’t lack of anything. The day her grandmother left for the heavenly abode, her house turned silent. Her grandmother took away the soul of the house along with her. Therefore, when she expired, the house became silent, as there was no human being to take care of the house.

It is often seen that a place which is abandoned or not inhabited by any human being for a long time becomes the home of animals and reptiles. In the same way, grandmother’s house is now home to snakes and insects which move freely over the old books that once belonged to the poet’s grandmother. The poet Kamala Das never got a chance to read those books, because she was too young to understand books, while she was living with her grandmother. This entire scene of snakes crawling over the valuable books makes the house look horrible and creepy. This scene turned the poet’s blood cold just like the moon as she couldn’t tolerate the hideous sight.

The poet then expresses her longing to visit her grandmother’s house. Her attachment to her childhood house is unmatched. She wishes to peep inside the dead house through a small crack of the windows. The air of the house is now frozen, which implies that no fresh air has circulated through the house since the death of her grandmother, as it was locked. But, the poet is so desperate to visit that house that she would even be happy to stand there and feel the frozen air which would remind her of her grandmother. Next, the poet says that she wishes to “pick up an armful of darkness” and take it back to her distressed life. This line signifies that her present life is so chaotic that even a pinch of darkness from her beloved grandmother’s house might provide her with security and warmth.

In the final lines, she addresses her husband as ‘ darling ‘ and tries to tell the readers that her marriage life is a turmoil and she no longer finds her happiness behind the closed doors. She tells her husband that he could never believe that his wife once found happiness in the small house of her grandmother. In that house, she was very much loved and felt proud. Here, the poet tries to provide a fantastic contrast to her present life, where there is no one to provide her love. She adds that she is so desperate to be loved now that she has to beg at stranger’s doors asking for love. Her marriage no longer assures her security and love and therefore she reminisces her days at her grandmother’s house when she was loved beyond any comparison. All she is now left with are memories of the past.

‘My Grandmother’s House’ was first published in the poet’s anthology named ‘Summer Time in Calcutta’. It is an autobiographical poem, like most of her other poems, where she talks about her personal life.

The poem is quite a distressed one, which radiates pain of the author. Kamala Das known for her boldness, openly talks about her loveless marriage through this poem. She has mentioned that she does not receive love from her marriage anymore, and therefore she longs to go back to her grandmother’s house. She goes back to her grandmother’s house in her memories and describes its environment in the poem. However, the descriptions of the house point it out as a horrible scenario with snakes crawling everywhere. The house has lost its charm and soul after the death of poet’s grandmother. Even though the house is a horrible mess now, still the poet finds solace in that house, rather than in the loveless marriage where she is struck. It is because of her depressed life in her husband’s house, that makes her reminiscence of her childhood house. She uses it as an escape from her unhappy reality.

It can be said that Kamala Das had a pretty miserable life where she was deprived of love and care. Therefore, she tried to lighten her pain by recollecting memories of her favorite place. The theme of the poem is a bit sorrowful, and beams of grief can be experienced. Anyway, it is an interesting one where we can relate with the poet. Reminiscence of childhood days is something that we all do, and therefore we can relate with the poet through the poem.

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Indian english history, poem my grandmother's house: summary and critical appreciation, summary of the poem:.

The poetess remembers passionately her family home in Malabar where she spent some years of her early life under the great affection of her grandmother. The poetess's grandmother was great fond of her. She liked the company of her grandmother. She spent some of the happiest year in her grandmother's company. The poetess had gone to live in a different city which was quite far from grandmother's home. The poetess recalls her grandmother and the day she died. She (the poetess) was very young at that time and did not know how to read the books which lay in the house. The death of her grandmother had robbed the little girl of her capacity to feel. She was greatly shocked by the death of her grandmother.

Critical Appreciation: 

Introduction: .

The poem entitled  My Grandmother's House , has been taken from the first collection of Kamala Das' poems  Summer in Calcutta   published in 1965. This poem deals with the poetess's nostalgic yearning for her family home in Malabar, where she had spent some of the most memorable and happy days of her life. This was the place where her old grandmother showered her with love and affection. In the poem she remembers both of them together, the old woman-her grandmother and the house in which she once lived. Even though the poetess lives in another city, far from her grand- mother's house, the memories of childhood, when she lived in the house are still alive. Her emotions overwhelm her. She indicates her agony by the use of ellipses. She portrays a very emotional picture in the expression "the house withdrew" as if the house were alive and could not bear to stay there anymore, as the one if loved had gone forever. 

Thought-Content: 

The poetess remembers her family home in Malabar where she spent some years of her early life in the affectionate and sheltering care of her grand- mother. She loved the poetess most. Now the poetess had gone to live in a different city, quite far from grandmother's home. But she wistfully remembers the family home where she lived as a girl, and her grandmother who showered love and affection on her. The poetess was very young at that time. There were a large number of books in the house, which seemed to be repulsive and horrible like snakes. The grandmother's death shocked her. She became cold and pale like the Moon. The poetess passionately yearns to go to the great house and to look once again through its windows which are blind. The house is now entirely deserted and no one can look through the windows. The poetess longs to sit there by herself and to listen to the dreary music of blowing cold winter winds, which would revive memories of her grandmother. At the end of her visit to the old family home she would like to return to her new home in a distant, far off place, but the painful memories of the bygone days would accompany her. She got love from her grandmother in her girlhood. Now she pines for love and begs it even from strangers.

The Theme of Unfulfilled Love: 

In this poem she speaks of her misfortune in not having received true love or affection from any man:  

The 'window' image in this poem is very remarkable and suggestive. It suggests a link between the past and the present. It also underlies the languishing desire of the poetess for a sentiment peep into her past and resurrection of her dreams and desires. The Grandmother's House is a symbolic retreat for the poetess to a world of innocence, purity. love and simplicity from a world of corruption, sterility exploitation and cunningness. It is a sanctuary of love which is conspicuous by its absence in the harsh world of reality. 

The Poetess’ Arousing Deep Sympathy: 

The poetess's life seems to be meaningless because she has always been deprived from true love. The sense of futility of life has most effectively been conveyed to us by this poem. There are some key phrases in the poem which convey us a sense of despair and the feeling of futility The house withdrew into silence, Just listen to the frozen air, And beg now at strangers' door. 

Style and Language: 

A powerful emotional effect has been achieved by the author by a use of minimum possible number, of words. The poetess has shown a remarkable capacity to avoid garrulity and copiousness. The poem is compact and well-knit so far as its structure is concerned. The style of writing here is terse. 'Cold like the Moon' is quite an appropriate Simile. 'An armful of darkness' is quite a satisfactory metaphor. 'Like a brooding dog' is a clumsy simile. The phrase 'in small change' is a metaphorical way of saying 'in a small quantity'.

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CRITICAL APPRECIATION OF “MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE” BY KAMALA DAS

There is a house now far away where once

  I received love…….That woman died,

The house withdrew into silence, Snakes moved

Among books, I was then too young

To read, and my blood turned cold like the moon

How often I think of going

There, to peer through blind eyes of window or

just listen to the frozen air,

Or in wild despair, pick an armful of

Darkness to bring it here to lie

Behind my bedroom like a brooding

Dog…..you cannot believe, darling,

Can you, that I lived in such a house and

Was proud, and loved…..I who have lost

My way and beg now at strangers’ doors to

Receive love, at least in small change?

INTRODUCTION TO MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE:

My Grandmother’s House is a poem written by a very famous Indian author Kamala Das. The poem ( My Grandmother’s House ) is written by Kamala in the memory of her grandmother. She mourns at her loss of her grandmother. She tells about how she spent her childhood with her grandmother. Kamala Das considered those memories to be the best in her life and she desires to get them. She also grieves about her loss. The poem is of 16 lines and has been written in free verse.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR OF MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE:

Kamala Das also known as Kamala Suraiyya was an Indian author and leading Malayalam author. She was born on 31 March, 1934 in Kerala. She was born in India when there was British. She grew up in Calcutta. She always stood up and speak against domestic violence, marital problems, sexual oppression and about prostitute in more than 20 books. Her famous works are Padmavati the Harlot , My story , A Doll for Child Prostitute . She was rewarded with many awards like Vayalar Award, Varkey Award, Kerela Sahitya Akademi Award for Story, Muttathu Varkey Award and more. She died on 31 May, 2009 in Pune, Maharashtra.

CRITCAL APPRECIATION OF MY GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE:

The poem “My Grandmother’s House” has been composed by Kamala Das. The poem first appeared in first anthology of canto titled Summer Time of Kamala Das in Calcutta (1905). The poem has been written in an autobiographical tone. The poetess is longing for her grandmother’s house in Malabar. She is reminded of the familial house where she has received immense love affection from her grandmother. The poetess seems very emotional, when she recalls the old days related to her grandmother.

The poetess was deeply and emotional attached with her grandmother. The poem discloses poet’s unfulfilled desire to visit her grandmother’s house. After the death of her grandmother, the house is ruin and sank in gloom. All the member of the house distant themselves and the very house became an isolated place.

The poetess is not at all happy with her present life and her loveless marriage. Her loveless marriage reminded her of her grandmother’s pure and selfless love. She wanted to make her husband understand and know about the prosperous and happy past. She was longing a small amount of love so that she can lead a happy life. She has openly expressed her grief and sincere confession of the poetess makes the poem more unique. The image of her grandmother’s house has stuck in her mind.

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Central theme of poem My Grandmother’s House by Kamala Das

Table of Contents

“My Grandmother’s House” is a poignant and evocative poem written by Kamala Das, one of India’s most prominent poets in English. The main themes of nostalgia and the longing for one’s heritage and cultural identity are explored in this poetry. Kamala Das adeptly captures her strong bond with her grandmother’s home and her desire to relive her early years through rich pictures, feelings, and sensory aspects.

Nostalgia and Emotional Resonance:

The central theme of “ My Grandmother’s House ” is nostalgia, which is a sentiment that pervades the entire poem. Kamala Das reminisces about her childhood, a time spent at her grandmother’s house, and the emotions associated with it. This theme resonates with readers on a universal level as most people can relate to the bittersweet feeling of longing for the past and the places and people associated with it.

Readers are moved to great emotional depth by Kamala Das’s words. She describes her grandmother’s home as being “guarded by giant ants,” and she has deep recollections of it. The house evokes strong feelings in people because it represents a haven of love, cosiness, and belonging.

Cultural Identity and Roots:

The poem also explores the theme of cultural identity and roots. Kamala Das, who is known for her honest and sometimes controversial writings, uses this poem to reflect on her cultural heritage. Her grandmother’s house represents a cultural hub, a place where traditions, customs, and values were preserved and passed down through generations.

The use of words like “granite gods,” “we are shouting to make them hear,” and “my grandmother’s house stands still” suggests a connection to cultural and ancestral roots. The house serves as a metaphor for the enduring spirit of tradition and cultural identity. The poet longs to reconnect with her roots, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation.

Memories and the Passage of Time:

“Memory in this poem is a powerful theme. Kamala Das beautifully captures the idea that memories are like ghosts, haunting the present and reminding us of the past. She remembers the “giant ants” that guarded her grandmother’s house, signifying that these memories are ageless, timeless, and indestructible.

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The poet reflects on how time has passed, and the house itself might have changed, but the memories remain intact. Her memories are as vivid as the “peacock-blue” room and the “floor of sugarcanes.” The central theme of memories and the passage of time prompts readers to reflect on their own experiences and the way they cling to their own memories, no matter how much time has elapsed.

The Symbolism of the House:

Kamala Das uses the house as a powerful symbol in the poem. The house represents not only her grandmother’s physical dwelling but also her cultural heritage and identity. The house stands as a testament to tradition and the enduring nature of memories. The symbolism of the house as a repository of emotions and cultural values amplifies the central theme of nostalgia and the yearning for one’s roots.

The house is also portrayed as a place of refuge and comfort. The poet remembers it as a sanctuary where she felt loved and secure. In this way, the house becomes a symbol of emotional sanctuary and a source of strength, emphasizing the profound emotional connection Kamala Das has with it.

Imagery and Sensory Details:

Kamala Das employs vivid imagery and sensory details to convey the central theme effectively. The descriptions of the “peacock-blue” room, “the warping verandah,” and the “sugarcanes” under the floor evoke a sense of place and nostalgia. Readers can visualize and feel the textures, colors, and scents of the house, making the poem emotionally resonant.

The use of sensory imagery helps readers connect with the poet’s emotions and her yearning for the past. The poem’s central theme is enriched by these sensory details, as they transport readers to the world of the grandmother’s house and the memories associated with it.

The Poet’s Desire to Recapture the Past:

Throughout the poem, Kamala Das expresses her longing to recapture the past. She laments the fact that she is now “afraid to go home” because the place has lost its former glory, and she is unable to relive the memories of her childhood. This sense of loss and yearning reinforces the central theme of nostalgia.

Her desire to return to her grandmother’s house and relive the moments of her childhood highlights the universal human experience of wanting to revisit the past, a time when everything was simpler, and life was filled with the innocent joys of youth.

The Conflict Between Past and Present:

The conflict between the past and the present is another theme that emerges in the poem. Kamala Das grapples with the changes that have occurred over time, transforming her grandmother’s house from a sanctuary of love and warmth into a place that is no longer the same. This conflict between past and present is a common human experience, and it underscores the theme of nostalgia.

The poet’s struggle to reconcile her memories with the reality of the present resonates with readers who have faced similar challenges in their own lives. It highlights the complexity of nostalgia, where the past is often idealized, and the present can seem lacking in comparison.

The Role of Family and Relationships:

Family and relationships are integral to the central theme of “My Grandmother’s House.” Kamala Das’s recollections of her grandmother’s house are intertwined with memories of her family, particularly her grandmother. The poem depicts the strong emotional bonds that connect family members and the significance of these bonds in shaping one’s sense of belonging and cultural identity.

The poet’s longing for her grandmother’s house is, in essence, a longing for the warmth, love, and security that her family provided. The theme of family and relationships adds depth to the poem and reinforces the idea that our connections with our roots are deeply emotional and impactful.

Universal Appeal:

One of the striking aspects of this poem is its universal appeal. While Kamala Das writes about her personal experiences and feelings, the theme of nostalgia and the yearning for one’s roots resonate with readers from diverse cultural backgrounds. The poem reminds us that, regardless of our individual experiences, we all share the common human experience of longing for the past and the places and people that have shaped us.

Kamala Das’s “My Grandmother’s House” is a poignant and emotionally charged poem that revolves around the central theme of nostalgia and the yearning for one’s cultural roots. Through her vivid imagery, sensory details, and profound emotional resonance, the poet transports the reader to her grandmother’s house, where memories of her childhood are deeply etched in her heart. The poem captures the universal experience of longing for the past, a time when life was simpler and more innocent, and the places and people associated with it held profound significance.

Kamala Das employs the house as a potent metaphor, signifying not just her actual residence but also her cultural background and sense of self. It is evidence of custom and the persistent quality of recollections. The tension between the past and the present highlights the intricacy of nostalgia, as the former is frequently romanticised and the latter can appear deficient in contrast.

Readers who have encountered such difficulties in their own lives can relate to the poet’s wish to relive the past and her battle to balance her recollections with the reality of the present. The poem gains depth from the issue of family and relationships, which emphasises the importance of emotional ties in forming a person’s sense of cultural identity and belonging.

What makes “My Grandmother’s House” truly remarkable is its universal appeal. While Kamala Das writes about her personal experiences and feelings, the theme of nostalgia speaks to readers from various cultural backgrounds, reminding us of our shared human experience of longing for the past and the places and people that have shaped us.

In essence, “My Grandmother’s House” is a timeless and relatable piece of literature, where Kamala Das’s skillful expression of the theme of nostalgia through her poetic language makes it a profound and evocative work that resonates with the hearts and memories of all who read it.

Q. What is the central theme of Kamala Das’s poem “My Grandmother’s House”?

The central theme of the poem is nostalgia and the yearning for one’s cultural roots and the memories associated with the past.

Q. How does Kamala Das evoke emotions through her poem “My Grandmother’s House”?

Kamala Das evokes emotions by using vivid imagery, sensory details, and personal reminiscences of her childhood, creating a deep emotional connection with the reader.

Q. What does the house symbolize in the poem?

The house symbolizes not only the physical dwelling but also cultural heritage, tradition, and enduring memories. It is a representation of the poet’s emotional sanctuary and cultural identity.

Q. How does the conflict between past and present play a role in the poem?

The conflict between past and present is evident in the poem as Kamala Das laments the changes that have transformed her grandmother’s house, emphasizing the idealization of the past and the difficulty of reconciling it with the present.

Q. What universal human experience does the poem address?

The poem addresses the universal human experience of longing for the past, a time when life was simpler and more innocent, and the places and people associated with it held profound significance.

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My Grandmother’s House

Back to: Kamala Das Poetry

Table of Contents

Introduction

The poem My Grandmother’s House is written by Kamala Das . The poem has been written in the memory of her grandmother with whom she had spent her childhood.

The poet considers those moments to be the best moments of her life and desires to get them. She also mourns their loss. Like her poem An Introduction , this poem also falls into the category of confessional poetry .

Reminiscence

At the beginning of the poem, the poet says that there is a home that is now very far from her where she received love. It was the house of her grandmother in which she spent the days of her childhood.

However, that woman, (her grandmother) is dead now and the home “withdrew in silence” i.e. is without any life because her grandmother was the very soul of it.

Grandmother also had books which she could not read as he was quite young and she would read stories for her (poet). But now the snakes are moving in those books. All these things made the house quite horrible and the poet “like the moon” i.e. quite unhappy. She is now without any life and warmth.

The poet expresses her desire to go to her grandmother’s house because she is emotionally attached to it since her childhood . She wants to look through the “blind eyes of windows” of her grandmother’s house.

The term “blind eyes of windows” means that there is no one (in other words, her grandmother) in the house to look for. She also desires to listen to “the frozen air” of that house. “Frozen Air” probably means that that the house is locked and the fresh air has not moved in.

In my views, the poet desires to move into her thoughts which are buried deep inside her heart and no air has blown into it. Thus the grandmother’s house here is rather a sweet memory that she wants to recall.

The poet further says that she wants to bring the darkness of her grandmother’s house with her “in wild despair” i.e. in her troubled life.

The line makes it clear that her grandmother was very protective. And now that she feels insecure, even the darkness of her grandmother’s house, which is though unpleasant like cold moon comforts her.

Begging for Love

In the final lines, the poet is in conversation probably with her husband or her readers. The poet says that one won’t believe that she had some of the best memories of her grandmother’s house and she is quite proud of it.

Now that she has lost her grandmother, she begs at strangers’ doors for love. She knows well that you won’t be able to get that much love but she still hopes for at least a part of it.

Hence the poet ends with hope and despair. In her poem, My Mother at Sixty-Six the poet is struggling with similar feelings. Please refer to this doc for further reading. Here are some important questions and answers to this poem .

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My Grandmother’s House – Summary and Some Questions and Answers

Published by sirafzal72 on july 7, 2021 july 7, 2021, my grandmother’s house by kamala das.

Introduction

‘My Grandmother’s House’ is one of the nostalgic poems first published in Summer in Calcutta. It is nostalgic because it portrays the happy, carefree days of the poetess when she was a child (before her marriage). She yearns for the return of those days. In Malabar, she used to live in the aristocratic parental home which was affectionately supervised by her grandmother. The permanent departure of the dear and near ones marks almost all her literary pieces, whose dominant mood is one of melancholy and pathos and nostalgia.

Summary of ‘The Grandmother’s House’

Kamala Das provides us detailed information regarding the genesis of this poem in Chapter 33 of her Autobiography, My Story. She writes:

“After the sudden death of my grand – uncle and then that of my dear grandmother the old Nalpat House was locked up and its servants disbanded. The windows were shut, gently as eyes of the dead are shut.

My parents took my great grandmother to the house called Sarvodaya where she occupied noiselessly the eastern bedroom on the ground floor, shaded by the tall mango trees through the leaves of which was visible the beloved house. The rats ran across its darkened halls and the white ants raised on its outer walls strange totems of burial.”

The grandmother has been a source of affection and inspiration to the poetess but her death has rendered her sorrow – stricken and desolate. The house looks totally deserted, now inhabited by snakes and rats. Kamala feels lonely and depressed. During one of her illness – during her nervous breakdown in the noisy city of Bombay – she had taken shelter in Malabar and nursed back to perfect health by her anxious grandmother, but, alas, she is now no more alive. The expression ‘blind eyes of windows’ and ‘the frozen air’ reinforce the idea of death and desperation.

The grandmother’s house is associated with an impenetrable sense of security and protection, which is now missing in her married life. Even the ‘darkness’ of the grandmother’s house was secure for her instead of terror or violence. Kamala Das rather wants that darkness to be lifted bodily and shifted to her new married home flooded with light (but with no security). She expresses this feeling of hers through an evocative image:

“Pick an armful of Darkness to bring it here to lie Behind n\my bedroom door like a brooding Dog …”

A ‘dog’ is a trusted companion keeping an unerring eye on the door to scare away the strangers and the enemies and to safeguard the inmates with all main and might.

The last few lines are addressed to the ‘darling’, i.e. her husband.

Kamala Das tells him that:

“I lived in such a house and Was proud, and loved …”

How nostalgic and pathetic these lines are! The sense of pride and love she once had in the house of her grandmother is now no more her property, since she has become a beggar for love who knocks helplessly at strangers’ doors to receive it at least in a small measure. She has lost her way in quest of true love. This situation is in utter contrast to her previous life lived in the soothing company of her grandmother. Kamala Das tells us that she has often remembered her with a sense of nostalgia and beggarliness. That her present life is sans love, sans pride, is emphatically conveyed by her begging for love at ‘strangers’ doors. There can possibly be no worse pathetic situation for a married woman than this.

Questions and Answers

1. What is Kamala Das’ profession? Ans. Housewife.

2. Name one more poem by Kamala Das where she fondly cherishes her childhood memories?

Ans. “A Hot Noon in Malabar”

3. Name the poetess’ grandmother’s house?

Ans. The name of the poetess’ grandmother is Nalpat House

4. Which expressions reinforce the idea of desperation?

Ans. The expression is ‘blind eyes of windows’ and ‘the frozen air’

5. Which feeling does the poetess miss in her married life?

Ans. The poetess misses the sense of security and protection.

6. Why has the poetess become a beggar for love?

Ans. She has become a beggar for love who knocks helplessly at strangers’ doors to receive it at least in a small measure.

7. How is the present life of the poetess?

Ans. Her present life is sans love, sans pride is emphatically conveyed by her begging for love at ‘strangers’ doors.

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My grandmother’s house – summary & analysis.

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My Grandmother’s House By Kamala Das

Table of Contents

Summary & Analysis

Summary “ My Grandmother‟s House ” is a constituent poem of Kamala Das ‟s maiden publication Summer in Calcutta. Though short, the poem wraps within itself an intriguing sense of nostalgia and uprootedness. In her eternal quest for love in such a „loveless‟ world, the poet remembers her grandmother which surfaces some emotions long forgotten and buried within her– an ironical expression of her past which is a tragic contrast to her present situation. It is a forcefully moving poem fraught with nostalgia and anguish.

The poet says that there is a house, her grandmother‟s home, far away from where she currently resides, where she “received love”. Her grandmother‟s home was a place she felt secure and was loved by all. After the death of her grandmother, the poet says that even the House was filled with grief, and accepted the seclusion with resignation. Only dead silence haunted over the House, feeling of desolation wandering throughout. She recollects though she couldn‟t read books at that time, yet she had a feeling of snakes moving among them– a feeling of deadness, horror and repulsion, and this feeling made her blood go cold and turn her face pale like the moon. She often thinks of going back to that Old House, just to peek through the “blind eyes of the windows” which have been dead-shut for years, or just to listen to the “frozen” air.

The poet also shows the ironical contrast between her past and present and says that her present has been so tormenting that even the Darkness of the House that is bathed in Death does not horrify her anymore and it is a rather comforting companion for her in the present state of trials. The poets says that she would gladly (“in wild despair”) pick up a handful of Darkness from the House and bring it back to her home to “lie behind my bedroom door” so that the memories of the Old House and its comforting darkness, a rather ironical expression, might fill assurance and happiness in her present life.

She wraps up the poem saying that it is hard for one to believe that she once lived in such a house and was so loved by all and lived her life with pride. That her world was once filled with happiness is a sharp contrast to her present situation where she is completely devoid of love and pride. She says that in her desperate quest for love, she has lost her way; since she didn‟t receive any feelings of love from the people whom she called her own, she now has to knock “at strangers’ doors” and beg them for love, if not in substantial amounts, then atleast in small change i.e. in little measure atleast.

The poet has intensified the emotions of nostalgia and anguish by presenting a contrast between her childhood and her grown-up stages. The fullness of the distant and absence and the emptiness of the near and the present give the poem its poignancy. The images of “snakes moving among books”, blood turning “cold like the moon”, “blind eyes of window”, “frozen air”‟ evoke a sense of death and despair. The house itself becomes a symbol – an Ednic world, a cradle of love and joy. The escape, the poetic retreat, is in fact, the poet‟s own manner of suggesting the hopelessness of her present situation. Her yearning for the house is a symbolic retreat to a world of innocence, purity and simplicity

My Grandmother’s House” – Kamala Das – Critical Summary

Kamala Das is one of the three most significant Indian poets writing in English today, the other two being Nissim Ezekiel and Ramanujan. Her poetry is all about herself, about her intensely felt desire for love, for emotional involvement, and her failure to achieve such a relationship. In this poem, “My Grandmother‟s House” Kamala Das, recalls her ancestral home and her dead grandmother. This poem takes the form of a confession comparing her present broken state with that of being unconditionally loved by her grandmother.

Themes in the Poetry of Kamala Das:

The poetry of Kamala Das is a search for the essential woman, and hence the woman persona of her poems plays the various roles of unhappy woman, unhappy wife, mistress to lusty men, reluctant nymphomaniac, silent Devdasi and love-lorn Radha. Kamala Das has also been called a poet in the confessional mode. The confessional poets deal with emotional experiences which are generally taboo. There is a ruthless self-analysis and a tone of utter sincerity. As E.V.Ramakrishnan rightly says, “In her poetry, Kamala has always dealt with private humiliations and sufferings which are the stock themes of confessional poetry.”

Reminiscent of the Poet’s Ancestral Home:

The poem is a reminiscence of the poetess‟ grandmother and their ancestral home at Malabar in Kerala. Her memory of love she received from her grandmother is associated with the image of her ancestral home, where she had passed some of the happiest days of her life, and where her old grandmother had showered her love and affection. With the death of her grandmother the house withdrew into silence. When her grandmother died, even the house seemed to share her grief, which is poignantly expressed in the phrase “the House withdrew”. The house soon became desolate and snakes crawled among books. Her blood became cold like the moon because there was none to love her the way she wanted.

Yearning for the Past: Choked with Grief:

The poet now lives in another city, a long distance away from her grandmother‟s house. But the memories of her ancestral house make her sad. She is almost heart-broken. The intensity of her emotions is shown by the ellipses in the form of a few dots. Now, in another city, living another life, she longs to go back. She understands that she cannot reclaim the past but she wants to go back home, look once again through its windows and bring back a handful of darkness – sad and painful memories, which she would have made her constant companion, to keep as a reminder of her past happiness. The poet is unable to proceed with her thoughts for sometime as is indicated by the ellipses (dots).

The poet is now choked with the intensity of grief. She yearns for love like a beggar going from one door to another asking for love in small change. Her need for love and approval is not satisfied in marriage and she goes after strangers for love at least in small quantity. But she does not get it even in small change or coins. Her love-hunger remains unsatisfied, and there is a big void, a blank within her, she seeks to fill up with love but to no avail. The image of the window is a link between the past and the present. It signifies the desire of the poet for a nostalgic peep into her past and resurrect her dreams and desires.

The poem springs from her own disillusionment with her expectation of unconditional love from the one she loves. In the poem, the image of the ancestral home stands for the strong support and unconditional love she received from her grandmother. The imagery is personal and beautifully articulates her plight in a loveless marriage. Thus, the old house was for her a place of symbolic retreat to a world of innocence, purity and simplicity, an Edenic world where love and happiness are still possible.”

Kamala Das recalls her ancestral house that was filled with the all-pervading presence of her grandmother And this is why her grandmother‟s house is singular: Kamala Das received „love‟ there. When the poetess speaks of „love‟ in particular she ascertains that it is unconditional and selfless. With the death of the Grandmother, the house ceased being inhabited. It now became an isolated and remote entity, echoed by the phrase „far away.‟ The poetess asserts that with the death of her grandmother silence began to sink in the house. Kamala Das, at that juncture, was too small to read books, but emotional enough to comprehend the true feeling of love.

With the death of the Grandmother, her life that was hitherto filled only with emotions becomes numb. Her veins thus become cold rather than warm. It is as cold as the moon, the moon being an emblem of love. The worms on the books seem like snakes at that moment, in comparison to the size of the little girl; and in keeping with the eeriness of the situation.

The poetess also implies that the deserted house is like a desert with reptiles crawling over. The poetess now longs to „peer‟ at a house that was once her own. She has to peek through the „blind eyes‟ of the windows as the windows are permanently closed. The air is frozen now, as contrasted to when the grandmother was alive-the surroundings were filled with the warmth of empathy. Kamala Das pleads with us to “listen” to the “frozen” air; that is an impossibility. Neither is the air a visual medium, nor can air cause any displacement because it is “frozen”. It is an example of synesthesia.

In wild despair, she longs to bring in an “armful of darkness.” Note firstly, that it is not a „handful‟ but an armful. Secondly, „darkness‟ that generally has negative shades to it, has positive connotations here of a protective shadow. It also reflects the „coziness‟ inside the house.This armful of darkness is her essence of nostalgia. With this piece of darkness, she can lie down for hours, like a brooding dog behind the door, lost in contemplation.

The speaker claims that in her quest for love she had now become wayward. The poetess speaks to her husband that she who is now thirsty for genuine love, received at one point in her life, absolute love in the form of her grandmother. Ironically, she addresses her husband as “Darling”, and talks of the lack of love in her life in the same breath and tone.

Her pursuit of love has driven her to the doors of strangers to receive love at least in the form of „a tip.‟ Previously she was „proud‟, as she did not have to compromise on her self-respect. Now she has to move in the maze of male monopolistic chauvinism, and beg for love in the form of change

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Kamala Das | My Grandmother’s House | Analytical Study

Kamala Das Poem ‘My Grandmother’s House’-An Analytical Study

“My Grandmother’s House” a poem by Kamala Das deals with the themes of loss, nostalgia, and the yearning for a place of love and belonging. . The poem reminisces about a house where the speaker once received love from her grandmother. However, after her grandmother’s death, the house turned silent, and the speaker’s connection to it was disrupted. The house, now distant and filled with snakes and unread books, becomes a symbol of the loss of love and security the speaker once felt. The nostalgia for the past intensifies as the speaker longs to revisit the house, even if only to peer through the windows or listen to the frozen air. The poem also delves into the speaker’s current state of feeling lost and displaced, seeking love and comfort from strangers.

Kamala Das employs a variety of stylistic techniques to convey the emotions and themes in “My Grandmother’s House.” The poem is written in free verse, lacking a fixed rhyme scheme or meter. This choice of form allows for a natural flow of thoughts and emotions, reflecting the speaker’s introspective and contemplative mood.

The use of vivid imagery is prominent throughout the poem. The image of snakes moving among books symbolizes the disruption of love and knowledge after the grandmother’s passing. The comparison of the speaker’s blood turning cold like the moon adds a sense of isolation and emotional detachment.

The repetition of the phrase “That woman died” emphasizes the impact of the grandmother’s death and its lasting effect on the speaker’s emotions and memories. The repetition also reinforces the sense of loss and the longing to return to the past.

The use of contrasts, such as the juxtaposition of the house filled with love in the past and the speaker’s current state of seeking love from strangers, creates a poignant effect. It highlights the transformation in the speaker’s life and her yearning for a time when love was abundant.

The concluding lines, with the speaker begging for love at strangers’ doors, leave a lasting impression on the reader, emphasizing the extent of the speaker’s emotional displacement and the longing for the love and belonging she once experienced in her grandmother’s house.

After all, “My Grandmother’s House” is a poignant and reflective poem that combines powerful imagery with skillful use of repetition and contrasts to explore themes of loss, nostalgia, and the search for love and belonging. 0 0 0 .

Kamala Das My Grandmother’s House Analytical Study

N. B. The article ‘Kamala Das My Grandmother’s House Analytical Study’ originally belongs to the book ‘ Analytical Studies of Selected Indian English Poems ‘ by Menonim Menonimus.

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My Grandmother’s House Poem Summary in English and Hindi by Kamala Das

My Grandmother’s House Poem Summary in English and Hindi Pdf. My Grandmother’s House Poem is written by Kamala Das. Learncram.com has provided My Grandmother’s House Poem Objective Questions and Answers Pdf, Poem Ka Meaning in Hindi, Poem Analysis, Line by Line Explanation, Themes, Figures of Speech, Critical Appreciation, Central Idea, Poetic Devices.

Students can also check  English Summary  to revise with them during exam preparation.

My Grandmother’s House by Kamala Das About the Poet

Kamala Das born on (March 31, 1934). She was a poet and short story writer. She has earned respectable place in both the English and Malayalam literature. Her autobiography published in 1976, created quite a stir. In 1984, she was shortlisted for the Noble Prize for literature. Her important volumes of verse in English include Summer in Kolkata (1963), Siren (1964), The Descendents (1967), The Old Play House and other poems. Kamala Das’s poetry is primarily autobiographical and her theme is love of a lonely heart love with never ending passion, just, greed and hunger that never satiate. Kamala Das reveals a commendable mastery of phrase and control over rhythm. The words are often painted and the rhythm is marvelously, almost feverously alive.

My Grandmother’s House Written by Kamala Das Introduction to the Poem

The poem “My Grandmother’s House” is a wonderful creation by “Kamala Das”. In this poem, Kamala Das, the speaker explained in her autobiography as to how she lived when she was too young. She has written about the grandmother’s house. She also used to live with her grandmother in that house.

My Grandmother’s House Poem Summary in English

The poem “My Grandmother’s House” is a wonderful creation by “Kamala Das”. She has written about the grandmother’s house. She also used to live with her grandmother in that house. When she was young in the house she was very beautiful. Her grandmother’s house was also very decent and comfortable. There she and her grandmother lived a very happy life.

Everything around that very house was good. But when her grandmother died and the speaker lived in another place, the house became in bad condition. Everywhere that house became in pitiable condition. Bushes grew around when the speaker went there to see the house. When she reached there she was warmly welcomed. She saw her house damaged. A strong feeling caught her mind. Everything was changed when she went there but still she was proud because when she reached there she was received warmly which she got at stranger’s door.

In this poem, Kamala Das, the speaker explained in her autobiography as to how she lived when she was too young.

My Grandmother’s House Poem Summary in Hindi

In this poem ‘My Grandmother’s House Kamala Das ने इसमें अपनी दादी के घर के बारे में लिखा है। वह भी अपनी दादी के साथ उसी घर में रहती थी। जब वह जवान थी तो वह बहुत सुंदर थी, उसका घर भी बहुत सुन्दर था, जहाँ वह अपनी दादी के साथ सुखी जीवन बिता रही थी। घर के चारों तरफ बहुत ही सुन्दर दृश्य था । लेकिन जब उसकी दादी की मृत्यु हुई और जब वह दूसरी जगह रहने लगी तो घर की हालत बहुत ही बुरी हो गयी। घर के चारों तरफ की हालत बहुत ही दयनीय थी। इसके चारों तरफ झाड़ियाँ उग गई थीं।

जब कवयित्री अपना घर देखने गई तथा वह वहाँ पहुँची, उन्हें पुराना प्यार और स्मृतियाँ याद आ गयीं। उसने अपने घर को क्षतिग्रस्त देखा। उसका दिमाग झनझना गया । जब वह वहाँ पहुँची सब कुछ बदल गया था। लेकिन फिर भी वह अपने घर पर घमंड कर रही थी क्योंकि जब वह वहाँ पहुँचती थी उसे हमेशा वे बातें याद आ जाती थीं जो उसे अपनी दादी से मिलती थीं। उसका नवावांतुक के रूप में पराए व्यक्तियों का प्रेम एवं अपूर्व स्वागत भी प्राप्त होता था।

इस कविता में कमला दास अपनी जीवनी के बारे में बता रही थीं कि उन्होंने अपना जीवन कैसे बिताया जब वे छोटी थीं।

What is the central idea of the poem my grandmother’s house?

The basic theme is that of lost love, with the speaker bemoaning the fact that once she lived in a house where she was loved, but now her circumstances mean that she has no love in her life.

What does the grandmother house represent?

The house represents the feeling of love which the speaker could get from her grandmother. But, now the house is silent. The poem moves through the happy past and sad present. The poet uses the image of snakes moving among the books now for which she was too younger in her childhood.

Which type of poem is my grandmother’s house?

The poem, ‘My Grandmother’s House’, first appeared in Kamala Das’s first anthology of verse titled Summer Time in Calcutta (1965). It is also an autobiographical poem in which the poet’s longing for her parental house in Malabar is movingly described.

How does the poem my grandmother’s house End 1 point?

The poet says that one won’t believe that she had some of the best memories of her grandmother’s house and she is quite proud of it. Now that she has lost her grandmother, she begs at strangers’ doors for love. … Hence the poet ends with hope and despair.

Why does the poet want to visit her grandmother’s house?

A1. Why does the poet want to go back to her Grandmother’s house? Kamala Das wants to go back to her grandmother’s house because she received love from that house in the past. She believes that by going back she can revive and relive those happy memories.

My Grandmother’s House Summary

“My Grandmother’s House” is a poignant poem by Kamala Das that reflects on the poet’s deep emotional connection to her grandmother’s home. My Grandmother’s House Poem through vivid descriptions and evocative language, the poem explores themes of nostalgia and the enduring influence of cherished memories. Read More Summaries Class 8 English Summaries .

My Grandmother’s House Summary in English

The poetess recalls the house where she once used to live with her grandmother who was very fond of her and from whom she used to receive a lot of love. The grandmother had died, and the house had then ceased(stopped) to be inhabited by any body.

The poetess was in those days a little girl and did not even know how to read the books which lay in the house. The death of her grandmother had made the little girl lose her capacity to feel. It had seemed to her that the blood in her veins was no longer warm but had turned cold, as cold as the moon.

The poetess now often thinks of going to that house in order to look at the things inside it through the windows; but the windows being closed she would not be able to see anything lying inside, and would be able only to experience a feeling of utter hopelessness, and then to gather some of the darkness from that place and bring it with her to her bedroom where she would merely lie down to meditate upon her memories of the past.

Addressing her husband, Kamala Surayya says that he would perhaps not be able to believe that she had lived in such a house, had felt proud of herself, and had received the love of someone (namely her grandmother). She no longer receives any love from anybody. Now she seeks love like a beggar from strangers, and she would feel consoled even if she gets a small measure of love from somebody

Conclusion:

In conclusion, Kamala Das’s “My Grandmother’s House” paints a vivid picture of the poet’s longing for the warmth and comfort of her childhood home, emphasizing the timeless allure of cherished memories. My Grandmother’s House Summary through this evocative poem, Das reminds us of the enduring power of nostalgia and the deep emotional bonds we share with the places that shaped our past.

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