Character Sketch: A Photograph | English Class 11 PDF Download

Character Sketch of the Poet's Mother

• Nostalgic and Carefree – The poet’s mother, shown in the childhood photograph, represents youth, innocence, and carefree times, reflecting a period when life was simple and free from adult worries and ageing.
• Eternal in Memory – Although the poet’s mother has passed away, she lives forever in the photograph, keeping her young and lively image alive in the poet’s heart.
• Vulnerable to Time – The photograph reminds us of time passing, showing how she, like everyone, ages and eventually dies, highlighting the certainty of change and loss.
• Symbol of Loss – The mother’s absence now contrasts with the photo, symbolising the poet’s deep sense of loss and sadness. The photograph is a lasting link to her mother’s past, bringing feelings of grief and longing.

According to the poet Shirley Toulson, her mother had a beautiful face and a lovely smile, which shows she was cheerful and full of life. The photograph was taken by the seaside, indicating that her mother enjoyed adventures and likely liked spending time on beaches. In the photo, she was about twelve years old, with her cousins who were paddling. Many years later, she enjoyed remembering her cousins’ faces and how they dressed as children.

Character Sketch of the Poet

• Reflective and Sentimental – The poet thinks deeply about the photograph, showing a sentimental longing for her mother’s lost youth and the memories the photo brings. The image connects her to the past, where she reflects on time passing and her mother’s life.
• Grieving and Emotional – The poet’s grief is clear, as she mourns not just her mother’s death but also the changes brought by time. The photograph stirs emotions linked to her mother’s absence.
• Vulnerable and Thoughtful – The poet feels vulnerable as she accepts the reality of loss and the unchanging nature of time. The photograph makes her face life’s fleeting nature and the sadness it causes.
• Emotionally Connected – The poet’s strong emotional bond with the photograph shows the deep love she had for her mother. The photo is more than an image; it is a symbol of love, loss, and memory.
  Shirley Toulson was an English writer born in May 1924. In the poem ‘A Photograph’, Toulson explores important themes such as loss, memory, and time. The poem focuses on the speaker’s memories of her own life and her mother’s past. Her words show gentle sadness, not only for her mother’s death but also for the passing of time that changed their lives. She understands that loss is part of life but holds on to the love and memories the photograph keeps alive. Through her writing, she shows the strong bond between mother and daughter, and how some moments remain alive in memory even after people are gone.