Skip to main content

The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh summary

Class 11 English notes

Summary 

 Chapter – 1
The Portrait of a Lady

By Khushwant Singh

Summary

Khushwant  is one of the prominent Indian writers and columnists. He has written on various themes and issues. In this lesson he gives a detailed account of his grandmother who had a  long association with him. The old, stout, short and a little bent grandmother are clad in white clothes and keeps on telling beads of her rosary.
During their long stay in village, the grandmother used to wake up the narrator in the morning and accompanied him to school. She took care of all small things and continued her regular prayers and reading of scriptures. On the way back home she fed straydogs with stale chapatis.
Shifting to city ho me was a turning point as it increased distances in their relationship. Now, the author was going to a city school and studying all modern day subjects. The grandmother was not able to help the author in his studies and she felt disturbed as there was no teaching of God and scriptures.
The grandmother devoted her time in praying, spinning and feeding sparrows. She did not get disturbed when the author was leaving for abroad and saw him off maintaining her peace and calm. Seeing her old age, the narrator thought that that could be his last meeting with his affectionate grandmother. But, contrary to his thinking after a span of five years the grandmother was there to receive him. She celebrated her grandson’s home coming in an usual way by beating a drum and singing. She had a peaceful end and everyone including sparrows got aggrieved at the demise of a bold, religious, practical, responsible and loving person.


Comments

Read this Article

Space-Time Fabric-what-how-why-science

 Space-Time Fabric: A Complete Overview The concept of space-time fabric originates from Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity (1915). It describes how gravity is not just a force (as Newton thought) but rather the curvature of space and time caused by mass and energy. This explanation transformed our understanding of the universe. 1. What is Space-Time? The Four-Dimensional Continuum In classical physics, space and time were seen as separate entities: Space: A three-dimensional framework (length, width, height). Time: A separate, independent dimension that flows uniformly. However, Einstein’s Special Relativity (1905) showed that space and time are deeply linked, forming a four-dimensional continuum called space-time: 1. Three spatial dimensions (X, Y, Z – length, width, height). 2. One time dimension (T – the passage of time). Thus, events in the universe occur at specific points in this four-dimensional fabric, leading to the term space-time fabric. 2. How Does Gravity ...

Climate Change and Los Angeles Wildfires

  Climate Change and Los Angeles Wildfires: A Growing Crisis Wildfires in Los Angeles have become more frequent and destructive, largely driven by climate change. Rising global temperatures, prolonged droughts, and extreme weather events are fueling this escalating problem, posing serious risks to people, property, and the environment. How Climate Change Fuels Los Angeles Wildfires 1. Rising Temperatures Climate change has led to higher temperatures, creating hotter and drier conditions. These extreme conditions dry out vegetation, turning it into flammable fuel for wildfires. 2. Longer Fire Seasons California’s wildfire season now spans almost the entire year. This extended season is caused by earlier snowmelt, reduced rainfall, and prolonged dry spells due to climate change. 3. Drought and Vegetation Stress Persistent droughts in Los Angeles weaken vegetation, making it more susceptible to fires. Climate change exacerbates these droughts, increasing wildfire risks. 4. Extreme Wea...

NEET UG 2025 - Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility & More

NEET UG 2025 - Exam Date, Syllabus, Pattern, Eligibility & More NEET UG 2025 - Complete Guide Your ultimate guide to NEET UG 2025 - Exam Date, Syllabus, Eligibility, Application & More. Overview Eligibility Exam Pattern Syllabus Application Cutoff Preparation Tips 1. NEET UG 2025 Overview Exam Name National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG) Conducting Body National Testing Agency (NTA) Exam Mode Offline (Pen & Paper) Duration 3 hours 20 minutes Total Marks 720 Negative Marking Yes (-1 for wrong answer) 2. NEET UG 2025 Eligibility Minimum Age: 17 years (as of Dec 31, 2025) No upper ag...