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THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY 11
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ???? ?? ? ???? ?
The cardboard shows me how it was
When the two girl cousins went paddling,
Each one holding one of my mother’s hands,
And she the big girl — some twelve years or so.
All three stood still to smile through their hair
At the uncle with the camera. A sweet face,
My mother’s, that was before I was born.
And the sea, which appears to have changed less,
Washed their terribly transient feet.
Some twenty — thirty — years later
She’d laugh at the snapshot. “See Betty
And Dolly,” she’d say, “and look how they
Dressed us for the beach.” The sea holiday
Was her past, mine is her laughter. Both wry
With the laboured ease of loss.
Now she’s been dead nearly as many years
As that girl lived. And of this circumstance
There is nothing to say at all.
Its silence silences.
Infer the meanings of the following words from the context.
paddling transient
Now look up the dictionary to see if your inference is right.
Rationalised 2023-24
Page 2


THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY 11
? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
? ? ? ???? ?? ? ???? ?
The cardboard shows me how it was
When the two girl cousins went paddling,
Each one holding one of my mother’s hands,
And she the big girl — some twelve years or so.
All three stood still to smile through their hair
At the uncle with the camera. A sweet face,
My mother’s, that was before I was born.
And the sea, which appears to have changed less,
Washed their terribly transient feet.
Some twenty — thirty — years later
She’d laugh at the snapshot. “See Betty
And Dolly,” she’d say, “and look how they
Dressed us for the beach.” The sea holiday
Was her past, mine is her laughter. Both wry
With the laboured ease of loss.
Now she’s been dead nearly as many years
As that girl lived. And of this circumstance
There is nothing to say at all.
Its silence silences.
Infer the meanings of the following words from the context.
paddling transient
Now look up the dictionary to see if your inference is right.
Rationalised 2023-24
12 HORNBILL
Think it out
1. What does the word ‘cardboard’ denote in the poem? Why has
this word been used?
2. What has the camera captured?
3. What has not changed over the years? Does this suggest
something to you?
4. The poet’s mother laughed at the snapshot. What did this laugh
indicate?
5. What is the meaning of the line “Both wry with the laboured ease of
loss.”
6. What does “this circumstance” refer to?
7. The three stanzas depict three different phases. What are they?
Notes
Poems are included to heighten students’ sensitivity to literary
writing and to appreciate rhythm and sound patterns in language.
Follow these steps:
? Read the poem aloud once without the students looking at the
poem. Ask them a few general questions.
? Re-read the poem with the students looking at the poem. Ask a
few more questions to check comprehension.
? Ask students to read the poem silently and answer the questions
given, first orally and then in writing.
? The poem ‘A Photograph’ is placed after ‘The Portrait of a Lady’
because of the thematic relation between the two.
? The questions seek to examine factual and infer ential
comprehension, establish empathy and draw attention to the
structure of the poem and choice of words.
Rationalised 2023-24
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FAQs on NCERT Textbook - A Photograph - English Class 11

1. What is the summary of the poem "A Photograph" by Shirley Toulson?
Ans. The poem "A Photograph" by Shirley Toulson is about a photograph that captures a moment from the poet's childhood. The photograph shows the poet's mother, who has already passed away, along with her cousins. The poet reflects on the frozen memories captured in the photograph and the emotions they evoke.
2. What are the themes explored in the poem "A Photograph" by Shirley Toulson?
Ans. The poem "A Photograph" explores themes of time, memory, loss, and nostalgia. It delves into the bittersweet nature of memories and how photographs serve as a tangible connection to the past. The poem also highlights the transient nature of life and the inevitability of death.
3. How does the poet convey the emotions of nostalgia and loss in "A Photograph"?
Ans. The poet conveys the emotions of nostalgia and loss in "A Photograph" through vivid imagery and poignant descriptions. She describes the frozen memories in the photograph, the absence of her mother, and the fleeting moments of happiness captured in the image. The use of past tense and nostalgic tone further emphasizes the longing for the past and the sadness of losing loved ones.
4. What is the significance of the title "A Photograph" in the poem by Shirley Toulson?
Ans. The title "A Photograph" is significant as it sets the central focus of the poem. The photograph serves as a visual representation of memories and acts as a trigger for the poet's feelings of nostalgia and loss. It symbolizes the preservation of moments in time and the lasting impact they have on the poet's emotions.
5. How does the poet's perspective change throughout the poem "A Photograph"?
Ans. In the beginning, the poet's perspective is one of fond remembrance and nostalgia as she recalls the photograph from her childhood. However, as the poem progresses, the poet's perspective shifts to a more melancholic tone as she realizes the fleeting nature of happiness and the irreversible loss of her mother. The poem ends with a somber reflection on the passage of time and the impermanence of life.
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