THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY

BY KHUSHWANT SINGH - NOTES

GLOSSARY
 The thought was almost revolting –  The thought that the author’s grandmother was
once young and pretty raises doubt in the mind of the author. He finds it too hard to
believe.
 an expanse of pure white serenity – It refers to the calm, peaceful and serene
character and conduct of the author’s grandmother. She is compared to the peaceful
winter landscape in the mountains.
 a turning point – It refers to the point where the author’s relationship with his
grandmother changes drastically after they move to the city-house.
 accepted her seclusion with resignation – This shows the author’s grandmother’s
passive submission to her secluded life after she gradually loses touch with her
grandson.
 a veritable bedlam of chirruping – It refers to the noise, confusion and chaos caused
by the chirruping of the sparrows that scattered and perched around the author’s
grandmother.
 frivolous rebukes – It refers to the casual and light-hearted rebukes of the
grandmother to the sparrows.
 
 the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum – It points to the shabby and deteriorated
condition of the drum.
THEME

The fact that the generation gap is not an unsurpassable gulf is characterised by the fact that a
wave of nostalgia overpowers us when we think of the simple and serene days of our childhood
spent with parents and grandparents. We might grow up and grow apart but the morals and
principles instilled in us by the older generation refuse to die.

As we grow up, various tasks and interests attract our attention leaving us with little time to
realize that we might be the only interest of someone in our family. If the birth of a grandchild
leading to boundless joy for grandparents is a reality in every nook of the world, it is also true
that the grandchildren’s attention will invariably be taken over by other things pretty soon. We
end up being so busy that those silent steps the old ones take to retreat from our lives are rarely
noticed.

The story by Khushwant Singh is an attempt to celebrate those childhood years spent with his
grandmother when the simple pleasures of chanting Gurubani and feeding the dogs kept the duo
busy. There might not be anything dramatic in their routine but the way she took care of the
smallest of his needs and worked for his education shows the depth of their relationship.

But, as is true of every good thing, this bonding had to face the test of time when the writer’s
parents took both of them to the city, throwing them out of their humble abode into a city which
took the attention of the child and drove them a little apart every passing day.     
 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY
BY KHUSHWANT SINGH - NOTES
The various phases of their relationship show how the grandmother slowly withdraws herself
when she finds her grandson participating in activities and hobbies that she did not approve of.
With time, her philanthropic nature takes over and she devotes all her time to taking care of
animals and spending her time praying.

To understand the story properly, analyse how circumstances may change one’s lifestyle and look
if you may be paying less attention to some people and think of ways to rectify it.

SUMMARY –

Write the summary in your own words in about 120-150 words.

QUESTION / ANSWER -

Questions 1,2,3,4, 5mentioned on pg. 6,7 of Hornbill will be discussed in class.

1. Write the character sketch of the grandmother.

2. Would you agree that the author’s grandmother was a person strong in character? If yes, give
instances that show this.