The poem - Two Mothers Remembered, by Joann Snow Duncanson, Paraphrasing, Central Idea, Summary, and Qs Ans

Poem "Two Mothers Remembered"

BY

Joann Snow Duncanson

9th class English (FBISE), Chapter 9, Travel and Tourism

National Book Foundation

1. Original Readings
I had two Mothers – two Mothers I claim,
Two different people, yet with the same name.
Two separate women, diverse by design,
But I loved them both because they were mine.

The first was the Mother who carried me here,
Gave birth and nurtured and launched my career.
She was the one whose features I bear,
Complete with the facial expressions I wear.

She gave her love, which follows me yet,
Along with the examples in life she set.
As I got older, she somehow younger grew,
And we’d laugh as just Mothers and daughters do.

But then came the time that her mind clouded so,
And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go.
So quickly she changed and turned into the other,
A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.

Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm’s length,
But now she was the child and I was her strength.
We’d come full circle, we women three,
My Mother the first, the second and me.

And if my own children should come to a day,
When a new Mother comes and the old goes away,
I’d ask of them nothing that I didn’t do.
Love both of your Mothers as both loved you.

2. Paraphrasing of the poem “Two Mothers Remembered” by Joann Snow Duncanson Line by line:

Stanza 1 (Introduction of Two Mothers)

“I had two Mothers – two Mothers I claim,”
👉 The poet says she feels as though she had two mothers in her life.

“Two different people, yet with the same name.”
👉 Both were called “Mother,” but they were not the same person in nature.

“Two separate women, diverse by design,”
👉 Each mother had her own personality and way of being.

“But I loved them both because they were mine.”
👉 She loved both versions because they were her mothers.

Stanza 2 (The First Mother – Biological Mother)

“The first was the Mother who carried me here,”
👉 The poet says that her first mother gave birth to her and brought her into the world.

“Gave birth and nurtured and launched my career.”
👉 She explains that this mother not only gave her life but also raised her and guided her at the beginning of her life journey.

“She was the one whose features I bear,”
👉 She says that she inherited her physical features from this mother.

“Complete with the facial expressions I wear.”
👉 She adds that even her facial expressions resemble those of her mother.

Stanza 3 (Love and Growing Relationship):

“She gave her love, which follows me yet,”
👉 The poet says that her mother’s love continues to stay with her even now.

“Along with the examples in life she set.”
👉 She adds that she still remembers the good examples and lessons her mother taught her in life.

“As I got older, she somehow younger grew,”
👉 She explains that as she grew older, her mother seemed to become more youthful in spirit.

“And we’d laugh as just Mothers and daughters do.”
👉 She describes how they shared happiness and laughter like any close and loving mother and daughter.

Stanza 4 (Change Due to Old Age):

“But then came the time that her mind clouded so,”
👉 The poet says that later her mother’s mind became confused and her memory began to fade.

“And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go.”
👉 She realized that she was gradually losing the mother she had always known.

“So quickly she changed and turned into the other,”
👉 She explains that her mother changed very quickly and became a different person.

“A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.”
👉 She explains that her mother changed very quickly and became a different person.

Stanza 5 (Role Reversal and Cycle of Life):

“Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm’s length,”
👉 The poet says that from a distance her mother still appeared to be the same person.

“But now she was the child and I was her strength.”
👉 She explains that their roles had reversed, as her mother became child-like and she had to support and care for her.

“We’d come full circle, we women three,”

👉 She suggests that life had come full circle, linking three generations of women.

“My Mother the first, the second and me.”
👉 She means that there were three women involved—the mother she once knew, the mother she later became, and herself as the daughter.

Stanza 6 (Message for the Future):

“And if my own children should come to a day,”
👉 The poet imagines a future time when her own children may face a similar situation.

“When a new Mother comes and the old goes away,”
👉 She refers to a time when she herself may change with age, just as her mother did.

“I’d ask of them nothing that I didn’t do.”
👉 She says that she would expect from her children only what she herself practiced.

“Love both of your Mothers as both loved you.”
👉 She asks them to love both versions of her, just as she loved both forms of her own mother.

3. Paraphrasing of the poem - Two Mothers Remembered, by Joann Snow Duncanson in a paragraph:

Stanza 1 (Introduction of Two Mothers)

I had two Mothers – two Mothers I claim,
Two different people, yet with the same name.
Two separate women, diverse by design,
But I loved them both because they were mine.

In the first stanza, the poet begins by saying that she was blessed with two mothers, both of whom she claims as her own. Though they were two different women with their own unique qualities and ways, they shared the same role of motherhood in her life. Despite their differences, she loved them both deeply because each was special to her in her own way.

Stanza 2 (The First Mother – Biological Mother)

The first was the Mother who carried me here,
Gave birth and nurtured and launched my career.
She was the one whose features I bear,
Complete with the facial expressions I wear.

In this stanza, the poet explains that her first mother was the one who gave birth to her and brought her into the world. This mother raised her with care, guided her in life, and helped her begin her life journey. From this mother, she inherited her physical appearance and even the expressions she shows on her face, carrying a strong resemblance to her.

Stanza 3 (Love and Growing Relationship):

She gave her love, which follows me yet,
Along with the examples in life she set.
As I got older, she somehow younger grew,
And we’d laugh as just Mothers and daughters do.

In this stanza, the poet says that her mother’s love has always stayed with her, along with the good values and examples she taught. As the poet grew older, her mother seemed to grow younger in spirit, and they shared laughter and happiness like any loving mother and daughter.

Stanza 4 (Change Due to Old Age):

But then came the time that her mind clouded so,
And I sensed that the Mother I knew would soon go.
So quickly she changed and turned into the other,
A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.

In this stanza, the poet describes a painful time when her mother’s mind began to weaken and her memory faded. She realized that she was slowly losing the mother she had always known. Her mother changed quickly and became like a different person, appearing familiar on the outside but feeling like a stranger inside.

Stanza 5 (Role Reversal and Cycle of Life):

Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm’s length,
But now she was the child and I was her strength.
We’d come full circle, we women three,
My Mother the first, the second and me.

The poet says that although her mother still looked the same from a distance, their roles had changed. Her mother became child-like, and the poet had to become her strength and caretaker. She feels that life had come full circle among three generations of women—the mother she once knew, the mother she became, and herself.

Stanza 6 (Message for the Future):

And if my own children should come to a day,
When a new Mother comes and the old goes away,
I’d ask of them nothing that I didn’t do.
Love both of your Mothers as both loved you.

The poet finally imagines a future when her own children face a similar situation in the future, she hopes they will also love her in both forms—the strong mother they knew in their childhood and the weaker mother of old age—just as she loved both versions of her own mother.

4.The Summary of the poem “Two Mothers Remembered” by Joann Snow Duncanson:

The poem “Two Mothers Remembered” by Joann Snow Duncanson beautifully describes the two different phases of a mother’s life as seen by her daughter. In the beginning, the poet remembers her first mother—the one who gave her birth, raised her with love, guided her with values, and shared joy and laughter with her as a friend. But with the passing of time, this mother changed due to old age and memory loss, becoming like a child who needed care and strength from her daughter. Though it was painful to see this change, the poet still loved her deeply. She realizes that life comes full circle, where mothers become like children and daughters become their support. In the end, she wishes that her own children will one day love both versions of her—the strong and the weak—just as she loved both of her mothers.

2. “Two Mothers Remembered” presents the poet’s deeply emotional experience of loving two versions of the same mother. The poet explains that although her mother changed with age and illness, she felt as if she had two mothers—one who raised her with love, guidance, and care, and another who became mentally weak and child-like over time. Despite this change, the poet continued to love both equally. As their roles reversed, the daughter became the caregiver, realizing that life had come full circle across generations. In the end, the poet reflects on the future and hopes that her own children will show her the same patience and love, loving both versions of her just as she loved both forms of her own mother.

5. The Central Idea / Theme of the poem “Two Mothers Remembered” by Joann Snow Duncanson:

👇Below are two different Central Idea:

1. The central idea of “Two Mothers Remembered” is the poet’s deep and compassionate reflection on love, motherhood, and the cycle of life. The poet presents the experience of having “two mothers” — one the strong, guiding mother of her childhood and the other the same mother transformed by age and illness. Although time and mental decline change her mother’s personality, the poet continues to love both versions with equal devotion. The poem emphasizes that true love is patient, selfless, and enduring, especially when roles reverse and a child must become the caregiver. It also highlights the natural cycle of life, where generations change places, and teaches a moral lesson of empathy and acceptance. Ultimately, the poet urges future generations to honour and love both the past and present forms of a parent, just as they were once loved in return.

2. The central idea of “Two Mothers Remembered” is the unchanging love between a mother and child, even as the mother goes through different stages of life. The poet lovingly recalls two versions of her mother—the first, a strong, caring, and nurturing woman who gave her birth, raised her, and taught her valuable lessons; and the second, an older and weaker version of the same mother, whose memory faded and who became dependent like a child. Although this transformation was painful to witness, the poet accepted both with the same affection and respect. The poem teaches us that true love and respect for parents should continue in every stage of their life, whether they are strong or dependent. It also carries the message that children should treat their mothers with the same devotion their mothers once showed them.

6. Poetic devices (figures of speech) used in the poem - Two Mothers Remembered, by Joann Snow Duncanson:

1. Repetition

The repetition of the word “Mother” emphasizes the poet’s deep emotional attachment and highlights the idea of having two mothers.

Example:
“I had two Mothers – two Mothers I claim,”

2. Metaphor

The poet uses metaphor to describe her mother as “a stranger”, showing mental and emotional change, not a physical one.
Example:
“A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother.”

3. Imagery

The poem creates clear mental pictures of motherhood, aging, and role reversal.
Example:
“Oh, she looked the same, at least at arm’s length,”

4. Paradox

The idea of a mother becoming like a child presents a paradox, showing the reversal of natural roles.
Example:
“But now she was the child and I was her strength.”

5. Symbolism

The “two mothers” symbolize the same person at two different stages of life.
Example:
The first mother symbolizes youth and guidance, while the second mother symbolizes old age and dependence.

6. Alliteration

Repetition of initial consonant sounds adds musical effect to the poem.
Example:
“Two different people” (repetition of ‘d’ sound)

7. Tone

The tone of the poem is loving, reflective, and emotional, showing care, patience, and acceptance.

8. Theme

Although not a device, the central themes support the poetic structure.

Themes include:

Unconditional love
Aging and role reversal
Mother-child relationship
Cycle of life

7. NBF Book Short-Answer Questions of The poem - Two Mothers Remembered, by Joann Snow Duncanson:

Q1. How are the two mothers different from each other?

Ans. The two mothers are different in their condition and role. The first mother is strong, caring, and mentally sound, while the second mother is the same woman changed by old age and illness, becoming weak and child-like.

Q2. What are the similarities between both?

Ans. Both mothers are the same person and share the same name and physical appearance. Most importantly, both love the speaker deeply and play the role of a mother in her life.

Q3. What did the first mother do to the speaker?

Ans. The first mother gave birth to the speaker, raised her with love and care, guided her in life, taught her values, and passed on her physical features and expressions to her.

Q4. Who was the speaker's second mother? Describe her briefly.

Ans. The speaker’s second mother was her own mother in old age, whose mind became clouded due to illness. Though she looked the same outwardly, she became mentally different and dependent, like a child.

Q5. What is the speaker's advice to her own children?

The speaker advises her children to love both versions of her if she ever changes with age, just as she loved both versions of her own mother.

Q6. Who are the three women referred to in the poem? Briefly describe them.

The three women are:

The first mother – the strong, loving mother of the poet’s childhood.
The second mother – the same mother in old age, weak and dependent.
The poet herself – the daughter who becomes a caretaker and represents the next generation.

8. Miscellaneous Short-Answer Questions of the poem - Two Mothers Remembered, by Joann Snow Duncanson:

Q: Who are the “two mothers” mentioned in the poem?

A: The “two mothers” are the same woman — the poet’s mother in two different stages of her life: one strong and caring, and the other weak and forgetful in old age.

Q: What did the first mother do for the poet?

A: The first mother gave birth to her, loved and cared for her, and taught her good values for life.

Q: How did the mother change later in life?

A: With old age and memory loss, the mother became weak and childlike, forgetting things and depending on her daughter for care.

Q: What does the poet mean by “a stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother”?

A: It means her mother looked the same outwardly but had changed completely inside because of illness.

Q: How did the roles between mother and daughter change?

A: The mother became like a child, and the daughter had to take care of her, becoming her strength and support.

Q: What message does the poet give her own children at the end of the poem?

A: She tells them to love both versions of their mother — the strong and the weak — just as she loved both of hers.

Q: What is the main feeling expressed in the poem?

A: The poem expresses deep love, care, and acceptance for a mother, even as she changes with time and age.

Q: What lesson does the poem teach us?

A: It teaches that children should always love and respect their parents, no matter how much they change with age.

Q: Why does the poet say life has come “full circle”?

A: Because the mother who once cared for her daughter now needed care from her daughter, completing the circle of life.

Q: What kind of relationship did the poet share with her mother before her illness?

A: They shared a close, loving, and joyful bond, often laughing and spending time together like friends.

9. Long-Answer Questions and Answers of the poem - Two Mothers Remembered, by Joann Snow Duncanson:

1. Q: Describe how the poet presents the idea of two mothers in the poem “Two Mothers Remembered.”

Ans:
In the poem “Two Mothers Remembered,” the poet Joann Snow Duncanson beautifully describes two versions of her mother. The first mother is the one who gave her birth, loved her deeply, and taught her how to live a good life. She was strong, caring, and full of warmth. Later, with age and memory loss, the same mother changed and became weak and childlike. Though she looked the same on the outside, her mind and behavior changed completely. The poet still loved her just as much as before. She realized that love does not depend on strength or memory, but on the bond between mother and child.

2. Q: How does the poet’s relationship with her mother change as time passes?

Ans:
At first, the poet’s relationship with her mother is full of love, laughter, and companionship. Her mother is her guide, teacher, and support. But with the passing of time, her mother grows old, her memory fades, and she becomes dependent on her daughter. The roles are reversed—the daughter now takes care of her mother just as her mother once cared for her. Although this change is painful, the poet continues to love and respect her. This shows the strength of a child’s love and the natural cycle of life.

3. Q: What message does the poem “Two Mothers Remembered” convey?

Ans:
The poem gives a touching message of love, patience, and respect for parents. It teaches that we should love our parents in every stage of their life — whether they are strong and healthy or weak and dependent. The poet reminds us that old age and illness may change a person’s appearance and behavior, but our love for them should never fade. She also wishes that her own children will love her the same way when she grows old. The poem inspires readers to care for their parents with kindness and gratitude.

4. Q: Explain how the poem shows the circle of life between mother and daughter.

Ans:
The poem clearly shows how life comes full circle between mother and daughter. When the poet was young, her mother took care of her, teaching her everything and giving her love and guidance. But when her mother became old and weak, the roles changed—the poet now became the caretaker, and her mother turned childlike. This reversal of roles shows that life repeats itself. The care once given by the mother is returned by the daughter. The poet understands this natural cycle and accepts it with love and tenderness.

5. Q: How does Joann Snow Duncanson express her emotions in the poem “Two Mothers Remembered”?

Ans:
The poet expresses her emotions in a very sincere and heartfelt way. She uses simple but powerful words to show her deep love for her mother. At first, her feelings are joyful and full of admiration for the mother who raised her. Later, when her mother grows old and forgetful, her emotions turn tender and sad. Even though it hurts to see her mother change, the poet’s love remains constant. Her feelings of care, gratitude, and understanding make the poem emotional and relatable for everyone who loves their parents.

10. MCQs – of the poem - Two Mothers Remembered, by Joann Snow Duncanson:

1. The poem “Two Mothers Remembered” is about:
A) Adoption
B) Loss of childhood
C) Love for two versions of a mother
D) Conflict between mothers
Correct Answer: C
2. Why does the poet say she had two mothers?
A) One was her aunt
B) One was her teacher
C) Her mother changed with age and illness
D) She was adopted
Correct Answer: C
3. What happened to the poet’s mother as she grew old?
A) She became strict
B) She moved away
C) Her mind became weak
D) She became angry
Correct Answer: C
4. “A stranger who dressed in the clothes of my Mother” means:
A) Her mother wore strange clothes
B) Her mother looked different
C) Her mother looked the same but was mentally changed
D) Someone replaced her mother
Correct Answer: C
5. What does “roles had reversed” refer to?
A) The mother became strict
B) The daughter became careless
C) The daughter cared for the mother
D) The mother left the house
Correct Answer: C
6. The poet hopes her children will:
A) Forget her old age
B) Fear her
C) Love both versions of her
D) Leave her alone
Correct Answer: C
7. The tone of the poem is:
A) Angry
B) Humorous
C) Loving and emotional
D) Fearful
Correct Answer: C
8. The poem mainly teaches the lesson of:
A) Discipline
B) Obedience
C) Unconditional love and patience
D) Ambition

Correct Answer: C

Vocabulary of Difficult Words of the poem - Two Mothers Remembered, by Joann Snow Duncanson:

Claim
Meaning: to say something belongs to you
Synonym: assert
Antonym: deny
Example: The poet claims both women as her mothers.
Diverse
Meaning: different in nature or qualities
Synonym: varied
Antonym: similar
Example: The two mothers were diverse in personality.
Nurtured
Meaning: cared for and raised with love
Synonym: raised
Antonym: neglected
Example: Her mother nurtured her with great care.
Features
Meaning: physical appearance or facial traits
Synonym: characteristics
Antonym: —
Example: She inherited her mother’s facial features.
Clouded
Meaning: confused or unclear
Synonym: blurred
Antonym: clear
Example: Her mother’s mind became clouded with age.
Sensed
Meaning: felt or realized
Synonym: perceived
Antonym: ignored
Example: She sensed that her mother was changing.
Stranger
Meaning: someone unknown or unfamiliar
Synonym: outsider
Antonym: familiar
Example: Her mother felt like a stranger to her.
Reversed
Meaning: changed in position or role
Synonym: switched
Antonym: unchanged
Example: Their roles were reversed with time.
Full circle
Meaning: returning to the starting point
Synonym: cycle
Antonym: progression
Example: Life had come full circle for the family.
Embrace
Meaning: to accept willingly and lovingly
Synonym: accept
Antonym: reject
Example: She embraced both versions of her mother.

**********************************************