THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY

 

 

THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY

"The thought was almost revolting": In this context, the phrase suggests that the idea of the grandmother once being young and pretty was difficult to believe or accept. The narrator found it hard to imagine her in that way.

"An expanse of pure white serenity": This expression describes the grandmother's appearance, comparing her to a serene and peaceful winter landscape in the mountains. It implies that her old age and physical attributes gave her a sense of tranquility and beauty.

"A turning-point": This phrase signifies a significant moment or event in the narrator's relationship with their grandmother. It marks the transition from their close friendship when they lived together to a period of separation when the narrator went to the city for education.

"Accepted her seclusion with resignation": This indicates that the grandmother willingly embraced her isolation and solitude. She didn't resist or complain about being alone but rather chose to withdraw from social interaction.

"A veritable bedlam of chirruping": This phrase vividly describes the chaotic and noisy chirping of the sparrows in the courtyard. It emphasizes the loud and disorderly nature of their sounds.

"Frivolous rebukes": This phrase suggests that the grandmother scolded the sparrows playfully or lightheartedly when feeding them. Her rebukes were not meant to be taken seriously but were more like gentle scolding.

"The sagging skins of the dilapidated drum": This expression describes the poor condition of the drum that the grandmother played during her singing. The drum's skins were sagging, indicating that it was old and worn out.

 

ESSENCE OF THE PARAGRAPHS:

1. Introduction of the Grandmother: The passage begins with a description of the narrator's grandmother, portraying her as an old woman who has been wrinkled for as long as the narrator has known her. It's mentioned that there are rumors of her once being young and pretty, but this is hard for the narrator to believe.

Explanation: The passage establishes the central character, the grandmother, and sets the tone by highlighting her elderly appearance and the skepticism surrounding her youthful past.

2. Description of Grandfather: The narrator's grandfather is described through a portrait hanging in the drawing room. He is depicted as a very old man with a long white beard and attire that doesn't seem fitting for someone who could have a wife or children.

Explanation: This description contrasts the grandmother's appearance with that of the grandfather and reinforces the idea that the grandmother has always appeared elderly.

3. Grandmother's Appearance: The grandmother is described as short, fat, and slightly bent with a face covered in wrinkles. Despite not being conventionally pretty, she is considered beautiful and is compared to a serene winter landscape.

Explanation: This description emphasizes the grandmother's physical appearance and the narrator's admiration for her unique beauty.

4. Childhood Bond: The narrator and the grandmother share a close bond, with the grandmother taking care of the narrator during their childhood. They attend school together, and the grandmother tries to teach the narrator prayers, although the narrator doesn't pay much attention.

Explanation: This highlights the nurturing relationship between the narrator and the grandmother during their early years.

5. Change in Circumstances: When the narrator's parents move to the city, their relationship changes. The narrator starts attending an English school, and the grandmother feeds sparrows instead of village dogs.

Explanation: This shows how external factors, like urbanization and education, impact their relationship and daily routines.

6. Education and Disapproval: The grandmother disapproves of the narrator's English education and the introduction of music lessons, considering music to be associated with undesirable elements.

Explanation: This highlights the clash between traditional beliefs and modern education and the resulting strain in their relationship.

7. Parting Ways: The narrator eventually goes abroad for further studies, and the grandmother remains stoic during their parting, praying silently.

Explanation: This marks a significant separation in their relationship, and the grandmother's lack of emotional display underscores her deep devotion to prayer.

8. Reunion and Unchanging Appearance: After five years abroad, the narrator returns home to find the grandmother almost unchanged in appearance, still devoted to prayer and caring for sparrows.

Explanation: This emphasizes the grandmother's consistency and her attachment to prayer and sparrows.

9. Singing and Change: The grandmother briefly stops praying to sing with the neighborhood women, celebrating the narrator's return. This is a rare instance of her deviating from her prayer routine.

Explanation: This highlights the special significance of the narrator's return and its effect on the grandmother's behavior.

10. Final Moments and Passing: The grandmother falls ill and believes her end is near because she missed praying a few hours before her death. She peacefully passes away while praying.

Explanation: This part underscores the grandmother's unwavering devotion to prayer and the serenity of her passing.

11. Sparrows' Presence: When the family returns to take the grandmother's body for cremation, they find the verandah and her room filled with sparrows, which had been her daily companions. The sparrows quietly depart when her body is removed.

Explanation: This signifies a subtle connection between the grandmother and the sparrows, emphasizing her gentle and spiritual nature.

12. Conclusion: The passage concludes with the image of the sparrows departing and the sweeper cleaning up the bread crumbs left for them.

Explanation: This closing scene highlights the contrast between the grandmother's spiritual presence and the mundane task of cleaning up, marking the end of her physical existence.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

Mention

1. The three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left the country to study abroad.

2. Three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started going to the city school.

3. Three ways in which the author’s grandmother spent her days after he grew up.

4. The odd way in which the author’s grandmother behaved just before she died.

5. The way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died.

 

 

1. Three Phases of the Author's Relationship with His Grandmother: Before the author left the country to study abroad, his relationship with his grandmother went through distinct phases. Initially, in their early years, they shared a close bond. The author's grandmother played a significant role in his daily life, waking him up, getting him ready for school, and attempting to teach him prayers. They attended the village school together, which was attached to the temple, highlighting the spiritual aspect of their relationship. However, as the family moved to the city, the author's education changed, and their bond weakened. The author began attending an English school and adopted a more modernized lifestyle, which his grandmother disapproved of. This marked the second phase of their relationship, characterized by a growing disconnect due to differing beliefs and values. Finally, when the author decided to study abroad, the third phase commenced. Although the grandmother accompanied him to the railway station during his departure, their communication became limited, with the grandmother prioritizing her prayers over conversation. This phase symbolized a gradual separation as the author pursued higher education overseas.
2. Three Reasons for the Grandmother's Disturbance When the Author Started Going to the City School: The author's grandmother was deeply disturbed when he began attending the city school for several reasons. Firstly, the grandmother held traditional beliefs and was rooted in her religious practices. The introduction of English education and modern subjects like science and mathematics clashed with her spiritual worldview, causing her distress. Secondly, the grandmother perceived music, which the author mentioned being taught at the city school, as having lewd associations and being inappropriate for respectable individuals. This deviation from traditional values deeply troubled her. Thirdly, the city school did not incorporate teachings about God and the scriptures, which were of utmost importance to the grandmother. The absence of religious education in the curriculum left her distressed, as she saw it as a departure from the spiritual foundations she held dear. These reasons underscored the cultural and generational gap between the author's education and his grandmother's traditional beliefs.
3. Three Ways in Which the Author's Grandmother Spent Her Days After He Grew Up: After the author grew up and their relationship evolved, the grandmother's daily routine underwent significant changes. First, she spent her days in solitude, primarily occupied with her spinning wheel, constantly reciting prayers from sunrise to sunset. This solitary devotion to prayer became the central focus of her life. Second, in the afternoons, she would take a break from her prayer regimen to feed the sparrows in the courtyard of their city house. This act of feeding sparrows brought her a sense of joy and connection to nature. Third, her social interactions became limited, and she rarely engaged in conversations with anyone, including the author. Her world narrowed down to the repetition of prayers and the company of sparrows. These post-retirement activities highlighted her unwavering spirituality and her unique bond with the natural world.
4. The Odd Behavior of the Author's Grandmother Before Her Death: In the moments leading up to her death, the author's grandmother exhibited an unusual behavior. She believed that her end was near because she had missed praying a few hours before her death. This belief was deeply rooted in her devotion, and she expressed a sense of urgency to complete her prayers before passing away. Instead of engaging in conversation with her family or seeking medical attention for her mild fever, she chose to spend her final moments in prayer, reciting her beads and uttering her prayers. Her steadfast commitment to her spiritual practice remained unwavering even in the face of death, and she peacefully passed away while in prayer. This behavior underscored the depth of her religious devotion and her acceptance of mortality.
5. The Expression of Sorrow by Sparrows When the Author's Grandmother Died: After the author's grandmother passed away, a poignant moment occurred when the family came to take her body for cremation. The verandah and her room were filled with thousands of sparrows, a sight that was strikingly different from their usual chirruping presence. However, on this occasion, the sparrows sat scattered in silence, creating an atmosphere of solemnity. They did not respond to the bread crumbs offered to them by the family. As the grandmother's body was carried away, the sparrows quietly flew away, marking their departure without their usual enthusiasm. This remarkable change in the sparrows' behavior was interpreted as their way of expressing sorrow and mourning for the loss of their constant companion, the grandmother. It added a touching and symbolic dimension to the passage, highlighting the deep connection between the grandmother and the natural world.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:

1. The author’s grandmother was a religious person. What are the different ways in which we come to know this?

2. Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for each other change?

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

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?

1. The Author's Grandmother's Religious Nature: We discern the strong religious inclination of the author's grandmother through several aspects of the passage. Firstly, she is described as having a deep devotion to prayer. From the early morning sing-song prayers to her continuous recitation of prayers on her deathbed, her unwavering commitment to religious rituals is evident. Secondly, her attachment to the temple-school, where she taught the author prayers, underscores her religious involvement. Thirdly, her disapproval of the author's modern education, particularly the absence of teachings about God and the scriptures, highlights her concern for religious education. Lastly, her daily act of feeding sparrows is symbolic of her compassionate and nurturing nature, which aligns with her religious values. Overall, the passage portrays the author's grandmother as a devout and spiritually-centered individual.
2. Changing Relationship between the Author and His Grandmother: The relationship between the author and his grandmother undergoes notable changes as the narrative progresses. In their early years, they share a close and nurturing bond. The grandmother takes care of the author, wakes him up for school, and tries to teach him prayers. During this phase, their feelings for each other are characterized by warmth and familial affection. However, as the family moves to the city, the author's education takes a different direction, causing a disconnect. The grandmother disapproves of the author's English education and the introduction of music lessons, leading to a subtle strain in their relationship. This phase sees a change in their feelings as the author's modernization clashes with his grandmother's traditional values. Finally, when the author decides to study abroad, their communication dwindles, and the grandmother prioritizes prayer over conversation, signifying a further change in their relationship. Despite these shifts, a deep, underlying love and respect seem to persist, as evident in the grandmother's stoic support during the author's departure and her celebration upon his return.
3. The Author's Grandmother's Strength of Character: Yes, the author's grandmother can be considered a person of strong character. Several instances in the passage highlight her strength. Firstly, her unwavering devotion to prayer and her persistence in maintaining her spiritual routine, even in the face of death, demonstrate her inner strength and determination. Secondly, her ability to adapt to changing circumstances and accept her seclusion when the author went abroad signifies a degree of resilience. Thirdly, her commitment to feeding sparrows, an act of kindness and compassion, showcases her strength of character in caring for the natural world. Additionally, her disapproval of the author's education, while rooted in tradition, reflects her firm convictions and principles. Overall, the grandmother's strength of character is evident in her steadfast devotion, adaptability, and adherence to her values.
4. Personal Reflection on Knowing Someone Like the Author's Grandmother: Yes, I have known someone in my life who resembled the author's grandmother in certain aspects. This individual was my own grandmother, who, like the grandmother in the passage, was deeply religious and had a strong spiritual presence. She too had a daily routine centered around prayer and scripture reading. Her unwavering faith and the peaceful aura she exuded left a profound impact on our family.

When she passed away, I experienced a sense of loss similar to what the author likely felt. While our relationship wasn't without its generational differences and disagreements, her spiritual guidance and the comfort of her presence were deeply cherished. The sparrows in the passage remind me of the birds in my grandmother's garden that seemed to gather in unusual numbers on the day of her funeral, as if silently paying their respects. This connection between the grandmother's relationship with sparrows and my own grandmother's connection with nature evokes a sense of nostalgia and shared human experiences in the face of loss.

 

THINGS TO DO:

I. Notice the following uses of the word ‘tell’ in the text.

1. Her fingers were busy telling the beads of 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

 

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.

 

III. The word ‘hobble’ means to walk with difficulty because the legs and feet are in bad condition.

 

 

I. Matching the Senses of 'Tell' to the Uses in the Text:

1. "Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary."
• Meaning: Count while reciting. In this context, the grandmother is counting the beads of her rosary while reciting her prayers.
2. "I would tell her English words and little things of Western science and learning."
• Meaning: Make something known to someone in spoken or written words. Here, the author is explaining or imparting knowledge to his grandmother by sharing English words and Western scientific concepts.
3. "At her age one could never tell."
• Meaning: Be sure. In this context, it means that one couldn't be certain about her age due to her appearance.
4. "She told us that her end was near."
• Meaning: Give information to somebody. The grandmother is informing her family that she believes her end (death) is imminent.

II. Usage of 'Take' in the Text:

1. "to take to something: to begin to do something as a habit"
• This specific usage of "take" is not found in the text.
2. "to take ill: to suddenly become ill"
• This usage is found in the text when the author mentions, "The next morning she was taken ill." Here, "taken ill" implies that the grandmother suddenly became ill.

III. Understanding the Word 'Hobble': The word 'hobble' means to walk with difficulty due to problems with the legs or feet. In the text, there is no direct mention of the grandmother "hobbling," but it does describe her as being "slightly bent," which suggests she may have had difficulty in her gait due to her age or physical condition. This term is used to emphasize her elderly appearance and frailty.