Name: Mary Priyanka Gomes

S.Y.B.Ed 2019-2020
Roll no 20
IDC : Language Across Curriculum
Assignment 1

Poem: ‘My Last Duchess’ – Robert Browning

Story (Transformed Version): The Silenced Smile
 The Silenced Smile
Rana Ratan Maan Singh
seated on his throne ordered
the courtiers in his durbar, to
bring him the finest painter.
For he wanted a portrait of
him and his Queen !

The fort of Nahargarh at

the foot of the Aravalli
hills overlooking the entire
kingdom, it’s grandeur
reflected in it’s blood red
and gold interior
 The Silenced Smile

The search for artist Queen Mohini, the most

came to an end, Jeanne
Laurent, a skilled French
artist was invited to the
court to draw the portrait
beautiful woman in the land!
Jeanne was awestruck! He
wanted to talk to the Queen but
never got the chance since she
was always guarded.

He noticed the Queen’s

proximity to a boy named,
Abhay and found his
opportunity to know about
the Queen. ‘Maharani Saa is
the best Queen!’
 The Silenced Smile
Abhay although a teenager, liked the Queen a
lot and was slightly suspicious of Jeanne’s
motives, ‘Why did he ask me details about Rani
Saa?’As they were talking, Jeanne could feel
cold stares on him but there was no one
around...... That’s what he thought.

Next day, he asked Ratan Maan Singh’s

permission to allow him to capture the
Queen’s beauty on his canvas. His
Wish was .......granted! The empty hall
filled with giggles of the Queen, an
eerie feeling was felt by Jeanne.
 The Silenced Smile
The palace looked dull and
gray, the awaited guest
arrives. Tejraj , sent by Rana
Balwant Rawat is escorted
by the King on a palace tour
They entered an old hall, everything
was dusty and rusted except a blood
red rose shackled on a table in front
of a picture covered in a similar red
curtain. King drew the curtain to
reveal.... The Queens portrait.

‘That is My last Queen!’ he said.

The King started ranting about the
complaints he had with his Queen.
Her smile, behaviour, love was
doubted. ‘I commanded, all smiles
stopped......’
Social Relevance of the Story

The poem actually dates back to an ancient time,

in Ferrara, Italy. However, the obsessive need for
power and control still exists. Women are just a
possession to man, which they need to guard
and make sure that is reserved only for them.