Summary of "Portrait of Lady by Khushwant Singh":

"Portrait of Lady" is a short story written by Khushwant Singh. The story revolves around the life of a middle-aged man named Mohan Lal who is a clerk in a government office. He is married and has two children. One day, he meets a beautiful woman named Anita at a party. She is married to an army officer and has two children as well. Mohan Lal is immediately drawn to her and becomes obsessed with her. He starts following her and even rents a room in the same house where she lives with her family.

However, Anita is not interested in him and is faithful to her husband. Mohan Lal's obsession with her leads to his downfall as he loses his job, his wife, and his children. In the end, he is left alone and miserable.

Explanation of the story:

The story "Portrait of Lady" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of obsession and infidelity. It shows how a seemingly harmless attraction can lead to disastrous consequences.

The story is set in post-independence India, where the middle-class was growing and people were striving for a better life. Mohan Lal is a typical middle-class man who is content with his life but is also envious of the wealth and status of others.

When he meets Anita, he is immediately drawn to her beauty and sophistication. He sees her as a symbol of everything he desires but cannot have. His obsession with her grows as he follows her and rents a room in her house. He becomes so consumed by his desire for her that he neglects his job and his family.

Anita, on the other hand, is portrayed as a faithful wife and mother who is devoted to her family. She is aware of Mohan Lal's infatuation with her but does not encourage him. She tries to maintain a distance from him and remains faithful to her husband.

The story shows how Mohan Lal's obsession leads to his downfall. He loses his job, his wife, and his children because of his infidelity. He is left alone and miserable, realizing that his obsession with Anita was nothing but a foolish fantasy.

The story is a powerful reminder of the importance of fidelity and the dangers of obsession. It shows how even a seemingly harmless attraction can lead to disastrous consequences.