CLASS: XI
BRIDGE COURSE DAY 11 & DAY 12
SUBJECT: ENGLISH (301)
NOTE: PLEASE DISCUSS THE CHAPTER THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY AT LENGTH AND THEN NOTE THE
FOLLOWING.
The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh is a poignant short story that beautifully captures the author's
memories of his grandmother. The narrative is structured around his observations of her physical
appearance, her unwavering religious devotion, and the deep bond they share, which gradually fades as he
grows up and their worlds drift apart.
Elaborate Summary:
The story revolves around the author’s grandmother, a deeply religious and dignified old woman. She is
described as being perpetually old, with a wrinkled face that holds a serene, timeless beauty. The narrator
recounts his childhood days when he lived with his grandmother, who played a significant role in raising him.
She would accompany him to school, assist him with his studies, and spend her time in devotion, prayer, and
feeding stray animals.
However, their relationship undergoes a transformation when the author moves to the city. His lifestyle
changes as he starts attending an English-medium school, where subjects like science and Western music
create a cultural gap between them. The grandmother, though disappointed, never complains openly. When
the narrator moves abroad for higher studies, their bond grows even weaker. Yet, upon his return, he is
surprised to see that she welcomes him back with an undiminished affection.
In the final moments of her life, the grandmother seemingly senses her time has come. She abandons
conversation and spends her last hours praying and singing hymns. Her death is serene and peaceful,
reinforcing the story’s theme of spirituality and quiet resignation to fate. A remarkable scene follows—after
her death, hundreds of sparrows gather around her lifeless body, mourning her loss in complete silence before
flying away.
Singh's portrayal of his grandmother is steeped in nostalgia, and his vivid descriptions emphasize her
resilience, devotion, and connection to nature. The story ultimately highlights the inevitable distance created
by modernity and changing lifestyles, yet it also emphasizes the quiet dignity with which one can accept the
passage of time.
1. How does the author describe his grandmother’s physical appearance?
2. What role did the grandmother play in the narrator’s early education?
3. What was unusual about the behavior of the sparrows after the grandmother’s death?
4. How does Khushwant Singh use symbolism to depict themes of loss and spirituality in the story?
5. How does the story reflect the gradual alienation of traditional values due to changing times?
Complete the Sentences Worksheet
1. The grandmother maintained her unwavering faith in traditions despite __________.
2. The author's description of his grandmother's final moments emphasizes the theme of __________.
3. The transition from village life to city life created a __________ between the grandmother and the
narrator.
4. The grandmother’s silent acceptance of change reflects her deep understanding of __________.
5. The significance of the sparrows gathering around the grandmother’s body suggests __________
rather than mere coincidence.
6. The grandmother’s resistance to the new education system was rooted in her belief that __________.
7. The narrator’s absence during his time abroad symbolizes __________ in the relationship between
generations.
8. The grandmother’s devotion to religion and prayer contrasts sharply with __________.
9. The final scene of the story reinforces the idea that spirituality transcends __________.
10. The sparrows leaving silently after the grandmother’s death highlights the theme of __________.
Answers (Suggested Interpretations):
1. Modernization and changing times
2. Spirituality and peaceful resignation to fate
3. Cultural and emotional gap
4. Life’s inevitable transformations
5. A symbolic farewell or mourning ritual
6. Traditional values should not be replaced by modern education
7. The widening emotional and generational distance
8. The narrator’s increasing exposure to Western culture and education
9. Physical existence and human emotions
10. Loss, reverence, and unspoken grief
