The Portrait of a Lady - Summary & Important Questions

The Portrait of a Lady - Summary & Important Questions

Summary

Khushwant Singh very beautifully draws the portrait of his beloved grandmother. He tells us that his grandmother was a short and plump woman, who had firm faith in God. Though her face was full of wrinkles, and the thought that she was ever young was almost revolting to him, yet he says that she was the most beautiful and true soul in his life. Her hair was as white as snow. Reciting her rosary was her passion and she kept telling the rosary beads day and night. The author says, "She was like the winter landscape in the mountains and expanse of pure white serenity breathing peace and contentment."
                                                          About his grandfather’s portrait, he tells us that his grandfather appeared too old and it was unbelievable that he ever had a wife. He appeared to have only lots and lots of grandchildren. He further tells us that as his parents went to make a life in the city, he stayed behind with his grandmother; who used to bathe him, feed him and accompany him to the school. Then, he used to attend a village school, where a priest taught them alphabets and religion. His grandmother would read religious scriptures inside the temple and after dismissal of narrator’s class, both of them walked back home, feeding the stray dogs that met them on way.

Then, when Singh’s parents had settled in the city, they sent for him and his grandmother. This was a turning point in their friendship. The narrator started attending an English school but the grandmother never liked the way he was taught. Though Singh and his grandmother shared the same room, she was unable to help him because she never understood the English curriculum. Apart from this, she was also disappointed that he was learning music that she considered not for gentlefolk. When the narrator went to the University, he was given a separate room and the common link of their relationship snapped.

The grandmother engrossed herself completely in spinning the wheel from sunrise to sunset. Only during the afternoon she would relax by feeding the sparrows with little pieces of bread. They were her best friends and the sparrows also liked her company.
                                                          Later, when the narrator went abroad for higher studies for 5 long years, he was doubtful to see her again. He also thought that it might be the last physical contact between them, when she came to the railway station to see him off. But when he came back after 5 years, he was welcomed by his grandmother who was not grown a single day older. Singh notices that even at this time when everyone is joyful about his return, grandmother's happiest moment was with her sparrows. Later in the evening there was a change in her attitude. She celebrated the return of her grandson by collecting some women of neighbourhood and beating drum for several hours. It was the first time, when she did not pray.

The next morning, she was taken ill. It was a mild fever; the doctor suggested rest; however, grandmother was of different opinion. She told that she would die soon and she decides not to waste a single moment by talking, so she prayed. Quite suddenly, the rosary falls from her hand and she exhaled her last breath and it was clear that she was no more. After making the preparations for the funeral, the family members went to fetch her body for the last journey. The golden blaze of light of the setting sun glittered her room. And to pay the last homage to the grandmother, thousands of sparrows gathered in and around her room. The sparrows neither did cheer nor do anything normal. They didn't even bother to notice the bread crumbs thrown to them. Along with her funeral, the sparrows flew away.

Answer the following questions in your own words:-

1.      Notice the expressions in the text and infer their meaning:-

a.       Spotless white

b.       “the thought was almost revolting”

c.       An expanse of pure white serenity

d.      A turning point

e.       Accepted her seclusion with resignation

f.       A veritable bedlam of chirpings

g.      Frivolous rebukes

h.      The sagging skins of the dilapidated drum

2.      What changes came in the relationship of grandmother and narrator, when they shifted to the city?

3.      Why was Grandmother perturbed to know about the curriculum of Khushwant’s new school?

4.      Elaborate the relation of Grandmother with birds.

5.      City life is taking us far from the beauty of nature. Give a reasoned explanation.

6.      “Beauty lies in one’s heart.” Explain this statement in context to the story.

7.      What aspect is symbolized by Grandmother, Narrator and birds in the story?

8.      “Grandmother is a perfect figure whom we can look up to for inspiration, lessons and morals.” Elucidate.

9.      How did sparrows express their grief at the loss of heavenly soul of grandmother? Explain.

10.  Author’s grandmother was a true religious lady. Explain using original lines from the story in your answer.

Character Analysis

Regards

Sukhpreet Singh