The Portrait of a Lady
📘 The Portrait of a Lady – Summary
The Portrait of a Lady is a touching autobiographical account in which the author, Khushwant Singh, recalls his relationship with his grandmother and how it evolved over time. The story spans different stages of the narrator’s life, highlighting the bond they shared and the changes that occurred with the passage of time.
🧓🏼 Description of the Grandmother
The narrator begins by describing his grandmother. She had always looked old to him, and her appearance never seemed to change. She was short, slightly bent, and always dressed in white. Her face was calm and peaceful, reflecting her deeply religious and traditional lifestyle. She spent much of her time praying and moving the beads of her rosary.
🏡 Life in the Village
During his early childhood, the narrator lived with his grandmother in a village. Their relationship was close and full of routine. She would wake him up, help him get ready, and walk him to school. The school was attached to a temple where children learned religious texts. While he studied, the grandmother would sit and read scriptures.
After school, they would walk back home together, and she would feed the street dogs. This daily routine gave them time to interact and bond deeply.
🏙️ Shift to the City
As the narrator’s family moved to the city, his life began to change. He started attending an English-medium school and learned subjects like science and English literature. The school had no teachings about God or scriptures, which disappointed the grandmother. She could no longer accompany him to school, and their daily interactions reduced.
She disliked some of the changes in his education, especially when he began learning music. To her, music was not something respectable people pursued. Still, she never openly complained, though it was clear she disapproved.
🎓 Going to University
When the narrator went to university, he was given a separate room. Their communication became even more limited, and they led almost separate lives within the same house. Yet, the grandmother kept herself busy with her prayers and spinning the wheel.
✈️ Departure for Abroad
Eventually, the narrator went abroad for higher studies. The grandmother accepted the decision quietly. She neither protested nor showed any emotion, but only expressed her concern through her prayers. She kissed him on the forehead before he left, and this became their last personal moment together.
🏠 Return and Her Death
When the narrator returned after five years, he was surprised to find her looking just the same as before. That evening, she celebrated his return by singing devotional songs and beating an old drum. It was an unusual break from her regular routine of prayer.
The next day, she fell ill and peacefully passed away. She had sensed her end and had spent her last hours praying quietly.
After her death, a remarkable incident took place. Hundreds of sparrows gathered silently around her body. They did not make any noise, nor did they eat the food offered to them. They stayed for a while and then quietly flew away. This silent mourning by the sparrows left a deep impression on everyone.
✅ Conclusion
The Portrait of a Lady is a simple yet profound story of love, transformation, and quiet dignity. It reflects the slow fading of traditional values in the face of modern life and the strength of a spiritual, loving bond between a grandmother and her grandson — a bond that endures silently, even through time and distance.
Themes
1. Love and Bonding
– Deep emotional connection between the narrator and his grandmother, especially in childhood.
2. Tradition vs Modernity
– Contrast between the grandmother’s traditional, religious life and the narrator’s modern, Western education.
3. Faith and Spirituality
– The grandmother is deeply spiritual, reflecting a life rooted in prayer, scriptures, and rituals.
4. Aging and Death
– The natural, peaceful acceptance of old age and death is shown through the grandmother’s quiet passing.
5. Change and Separation
– The story highlights how relationships evolve with time and distance, yet silent love remains constant.
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