Poem: A Photograph By Shirley Toulson | Summary | Class 11 English - Hornbill #eduvictors

Poem: A Photograph By Shirley Toulson | Summary | Class 11 English - HornBill 

Summary:

The poet looks at an old photograph of her mother as a child, enjoying a seaside holiday with her two cousins. The picture shows them standing in the shallow water, their feet temporarily against the everlasting sea. This contrast reminds the poet how short human life is compared to nature, which changes very slowly. The poem also shows us the poet’s mother’s happy and exciting childhood. At twelve years old, she spent her holidays by the sea, playing in the water with her cousins. She wore pretty, colourful dresses that matched the fun beach atmosphere.

The second stanza refers to the poet’s childhood days when her mother had become an adult. It depicts her mother recalling her childhood days while looking at an old photograph of hers

The poet imagines how her mother would have laughed at this photo later in life, maybe feeling sad that her childhood joy was gone. 

In the last stanza, the poet’s adult life is described in which her mother is not with her anymore. The poet’s mother has been dead for twelve years, and thinking about this makes the poet feel lonely and heartbroken. The pain is so deep that she has no words, but over time, she has slowly learned to accept this loss.

In the end, the poem teaches us that time changes everything. Some changes bring sadness, like losing happy moments or people we love. Photos remind us of these changes—how happiness and beauty fade with time, leaving us with bittersweet memories. However, change is a natural part of life. While people grow old and their beauty fades, nature (like the sea or mountains) stays beautiful forever.

Key Points:

Photo Memory – The poet’s mother had a joyful childhood seaside holiday.

Life vs. Nature – Human life is short; nature lasts much longer.

Loss & Sadness – The poet misses her mother and feels speechless with grief.

Change is Natural – Time takes away happiness and beauty, but we must accept it.

Photos Tell Stories – They freeze happy moments but also remind us of what’s lost.

👉SEE ALSO:

The Portrait of A Lady - By Khuswant Singh (Chapter Summary)
The Portrait of A Lady - Questions & Answers(Part-1)


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)

Class 11 English Core - Unit Test Paper 1 (2019-20)
Class 11 English - Annual Question Paper (2020-21)
Class 11 Unit Test Papers (Term 1) 2022-23