Class 11th chapter 1 The Portrait of a Lady

Short Answer Questions


1. Question: How did the narrator describe his grandmother’s physical appearance?

Answer: The narrator described his grandmother as a short, stout, and slightly bent old woman. Her face was wrinkled, and she always appeared calm and serene, like a winter landscape.



2. Question: What were the daily activities of the grandmother in the village?

Answer: In the village, the grandmother spent her time spinning the wheel, feeding sparrows, and praying. She also helped the narrator with his studies by reading scriptures.



3. Question: Why did the grandmother accompany the narrator to school in the village?

Answer: The grandmother accompanied the narrator to school because the school was attached to the temple. While he studied, she read religious scriptures in the temple.



4. Question: How did the narrator and his grandmother’s relationship change in the city?

Answer: In the city, their relationship weakened because they shared fewer activities. The narrator attended an English school and later university, which distanced him from her.



5. Question: Why did the grandmother oppose the teachings at the narrator’s city school?

Answer: The grandmother opposed the teachings because they were focused on Western science and music, which she considered inappropriate and irreligious.



6. Question: How did the grandmother react when the narrator went abroad?

Answer: The grandmother remained composed and did not show any emotions. She kept praying and maintained her usual calm demeanor, trusting in God’s will.



7. Question: How did the grandmother spend her last days?

Answer: In her last days, the grandmother stopped talking to anyone and focused entirely on praying and singing hymns. She felt her end was near.



8. Question: What was unique about the sparrows after the grandmother’s death?

Answer: After her death, thousands of sparrows sat quietly around her body. They neither chirped nor ate anything, as if mourning her loss.



9. Question: How does the story depict the grandmother’s spirituality?

Answer: The grandmother’s spirituality is depicted through her constant prayer, reading scriptures, and simple, disciplined lifestyle dedicated to God.



10. Question: Why is the chapter titled "The Portrait of a Lady”?

Answer: The title symbolizes the narrator’s fond remembrance and vivid description of his grandmother, painting a mental “portrait” of her life, personality, and values.





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Long Answer Question


Question: Discuss the bond between the narrator and his grandmother and how it evolves over time.


Answer: The bond between the narrator and his grandmother is rooted in love, care, and shared experiences. In the village, they share a close relationship. She takes care of him, helps him with his studies, and accompanies him to school. However, their bond undergoes a change when they move to the city. The narrator becomes engrossed in modern education and later his career, which the grandmother disapproves of. Despite the growing distance, their mutual respect and affection remain intact. The grandmother’s love is unwavering, and she continues to pray for his well-being. Her death deeply affects the narrator, leaving him with a poignant memory of their relationship and her spiritual legacy.


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