The portrait of a Lady 

gives us a picture of a human

relationship in a joint family. It is a factual description,
a realistic account of how the grandparents give all their
time, attention and love to the grandchildren.
• Autobiographical chapter – The author gives an
insight of his relationship with his grandmother
through his own eyes.
• Poignant tale of deep bond of love and affection he
shared with his inimitable (unique, unmatchable)
grandmother.
• Written in First person
• The story touches upon the hemisphere of Indian
Culture.
• The grandmother is the true embodiment (someone
or something that represents a quality )of the term
‘lady’ – her inner beauty shone through her persona
making her appear beautiful
Khushwant Singh discusses the themes of innocence,
friendship, love, connection, kindness, selflessness,
respect and acceptance.

Characteristics of the Grandmother :

• Short , fat and hunched in stature
• Wrinkled face, sagging skin , frail frame
• Her serene visage reminded the author of a winter
landscape
• She hobbled around the house with one hand on her
waist to balance her stoop
• Beauty – immaculate (flawless) , spotlessly clean
• Not beautiful in the worldly sense but inwardly
beautiful
• Silver locks scattered over her pale face
• Calm, tranquil
• Kind and considerate
• Pious and orthodox, conservative and traditional
• Quintessential matriarch (a woman who is the head
of a family or tribe ) who can be found in any
Indian household
• Epitome of serenity and tranquility
• She is truly a pen portrait of the Grandmother –
kind, understanding , caring
• Had control over her emotions
• Intuitive
• Benevolent
• Reserved
• Realistic and practical approach
• Strong will power
• Faced the trials and tribulations of her life with
courage