Class 11 English (Core) | The Portrait of A Lady | By Khushwant Singh | Questions and Answers | Part-1

Question 1:

Notice these expressions in the text. Infer their meaning from the context.

● the thought was almost revolting

● an expanse of pure white serenity

● a turning-point

● accepted her seclusion with resignation

● a veritable bedlam of chirrupings

● frivolous rebukes

● the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum

Answer: 

● the thought was almost revolting – The thought that the author’s grandmother was once young and pretty raises doubt in the author's mind. He finds it too hard to believe.

✒This suggests that the idea or thought was so unpleasant or disturbing that it nearly caused disgust or strong disapproval.

● an expanse of pure white serenity – It refers to the author's grandmother's calm, peaceful and serene character and conduct. She is compared to the peaceful winter landscape in the mountains.

✒This phrase likely describes a vast, peaceful, and calm scene that is completely white, evoking a sense of tranquillity and purity.

● a turning point – It refers to the point where the author’s relationship with his grandmother changes drastically after they move to the city-house.

✒This refers to a critical moment or event that marks a significant change in direction, outcome, or perspective.

● accepted her seclusion with resignation – This shows the author’s grandmother’s passive submission to her secluded life after she gradually loses touch with her grandson.

✒This implies that the person has come to terms with their isolation or loneliness, accepting it without resistance or complaint, albeit with a sense of defeat or sadness.

● a veritable bedlam of chirruping – It refers to the noise, confusion and chaos caused by the chirruping of the sparrows that scattered and perched around the author’s grandmother.

✒This describes a chaotic or noisy situation filled with the sounds of chirping, likely from birds or insects, creating a sense of overwhelming commotion.

● frivolous rebukes – It refers to the casual and light-hearted rebukes (डाँट-फटकार) of the grandmother to the sparrows.

✒These are lighthearted or trivial criticisms or scoldings that lack seriousness or depth.

● the sagging skins of the dilapidated drum – It points to the shabby and deteriorated condition of the drum.

✒This paints a picture of an old, worn-out drum with loose or damaged surfaces, emphasizing its state of disrepair and neglect.

Question 2: Mention the three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left the country to study abroad.

Answer: The three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left the country to study abroad are given below.

The first phase was the period of the author’s early childhood. During this phase, he used to live with his grandmother in the village. The grandmother used to take care of him from waking him up and getting him ready to accompany him to school. Both shared a good friendship with each other.

The second phase was the time when the author and the grandmother moved to the city to live with the author’s parents. This was a turning point in their friendship because now they ‘saw less of each other’.

The third phase was the time the author joined the University. He was given a room of his own and the common link of their friendship was snapped. The grandmother turns to the wheel spinning and reciting prayers all day long. She accepts her seclusion with silence.

Question 3: Mention three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started going to the city school.

Answer: The author’s grandmother was unhappy after knowing that the things taught to him at school were related to Western science and learning. Secondly, she did not believe such things that were taught at his new school. She was disturbed that there was no teaching about God and scriptures. Thirdly, she was unhappy with the idea of music lessons being given at school. She considered music suitable only for people with low dignity. The disapproval of the grandmother was visible in her silence.

Question 4: Which language do you think the author and his grandmother used while talking to each other?

Answer: The author and his grandmother might have used their mother tongue to converse with each other. As the author, Khushwant Singh, belongs to Punjab, the language used by them might be Punjabi.

Question 5: Mention the three ways in which the author’s grandmother spent her days after he grew up.

Answer: The author’s grandmother “accepted her seclusion with resignation”. She spent her days of loneliness by engaging herself in the wheel-spinning activity, reciting prayers and feeding the sparrows.

Question 6: Mention the odd way in which the author’s grandmother behaved just before she died.

Answer: Before she passed away, something changed in her. She gathered the women from the area, picked up a broken drum, and spent the entire day singing about the warriors returning home. That day, she didn’t pray, which was something she usually did every day. The following day, she became ill and had a slight fever. She told her family that her time was near. She lay calmly in bed, praying and counting her beads. Before her family could even realise what was happening, her lips stopped moving, and the rosary slipped from her lifeless fingers.

Question 7: Mention how the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died.

Answer: The author’s grandmother had a special connection with the sparrows. She seemed happiest when she was feeding them. On the day she passed away, thousands of sparrows gathered quietly around her body, as if they were mourning her loss. They didn’t pay any attention to the bread crumbs that were thrown at them and flew away silently once her body was taken for the funeral. The next morning, the bread crumbs were swept up and thrown into the bin by the cleaner.

👉SEE ALSO:

The Portrait of A Lady - By Khuswant Singh (Chapter Summary)
We are not afraid to die... (Summary)
Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues... (Q & A)
Poem: The Laburnum Top (Theme and Synopsis)
Poem: Voice of The Rain (Q & A)