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Why didn't the grandmother shoo the sparrows away? (The Portrait Of A Lady)?
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Why didn't the grandmother shoo the sparrows away? (The Portrait Of A ...
**The Grandmother's Relationship with the Sparrows**

In Henry James's novel "The Portrait of a Lady," the grandmother's decision not to shoo away the sparrows can be attributed to several factors. To understand her motivations, it is important to consider her relationship with the sparrows and the symbolism they represent in the story.

**1. The Sparrows as a Symbol of Life and Vitality**

The sparrows in the novel are often associated with life and vitality. They are described as "happy and sociable creatures" that bring joy and liveliness to the garden. Their presence serves as a contrast to the stagnant and confined lives of the characters, particularly Isabel Archer. By allowing the sparrows to roam freely, the grandmother symbolically embraces life and the freedom it entails, even in old age.

**2. The Grandmother's Appreciation for Nature**

The grandmother is portrayed as someone who deeply appreciates nature and finds solace in observing its beauty. She spends significant time in the garden, enjoying the sights and sounds it offers. The sparrows, as part of the natural environment, contribute to her sense of tranquility and connection with the world around her. Shooing them away would disrupt this peaceful coexistence and go against her appreciation for nature's harmony.

**3. The Sparrows as a Reminder of the Grandmother's Youth**

The sparrows also hold personal significance for the grandmother. They serve as a reminder of her own youth and vitality, a time when she was more carefree and less burdened by societal expectations. As she watches the sparrows, memories of her past might resurface, offering a temporary escape from the realities of aging. Shooing away the sparrows would mean denying herself this nostalgic connection and the temporary respite it provides.

**4. The Grandmother's Acceptance of Change**

By not shooing away the sparrows, the grandmother demonstrates her acceptance of change and the passing of time. The sparrows represent the transient nature of life, constantly coming and going. In allowing them to freely inhabit her garden, the grandmother acknowledges the inevitability of change and the need to embrace it rather than resist it. She understands that change, like the sparrows, is a natural part of life's cycle.

**Conclusion**

The grandmother's decision not to shoo away the sparrows in "The Portrait of a Lady" can be attributed to her appreciation for life, nature, and the transient aspects of existence. By allowing the sparrows to remain, she symbolically embraces vitality, finds solace in nature, connects with her own youth, and accepts the inevitability of change. This decision highlights the depth of her character and her ability to find beauty and meaning in the simplest of things.
Community Answer
Why didn't the grandmother shoo the sparrows away? (The Portrait Of A ...
Grandmother never shoo the sparrow because actually when he come from village to city she feel very much loneliness because auther go school and study with homself so he get very less time to talk with grandmother .So for removing her loneliness grandmother use to feed a grain to spawarrowIn which she enjoy very much so there is great attractions between spawarrow and mother feeding grain to sparrow best part of her day due to this attractions grandmother never shoo the sparrow
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Why didn't the grandmother shoo the sparrows away? (The Portrait Of A Lady)?
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