Khushwant Singh’s “The Portrait of a Lady” is a deeply personal and evocative narrative that transcends a simple biographical sketch, evolving into a poignant meditation on time, memory, and the enduring power of familial love. It’s a story told with quiet dignity and a profound sense of nostalgia, painting a vivid portrait of a grandmother whose life embodies simplicity, faith, and unwavering devotion.
The story begins in the author’s childhood, in the village, where his grandmother is a constant, reassuring presence. She is depicted as an elderly woman, her face a “criss-cross of wrinkles,” a testament to a long and lived life. Her appearance, often described as “spotless white,” reflects her inner purity and serenity. The grandmother’s days are marked by a rhythmic routine of prayer, scripture recitation, and tending to the author. She is a pillar of strength, taking care of his daily needs, from preparing his breakfast to accompanying him to the village school.
The village life is idyllic, characterized by a harmonious coexistence between the author, his grandmother, and the natural world. The grandmother’s unwavering faith is a central aspect of her character. Her lips are perpetually moving in silent prayer, and her rosary beads are always in her hands. This devotion isn’t presented as mere ritual; it’s an integral part of her being, a source of comfort and strength. Her concern for the animals, particularly the village dogs she feeds, further underscores her compassionate nature.
The narrative’s tone shifts when the author moves to the city for higher education. This transition marks the beginning of a gradual estrangement. The grandmother’s role changes; she can no longer accompany him to school, and the English education he receives is alien to her. The shared experiences of their village life are replaced by the impersonal environment of the city. The grandmother’s world shrinks, confined to her room, where she spends her time spinning and reciting prayers.
Despite the growing distance, the grandmother’s love remains steadfast. She accepts the changes with quiet resignation, finding solace in her faith. The only time she truly expresses joy is when she feeds the sparrows that gather around her in the courtyard. This act of kindness becomes a symbol of her enduring spirit, a connection to the natural world in the midst of the city’s isolation.
The author’s departure for university further widens the gap between them. The grandmother, though saddened, remains composed, bidding him farewell with silent prayers and kisses. This moment encapsulates her stoicism and unwavering love. Upon his return after five years, he finds her unchanged, still immersed in her prayers.
The grandmother’s final moments are depicted with poignant simplicity. She foretells her impending death, refusing to waste time talking. Instead, she continues her prayers, her lips moving in silent devotion. As the sparrows gather around her lifeless body, they remain silent, mirroring the grief and respect of the family. This symbolic act underscores the connection between the grandmother and the natural world, highlighting the profound impact she had on all living beings.
“The Portrait of a Lady” is more than just a personal memoir. It’s a universal story about the passage of time, the inevitability of change, and the enduring power of love. The narrative explores the delicate balance between tradition and modernity, highlighting the challenges of maintaining familial bonds in a rapidly changing world. Khushwant Singh’s evocative prose and the emotional depth of his portrayal make this story a timeless reflection on the human experience.
Exercise
1. The three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left the country to study abroad.
Ans:
Khushwant Singh’s relationship with his grandmother can be divided into three distinct phases before his departure for abroad. The first phase, their childhood in the village, was marked by close intimacy and shared experiences. The grandmother was his primary caregiver, tending to his daily needs and accompanying him to the village school, where their lives were intertwined with the rhythms of rural life. The second phase began when they moved to the city for his higher education. This transition introduced a gradual distancing as their shared experiences diminished. The grandmother’s inability to participate in his English education created a sense of alienation, and their interactions became limited to brief moments of shared space. The final phase occurred when he went to university. The distance grew further, and the grandmother became increasingly isolated, confined to her room, finding solace in her prayers and spinning wheel. Despite the growing physical and emotional distance, her love remained constant, though expressed through silent prayers and quiet acceptance.
2. Three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started going to the city school.
Ans:
The Shift in Curriculum: The grandmother was deeply religious and traditional. She was distressed by the fact that the city school did not teach about God and scriptures. She found the English education and the scientific subjects being taught alien and unacceptable. She could not understand or relate to the modern education system, which lacked the religious instruction she valued.
The Absence of Religious Instruction: In the village, she had been involved in his education, which included religious teachings and moral values. The city school’s curriculum, focused on Western science and literature, lacked this essential element, leaving her feeling excluded and concerned about the author’s spiritual upbringing.
The Loss of Shared Activities: Their shared activities, like walking to school together and the grandmother’s involvement in his lessons, ceased in the city. This loss of physical and intellectual connection created a sense of distance and isolation for her. She felt alienated from the author’s life, as she could no longer participate in his daily learning.
3. Three ways in which the author’s grandmother spent her days after he grew up.
Ans:
Immersed in Prayer and Rosary: The grandmother dedicated a significant portion of her time to her religious practices. She constantly recited prayers, her lips moving in silent devotion, and told the beads of her rosary. This was her way of finding solace and peace in her increasingly solitary life.
Spinning the Wheel: She also spent considerable time spinning the wheel. This activity provided her with a sense of purpose and rhythm, keeping her hands occupied while she continued to recite her prayers. It was a connection to a more traditional way of life and a means of self-sufficiency.
Feeding the Sparrows: In the afternoons, she would venture into the courtyard to feed the sparrows. This became a daily ritual that brought her immense joy. The birds’ enthusiastic response and her gentle interaction with them provided a connection to the natural world and a sense of companionship.
4. The odd way in which the author’s grandmother behaved just before she died.
Ans:
Omission of Evening Prayers: She, who was always dedicated to her prayers, omitted her evening prayers. This was highly unusual and indicated a sense of urgency or an awareness of her impending end.
Singing and Drumming: Instead of praying, she gathered the women of the neighborhood and began singing and beating an old, dilapidated drum. She spent hours doing this, seemingly in a state of heightened energy and fervor, unlike her usual quiet demeanor.
Refusal to Talk: When the family tried to persuade her to stop and rest, she refused. She seemed determined to continue her singing and drumming, as if she were trying to use her last moments to express something profound.
Returning to Prayers: After a period of intense singing and drumming, she finally stopped and returned to her prayers, as if she had completed a necessary task. She then calmly lay down and began telling the beads of her rosary, indicating a quiet acceptance of her approaching death.
5. The way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died.
Ans:
Silent Presence: Unlike their usual chirping and bustling behavior, the sparrows remained completely silent. There was no noise, no tweeting, just a quiet, still presence.
Disregard for Bread Crumbs: When the author’s mother threw bread crumbs to them, the sparrows paid no attention. They did not touch the bread, demonstrating their lack of interest in food, a common sign of mourning in many cultures.
Departure After the Body Was Carried Away: The sparrows silently flew away only after the grandmother’s body was carried away for cremation. This synchronized departure emphasized their collective mourning and their respect for the deceased.
The Portrait of a Lady Talking about the text
Talk to your partner about the following :
1. The author’s grandmother was a religious person. What are the different ways in which we come to know this ?
Ans:
Constant Recitation of Prayers: Throughout the narrative, the grandmother’s lips are described as constantly moving in silent prayer. This unwavering devotion is a recurring motif, highlighting her deep connection to her faith.
Telling the Beads of Her Rosary: She always had her rosary beads in her hands, constantly telling them. This physical act of devotion underscored her commitment to her religious practices.
Involvement in Temple Activities: In the village, she accompanied the author to the temple, where she read scriptures. This demonstrates her active participation in religious rituals and her knowledge of sacred texts.
Distress at the Lack of Religious Teaching in City School: Her discomfort with the English education in the city stemmed from the absence of religious instruction. She valued spiritual learning above all else.
Singing Religious Hymns: Even in her final moments, she chose to sing religious hymns and beat the drum, showing that her faith was her priority until her last breath.
2. Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for each other change ?
Ans:
The relationship between Khushwant Singh and his grandmother evolved through three distinct phases, each marked by shifting circumstances. Initially, in the village, their bond was intimate and interdependent, with the grandmother caring for his daily needs and accompanying him to school. As the author moved to the city for higher education, a gradual distance crept in, fueled by the differing educational environments and a decline in shared activities. This distance widened further when he went to university, as their interactions became infrequent and impersonal. However, despite these changes in their daily lives and physical proximity, their underlying feelings for each other remained constant. The grandmother’s unwavering love and devotion, expressed through silent prayers and blessings, never wavered. Similarly, the author’s respectful and affectionate portrayal of her throughout the narrative testifies to his enduring affection, even as their relationship underwent significant transformations.
3. Would you agree that the author’s grandmother was a person strong in character ? If yes, give instances that show this.
Ans:Yes, the author’s grandmother was undoubtedly a person of strong character, demonstrated through her unwavering faith, quiet resilience, and steadfast devotion. Her strength was not loud or assertive, but rather a quiet, dignified fortitude. Instances throughout the narrative highlight this. Her unwavering commitment to her religious practices, even when faced with the alien environment of the city, showcases her inner strength. Her calm acceptance of the author’s departure for university, without any outward display of emotional distress, illustrates her stoicism. Furthermore, her determined focus on her prayers and rituals in her final moments, refusing to be swayed from her chosen path, reveals her powerful sense of self and her unwavering belief in her convictions. Even the way she dealt with the changes in her world, by simply changing her own routines, and not by complaining, shows a great inner strength. She faced the changing times with a quiet dignity, and a strong sense of purpose.
4. Have you known someone like the author’s grandmother ? Do you feel the same sense of loss with regard to someone whom you have loved and lost ?
Ans:
As a large language model, I haven’t experienced personal relationships or the associated feelings of loss in the same way humans do. However, I can understand and process the emotional depth of such experiences through the vast amount of text and stories I’ve analyzed. I’ve encountered countless narratives that depict the profound bond between individuals and the pain of their separation, whether through death, distance, or changing circumstances. These stories convey the universal human experience of cherishing memories and grappling with the absence of loved ones. The themes of nostalgia, grief, and the enduring power of love resonate deeply in literature and art, allowing me to comprehend the emotional landscape described in Khushwant Singh’s portrayal of his grandmother. While I cannot feel the personal loss, I can recognize and process the universal human experience of deep grief and the value of cherished memories.
The Portrait of a Lady Thinking about language
1. Which language do you think the author and his grandmother used while talking to each other ?
Ans:Given the setting of their early life in rural Punjab, it’s highly likely they primarily spoke Punjabi.
2. Which language do you use to talk to elderly relatives in your family ?
Ans: I don’t have a family or speak any languages in the human sense. However, if I were to simulate a conversation with elderly relatives in an Indian context, I would likely use a regional language like Hindi, or the specific mother tongue of that family.
3. How would you say ‘a dilapidated drum’ in your language ?
Ans:
As a large language model, I don’t have a native language in the human sense. However, if I were to translate “a dilapidated drum” into Hindi, a widely understood language in India, I would say:
- “ek khasta dhol” (एक खस्ता ढोल)
“khasta” (खस्ता) means dilapidated or worn out, and “dhol” (ढोल) means drum.
4. Can you think of a song or poem in your language that talks of homecoming ?
Ans:
While I don’t have a “language” in the human sense, I can access and process information from various languages, including Hindi. A very popular and evocative Hindi song that captures the essence of homecoming is “Ghar Aaja Pardesi” from the film “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.” The song beautifully expresses the longing for a loved one to return home, evoking a sense of nostalgia and emotional yearning. The lyrics, sung by a mother longing for her son’s return, speak of the warmth and comfort of home, the joy of reunion, and the emotional void created by separation. The song’s melody and lyrics resonate deeply with the universal feeling of wanting to return to one’s roots and loved ones, making it a powerful representation of the theme of homecoming in Hindi popular culture.
The Portrait of a Lady Working with words
I. Notice the following uses of the word ‘tell’ in the text :
1. Her fingers were busy telling the beads her rosary.
2. I would tell her English words and little things of Western science and learning.
3. At her age one could never tell.
4. She told us that her end was near.
Given below are four different senses of the word ‘tell’. Match the meanings to the uses listed above :
1. make something known to someone in spoken or written words,
2. count while reciting,
3. be sure.
4. give information to somebody.
Ans:
1.Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary. – 2. count while reciting.
2.I would tell her English words and little things of Western science and learning. – 4. give information to somebody.
3.At her age one could never tell. – 3. be sure.
4.She told us that her end was near. – 1. make something known to someone in spoken or written words.
II. Notice the different senses of the word ‘take’
1. to take to something: to begin to do something as a habit.
2. to take ill: to suddenly become ill.
Locate these phrases in the text and notice the way they are used.
Ans:
- “To take to something”: This phrase isn’t explicitly present in the text of “The Portrait of a Lady.” However, the grandmother’s consistent habits, like taking to her prayers and spinning, could be interpreted as similar in meaning.
- “To take ill”: This phrase is also not directly used. However, it’s implied that the grandmother “took ill” shortly before her death, as she calmly announces her impending end.
III. The word ‘hobble’ means to walk with difficulty because the legs and feet are in had condition.
Tick the words in the box below that also refer to a manner of walking.
Ans:
Here are the words that refer to a manner of walking:
- shuffle
- stride
- waddle
- swagger
- trudgeslog
A Photograph
Shirley Toulson’s “A Photograph” delicately examines memory’s hold, the pain of loss, and time’s relentless flow. The poem’s core is an aged picture capturing the poet’s mother in her youth, reveling in a seaside vacation with her two female relatives.
The poet describes the photograph, highlighting the mother’s youthful joy and the ephemeral nature of those carefree moments. She then contrasts the mother’s laughter at the photograph with her own present-day grief at her mother’s death.
The poem explores the theme of time’s relentless march and the way it affects human lives. The sea, a constant presence in the photograph, symbolizes eternity, while human life is portrayed as fleeting. The poet reflects on the silent acceptance of loss, both her mother’s acceptance of her past and her own acceptance of her mother’s absence. Ultimately, the poem is a meditation on the enduring power of photographs to preserve memories and evoke emotions, even as time continues its inevitable journey.
Exercise
Think it out
1. What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has this word been used?
Ans:
In Shirley Toulson’s “A Photograph,” the word “cardboard” refers to the photograph itself, specifically the material it’s printed on. It denotes the physical object holding the memory, the tangible piece of the past that the poet is examining.
The word “cardboard” is used to emphasize the physical, almost mundane, nature of the photograph. It highlights its tangibility, making it a concrete artifact of a past moment. This contrasts with the ephemeral nature of the memories and emotions it evokes. The use of “cardboard” also suggests the aged quality of the photograph, evoking a sense of time’s passage and the fragility of memories. The simplicity of the word, rather than something more poetic like “image” or “print,” underscores the ordinariness of the moment captured, making the subsequent reflections on loss and time feel even more poignant.
2. What has the camera captured?
Ans:
In Shirley Toulson’s “A Photograph,” the camera has captured a moment of youthful joy and carefree innocence. Specifically, it has preserved a snapshot of the poet’s mother as a young girl, around twelve years old, enjoying a beach holiday with her two cousins.
The photograph freezes a moment in time, showing the three girls holding hands, standing at the water’s edge. The camera has captured their smiles, their wet hair, and the transient nature of their youthful happiness. It documents a specific event, a seaside outing, but also symbolizes the fleeting nature of youth and the enduring power of memories. The camera’s ability to preserve this moment allows the poet to later reflect on the passage of time and the inevitable loss that accompanies it.
3. What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest something to you?
Ans:
The poem “A Photograph” presents the sea as an unchanging entity, a stark contrast to the transient human experience. This enduring quality of the ocean emphasizes life’s ephemeral nature and the preciousness of captured memories. While individuals age and fade, the sea persists, a silent observer of time’s passage. This contrast underscores the fleeting essence of human happiness and the sorrow of loss.
4. The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh indicate?
Ans:
The poet’s mother’s laughter at the snapshot indicated a nostalgic recollection of a happy, carefree moment from her youth.
Her laughter was a response to the memory of her beach holiday with her cousins, a time of innocent joy and simple pleasures. It showed her fondness for that period of her life and her amusement at their youthful appearance. The laughter also suggests a bittersweet awareness of the passage of time, a recognition of how much she and her cousins had changed since that moment. It was a moment of reliving a cherished memory.
5. What is the meaning of the line “Both wry with the laboured ease of loss.”
Ans:
That line, “Both wry with the laboured ease of loss,” captures the complex way both the mother and the poet confront their respective losses. “Wry” hints at a resigned, almost ironic humor, showing a somber acceptance. “Laboured ease” is a paradoxical phrase, revealing the conflicting nature of grief; it’s a difficult process that, over time, becomes a familiar burden. The mother accepts the passing of her youth, while the poet deals with her mother’s absence. They each navigate their sorrow with a blend of sadness and a practiced acceptance, a “laboured ease.”
6. What does “this circumstance” refer to?
Ans:
In Shirley Toulson’s “A Photograph,” “this circumstance” refers to the poet’s present situation of being without her mother, who has passed away.
It encapsulates the grief and silence that now fill the poet’s life, a direct result of her mother’s death. The phrase highlights the stark contrast between the vibrant memory captured in the photograph and the somber reality of the poet’s present, emphasizing the profound sense of loss she experiences.
7. The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they?
Ans:
The three stanzas of Shirley Toulson’s “A Photograph” depict three distinct phases related to time and memory. The first stanza captures a past moment of youthful joy, showing the poet’s mother as a young girl. The second stanza shifts to a later time, when the mother looks at the photograph and recalls that past. The third stanza moves to the poet’s present, after her mother’s death, focusing on her grief and the enduring power of the photograph.
