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NCERT Class 11 English Chapter 1 The Portrait of a Lady Notes: Understanding English literature becomes easier and more engaging when we explore the deeper meanings behind the stories and characters. Chapter 1- The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh of Class 11 NCERT English book offers a touching glimpse into the author’s relationship with his grandmother.
This chapter is not just a story- it’s an emotional journey that captures the beauty of human bonds, the power of memory, and the simplicity of old age. In this blog, we provide easy-to-understand NCERT notes for The Portrait of a Lady that will help you grasp the key themes, character sketches, and literary devices used in the chapter.
Table of Contents
- 1 Introduction to the Chapter
- 2 Key Characters
- 3 Short Summary of CBSE English Class 11: The Portrait of the Lady
- 4 Author’s Childhood Memories
- 5 Life in the Village
- 6 Moving to the City – A Turning Point
- 7 University Years and Further Separation
- 8 Going Abroad and Grandmother’s Reaction
- 9 The Final Days
- 10 The Mourning and the Sparrows
- 11 Key Themes and Takeaways
- 12 Analysis of The Portrait of a Lady
- 13 Important Definitions in NCERT Class 11 English Chapter 1 The Portrait of a Lady
- 14 FAQs
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| Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 |
Introduction to the Chapter
This chapter is a touching and emotional tribute by Khushwant Singh to his grandmother. It reflects their deep bond and how their relationship evolved. Through his memories, the author presents her as a spiritual, caring, and strong woman.
Key Characters
- Grandmother: An old, kind, and religious woman who is deeply caring and resilient.
- Narrator: The grandson who shares a close bond with his grandmother, observing her life and changes.
Short Summary of CBSE English Class 11: The Portrait of the Lady
“The Portrait of a Lady” by Khushwant Singh is a touching account of the author’s relationship with his grandmother. The story describes her as a deeply religious and traditional woman who was always involved in prayers and took care of the author during his childhood. As he grew older and moved to the city for higher studies, they spent less time together. Still, she remained loving and peaceful. In the end, she died quietly while praying. The story shows love, change, and the strong connection between a grandparent and a grandchild.
- The author’s grandmother was old and wrinkled, and he never imagined her being young or pretty.
- Her face was covered in wrinkles, and she always wore spotless white clothes.
- She walked with a slight bend, using one hand for support and the other to count her rosary beads.
- The author described her as peaceful and beautiful, comparing her to a calm winter landscape.
Life in the Village
- The author was raised by his grandmother when his parents moved to the city.
- She helped him get ready for school, reciting prayers in a sing-song voice.
- She prepared his school items and accompanied him to school, which was part of a temple.
- While the children learned the alphabet and prayers, she would read religious scriptures.
- On their way back, she would feed chapattis to the village dogs.
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Moving to the City – A Turning Point
- When the author and his grandmother shifted to the city, things changed.
- He began attending an English school, and she stopped going with him.
- She was unhappy because there was no teaching of God or scriptures in his new school.
- She was deeply disturbed when he started learning music, which she associated with inappropriate people.
- After this, their conversations reduced and the emotional distance between them grew.
University Years and Further Separation
- When the author joined university, he got his own room, which increased their separation.
- She accepted her loneliness and spent most of her time spinning the wheel and praying.
- Every afternoon, she fed the sparrows, who sat on her shoulders and head. It was the happiest part of her day.
Going Abroad and Grandmother’s Reaction
- The author went abroad for five years to study.
- He thought his grandmother would be upset, but she remained calm and composed.
- She kissed his forehead silently and continued her prayers without showing any emotions.
The Final Days
- After five years, the author returned. She was still the same- old, peaceful, and prayerful.
- That evening, she broke her daily routine. She gathered women, sang loudly, and played an old drum to celebrate his return.
- The next morning, she fell ill with a slight fever but believed her end was near.
- She chose to spend her last hours in prayer and passed away peacefully, with her rosary falling from her hand.
The Mourning and the Sparrows
- After her death, her body was laid on the floor and covered with a red cloth.
- Thousands of sparrows gathered silently in and around her room.
- They did not eat the crumbs offered to them and flew away quietly after her body was taken for cremation.
- Their silent mourning reflected the deep connection they had with her.
Key Themes and Takeaways
- Grandparent-grandchild bond – Deep emotional connection between the narrator and his grandmother.
- Simplicity and spirituality – The grandmother lived a simple, religious life.
- Change and separation – How modernisation and education led to distance in their relationship.
- Unspoken love and respect – Even in silence, their affection remained strong.
- Nature’s grief – Sparrows mourned her death without sound, symbolising respect and loss.
Analysis of The Portrait of a Lady
Khushwant Singh’s The Portrait of a Lady is a touching autobiographical sketch that explores the deep emotional bond between the author and his grandmother, highlighting themes of love, tradition, change, and spirituality through simple yet powerful storytelling.
Plot:
The story revolves around the author’s relationship with his grandmother. It begins with the description of her life in the village, where she follows a simple, spiritual routine. As the author moves to the city for his studies, the bond between them changes, but his grandmother remains devoted to her prayers and rituals. The story concludes with her peaceful death. It reflects themes of love, tradition, and the passage of time.
Setting:
The story is set in two locations: the author’s village, where his grandmother lives, and the city, where the author goes for his studies. The contrast between the peaceful rural life and the busy city life highlights the changes in their relationship.
Point of View:
The story is written in the first-person point of view, from the perspective of the author. This makes it personal and intimate, as he shares his memories and emotions related to his grandmother.
Narrative Techniques:
The narrative uses a simple, direct style of storytelling, reflecting the author’s deep affection and respect for his grandmother. The transition between his childhood and adulthood is handled through reflective moments, focusing on the emotional bond and the inevitable changes over time.
Literary Devices:
- Imagery:
The author uses vivid imagery to describe his grandmother. For example, he describes her as “a figure of calm and dignity,” and her “wrinkled face” with “a serene expression.” - Symbolism:
The grandmother’s image and presence represent tradition, spirituality, and simplicity. Her quiet death symbolizes peace and acceptance of life’s natural course. - Alliteration:
Phrases like “peaceful place” and “simple, serene” use alliteration to create a smooth flow in the narrative, emphasizing tranquility and peace. - Metaphor:
The author uses metaphors to express the grandmother’s deep spirituality. Her “sacred space” is compared to a “temple,” which signifies her devout nature.
Important Definitions in NCERT Class 11 English Chapter 1 The Portrait of a Lady
Given below are some of the important definitions for NCERT Class 11 English Chapter 1 The Portrait of a Lady. Let’s have a look at them one by one:
- Revolting: Causing strong feelings of disgust or aversion; something that is hard to believe or unpleasant to imagine.
- Serenity: The state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled; an atmosphere of tranquillity and quietness, often associated with purity.
- Bedlam: A scene of uproar, confusion, or chaos; in this case, referring to the loud and disordered sound of birds chirping.
- Frivolous: Light-hearted, silly, or lacking in seriousness; often used to describe something that is not important or worthy of attention.
- Pallor: An unhealthy pale appearance of the face, often due to illness or death, indicating a loss of color in the skin.
Find Notes of Other Chapters of Class 11 English
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Download the Solutions of Other Chapters of Class 11 English
| Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 |
Related Reads
Credits: Padhle
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| History | Geography | Political Science | Sociology | Psychology |
FAQs
The central theme of the story is the deep bond between the narrator and his grandmother, highlighting the values of tradition, spirituality, and the inevitable changes brought by modern education and time. It also explores the contrast between old age and youth, tradition and modernity.
The narrator describes his grandmother as an old, dignified woman who appeared to have been old forever. She wore white clothes, moved slowly with a stoop, and always carried a rosary. He admired her spiritual nature and simplicity, calling her beautiful despite her age.
The sparrows symbolize the grandmother’s peaceful and spiritual life. They were her daily companions and seem to mourn her death silently by gathering around her body and refusing food, reflecting their deep connection with her.
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