Previous Year: Long Questions With Answers - The Portrait of a Lady | English Class 11 PDF Download

Q1. Describe the friendship between Khushwant Singh and his grandmother.
Ans: Khushwant Singh’s grandmother played a significant role in his upbringing while he lived with her in the village. She would wake him early each morning, singing her prayers as she bathed and dressed him, hoping he would learn them by heart. After breakfast, which consisted of a stale chapati with butter and sugar, they would walk together to the temple and school. While he studied, she read holy books, and they would return home together. However, their friendship faced a turning point when his parents called them to the city. Although they shared a room, she struggled to support him in his studies, as she disapproved of music, science, and Western education. This shift gradually severed the bond they once had. In the city, the school was no longer attached to the temple, and he travelled by bus. His grandmother took to feeding sparrows in their courtyard, and as time passed, they saw less of each other. When he decided to go abroad for further studies, he feared she would be upset, but she remained composed, praying silently as she saw him off. Upon his return after five years, she appeared unchanged, still devoted to her prayers and the sparrows she loved. However, her health declined, and she stopped praying shortly before her death, indicating a profound change in their relationship.

Q2. Draw a character sketch of Khushwant Singh’s grandmother as portrayed by him in the lesson ‘The Portrait of a Lady’. (NCT 2007)
Ans: The narrator's grandmother was a true embodiment of love, affection, and care. She possessed the virtues commonly associated with grandmothers. Although she was deeply religious, she held conservative views. Her presence radiated peace and contentment, enhanced by her spotless white dress and silver hair, which contributed to her spiritual beauty. Physically, the grandmother was not conventionally attractive; her face was marked by deep wrinkles. However, her profound love for her grandson was evident in her daily actions. She prepared him for school, accompanied him there, and welcomed him home each day. Her devotion extended beyond her family; she showed compassion for animals, feeding village dogs and sparrows alike. Despite her nurturing nature, the grandmother was quite traditional. She disapproved of the English language and science, associating music with negative connotations, viewing it as linked to beggars and prostitutes.

Q3. Describe how the common bond of friendship was broken when the narrator’s parents called them in the city.
Ans: The narrator and his grandmother shared a strong bond in the village, where he relied on her completely. However, this relationship changed when his parents called him to the city. He began attending an English school by bus, which meant his grandmother could no longer accompany him as she did in the village. Her role diminished; she was unable to assist him with his studies due to her lack of knowledge in English and Science. Additionally, she disliked the music lessons offered at the school, which made her feel sad and distant. As time passed, they saw less of each other, especially when he went to university, further straining their connection. Ultimately, she accepted her loneliness without complaint, showing no emotion when he left for abroad. This marked the end of their friendship, as she quietly resigned to her solitude.

Q4. What image of the grandmother emerges from “The Portrait of a Lady”?
Ans: Khushwant Singh’s grandmother is depicted as a very old woman, characterised by her short stature, plumpness, and slight stoop. Her face is marked by numerous wrinkles, and she is always seen in spotless white clothes. A deeply religious person, she constantly engages in silent prayer, often moving her lips and counting the beads of her rosary. She regularly visits the temple and reads scriptures. The grandmother is also portrayed as a kind individual, feeding dogs in the village and sparrows in the city. Her affection for her grandson is evident, as she takes care of him in the village. However, she struggles to adapt to the western lifestyle, including science and English education. She disapproves of music, associating it with negative connotations, and is distressed by the absence of teachings about God and holy texts at Khushwant's new English school. Overall, she is a loving, kind-hearted, and devout lady.

Q5. The grandmother herself was not formally educated but was serious about the author’s education. How does the text support this?
Ans: The grandmother was very serious about the author's education. She would wake him up each morning and prepare him for school. She washed his wooden slate, covered it with yellow chalk, and bundled his earthen ink-pot and red pen together. After a simple breakfast, they would walk to school together, as it was attached to the temple where the priest taught the alphabet and morning prayers. While he learned, she would read the scriptures inside. As the author progressed to an English school, she waited for him to return and asked about his lessons. However, she could not assist him with his studies and was distressed by what he was learning, particularly music, which she deemed inappropriate for gentlefolk. Her disapproval was evident in her silence, and this led to a noticeable change in their relationship. Despite her lack of formal education, the grandmother's dedication to the author's learning was profound, reflecting her deep concern for his future.