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The Portrait of the Lady by Khushwant Singh is a nostalgic story about the author's relationship with his grandmother, highlighting themes of love, tradition, modernization, and the passage of time.
What does the title The Portrait of the Lady signify?
The title metaphorically represents a vivid character sketch of the grandmother. The author’s description of her personality, values, and lifestyle creates a lasting image of her in the reader’s mind.
What is the significance of the sparrows in the story?
The sparrows symbolize the grandmother’s connection with nature and her purity of soul. Their silent mourning at her death highlights their deep respect for her.
The Portrait of the Lady Class 11 English Summary
Check The Portrait of the Lady Class 11 English Summary" provides a deep insight into Khushwant Singh's touching story of love, tradition, and changing relationships over time.
Muskan Verma17 Mar, 2025
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The Portrait of the Lady is a heartwarming story written by Khushwant Singh, depicting his relationship with his grandmother over the years. The narrative focuses on the emotional and social transitions that occur in their bond as he grows from a child to an adult. This story beautifully captures the essence of unconditional love, traditions, and the passage of time. The Portrait of the Lady Class 11 English Summary aims to provide a detailed understanding of the story while incorporating key insights into the author's life experiences.
Summary of The Portrait of the Lady
The story begins with the author describing his grandmother, whom he had always seen as an old and wrinkled woman. He finds it difficult to believe that she was once young and beautiful. He paints a serene image of her with her white attire, silver hair, and peaceful demeanor. The author recalls how she played a significant role in his early years, taking care of him when his parents lived in the city.
His grandmother had a daily routine that involved waking him up, preparing him for school, and accompanying him to the temple-attached school. While he attended his classes, she read scriptures in the temple. After school, she would feed stale chapattis to the village dogs. Their bond was strong, and he was deeply attached to her.
However, the turning point in their relationship came when his parents called them to the city. The author enrolled in an English school, which his grandmother neither understood nor liked. She was displeased with the fact that the school did not teach about God but instead focused on Western education and science. Music lessons, in particular, upset her, as she associated them with a low social status. Over time, their interactions became limited, and their relationship grew distant.
When the author left for university, their bond weakened further. The grandmother spent most of her time spinning her wheel and feeding sparrows in the afternoon. Even when he decided to study abroad for five years, she did not express any sadness or disappointment but saw him off with a silent prayer and a forehead kiss.
Upon his return, he found that she looked just the same, with no visible signs of aging. Her happiest moment was the afternoon spent feeding the sparrows. That evening, she gathered neighborhood women and sang songs about the homecoming of warriors. The family asked her to stop, fearing she would exhaust herself, but she remained determined.
The next day, she fell ill with a mild fever. Though the doctor assured them it was nothing serious, she believed her time had come. She chose to spend her last hours praying instead of talking to her family. Eventually, she passed away peacefully while praying. Her body was covered in a red shroud as per customs, and when her family returned to her room after preparations for the funeral, they saw hundreds of sparrows gathered in silence. Even when offered food, they did not eat, symbolizing their deep grief and respect for the grandmother.
Themes in The Portrait of the Lady
Below, we’ve mentioned the themes used in the portrait of the lady:
Change in Relationships: The story highlights how relationships evolve with time. The close bond between the author and his grandmother weakens due to modernization and education.
Tradition vs. Modernity: The grandmother’s life symbolizes traditional values, while the author’s education represents modernization. This contrast creates a silent struggle in their relationship.
Love and Devotion: Despite changes, the grandmother’s love for her grandson remains unchanged. Her devotion to religious practices and simplicity reflects her unwavering beliefs.
Symbolism of Sparrows: The sparrows mourning her death highlight her deep connection with nature and the purity of her soul.
Significance of The Title
The title The Portrait of the Lady is metaphorical. The story is not about a literal painting but a vivid description of the grandmother’s personality and life, etched into the author’s memory. Khushwant Singh presents a moving and detailed character sketch of his grandmother, capturing her essence beyond her physical features.
The Portrait of the Lady Class 11 English Summary provides valuable insights into relationships, love, and life’s inevitable changes. The story beautifully portrays the contrast between traditional and modern values and how time alters human connections. Through the grandmother’s unwavering devotion to her beliefs and lifestyle, the author paints a touching picture of love, respect, and resilience.
Understanding stories like The Portrait of the Lady helps students appreciate literature’s depth and significance. With its emotional depth, symbolic elements, and universal themes, this story remains a timeless piece of Indian literature.
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