On Receipt of My Mother’s Picture Questions and Answers
Very Short Answer Questions
Who is the speaker in the poem?
The speaker is William Cowper, reflecting on the image of his deceased mother.
What is the main theme of the poem?
The main theme is grief and the longing for a lost loved one, especially the poet’s mother.
What is the speaker mourning in the poem?
The speaker is mourning the loss of his mother.
What triggers the speaker’s grief in the poem?
The receipt of his mother’s portrait triggers the grief.
How does the portrait affect the speaker?
The portrait brings back painful memories and revives his sorrow.
What does the speaker see in the portrait?
The speaker sees his mother’s smile and the familiar expression in her eyes.
What does the speaker long for after seeing the portrait?
The speaker longs to reunite with his mother in the afterlife.
What does the speaker wish about time?
The speaker wishes he could reverse time and relive the moments spent with his mother.
What is the significance of the phrase “Ah, that maternal smile”?
The maternal smile represents comfort and love from his mother, even after death.
What does the speaker imagine his mother’s spirit doing?
He imagines his mother’s spirit hovering over him and witnessing his sorrow.
What does the speaker ask about his mother’s awareness after death?
He wonders if his mother was aware of his tears when she died.
What is the “Elysian reverie” the speaker mentions?
It refers to a dreamy, idealized state where the speaker imagines his mother is still alive.
How does the speaker feel when he sees the portrait?
The speaker feels both joy and sorrow, remembering his mother’s love.
How does the speaker describe his childhood memories?
The speaker describes his childhood memories as full of love and comfort from his mother.
What does the speaker say about his mother’s constant love?
He praises her love as unchanging, gentle, and constant throughout his childhood.
What is the tone of the poem?
The tone is sorrowful, nostalgic, and deeply reflective.
How does the speaker view the passage of time?
The speaker sees time as something that cannot bring back lost moments but can only leave memories.
What is the “short-lived possession” the speaker mentions?
It refers to the time he had with his mother, which was brief in the grand span of life.
What does the speaker wish for at the end of the poem?
He wishes to meet his mother in the afterlife where there will be no more farewells.
What does the speaker think about life after death?
He believes that after death, there is peace and no more separation or sorrow.
What literary technique is used in “Ah, that maternal smile”?
It’s an example of apostrophe, where the speaker addresses the smile as though it were alive.
What does the speaker imply about memory?
The speaker implies that memory is a powerful tool that can keep a person’s love alive even after death.
What does the speaker mean by “Time has but half succeeded in his theft”?
He means that although time has taken away his mother, her love and memory still comfort him.
What is the speaker’s final attitude toward life?
The speaker expresses acceptance of his fate, while still yearning for his mother.
What metaphor is used in the poem to describe the mother’s soul?
The mother’s soul is compared to a gallant bark (ship) that reaches a peaceful shore.
How does the speaker feel about the separation from his mother?
The speaker feels deep sorrow and wishes for an eternal reunion in the afterlife.
What does the speaker mean by “The parting sound shall pass my lips no more”?
The speaker hopes for eternal union with his mother where there will be no more goodbyes.
What is the significance of the image of the “gallant bark” in the poem?
It symbolizes the mother’s soul crossing into the afterlife, where she finds peace.
What does the speaker consider his most proud inheritance?
The speaker takes pride in being the son of parents who are now in heaven.
How does the speaker feel about the portrait at the end of the poem?
He values the portrait as a lasting memory of his mother’s love, even though she is gone.
Short Answer Questions
What role does the portrait play in the speaker’s grief?
The portrait of the speaker’s mother acts as a powerful reminder of her love and affection, stirring up deep emotions. It brings back memories of his childhood, particularly the comfort he found in her smile and presence. The image acts as a trigger for his grief, intensifying his sense of loss and longing for her.
How does the speaker reflect on his childhood memories of his mother?
The speaker recalls his mother’s constant care and love, highlighting her acts of kindness such as comforting him at night and sending him off with treats in the morning. These memories are precious to him, and he treasures them even though they are tinged with sorrow now that she is gone. He sees these memories as a source of emotional solace.
What does the speaker mean by “Elysian reverie” in the poem?
The term “Elysian reverie” refers to a dream-like state of calm and peace. The speaker imagines himself in a serene, idealized world where his mother is still alive, offering him comfort. This momentary fantasy helps ease the pain of her loss and temporarily transports him back to a happier time.
Why does the speaker express a wish to reverse time in the poem?
The speaker wishes to reverse time in order to relive the moments of happiness with his mother. He wants to experience again the joy of being with her, particularly the simple moments of affection, such as playing with her flowers. However, he recognizes that while he might wish for this, it is not possible, and the reality of loss remains.
How does the poem express the theme of eternal love and memory?
The poem emphasizes the idea that love and memory outlast physical death. Although the speaker’s mother is gone, her love remains eternal in his heart. The memories of her kindness, smile, and soothing presence continue to comfort him, proving that the bond between mother and child does not end with death.
What is the significance of the “gallant bark” metaphor in the poem?
The “gallant bark” metaphor represents the mother’s soul, which, after weathering the storms of life, reaches a peaceful afterlife. The ship metaphor suggests a sense of calm and relief as she finds rest in a place free from pain and struggle. It also contrasts the speaker’s ongoing struggles in life, highlighting his longing for the same peace.
How does the speaker address the issue of farewell and separation in the poem?
The speaker expresses deep sorrow over the permanent separation from his mother, but he also finds solace in the belief that in the afterlife, there will be no more farewells. The phrase “The parting sound shall pass my lips no more” reveals his hope for an eternal reunion, where the pain of goodbyes will be erased.
What does the speaker mean by “short-lived possession”?
“Short-lived possession” refers to the brief time the speaker had with his mother. Despite the fleeting nature of their time together, the memories of her love remain with him, preserving the emotional bond. This phrase reflects the transient nature of life and the inevitable passage of time, yet it underscores the lasting impact of his mother’s affection.
Why does the speaker mention the idea of “disappointment” in the poem?
The speaker reflects on how, as a child, he repeatedly hoped for his mother’s return after her death, only to be disappointed each time. He acknowledges that he was deceived by the hope of her returning, a reflection of the confusion and heartbreak children often face when they lose a parent. Eventually, he learns to accept her absence, though he never forgets her.
How does the poem convey the speaker’s emotional journey from sorrow to acceptance?
The poem starts with intense grief as the speaker is overcome by the loss of his mother upon seeing her portrait. As he reflects on their memories, he experiences moments of joy and comfort. Ultimately, the speaker reaches a place of acceptance, recognizing that while his sorrow remains, he can find solace in the eternal bond of love and memory that transcends death.
