Detailed Summary of “The Portrait of a Lady” by Khushwant Singh
The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh’s deeply personal short story and poignant account of his relationship with his grandmother. It is a reflective narrative that not only provides insight into the protagonist’s childhood but also explores themes of love, devotion, cultural transition, and mortality. The story is told from the first-person perspective, allowing the reader to experience the narrator’s emotions as he recalls his time with his grandmother and her eventual passing.
Khushwant Singh was an Indian author, lawyer, diplomat, journalist and politician. His experience in the 1947 Partition of India inspired him to write Train to Pakistan in 1956, which became his most well-known novel.
Introduction
The Portrait of a Lady’s story begins with the narrator as he describing the portrait of his grandmother, which gives the piece its title. He remembers her as an old woman, deeply religious and somewhat detached from the modern world. He acknowledges that it is difficult for him to imagine her as ever having been young and beautiful. For as long as he can remember, she had always been old, with a wrinkled face, a slightly stooped posture, and a quiet but strong presence. He recalls the way she dressed in white, symbolizing purity and devotion, and how she always kept herself engaged in prayer and religious rituals. Her simplicity, combined with her deep faith, left an indelible impression on the narrator’s childhood.
Childhood and Bond with Grandmother
The narrator and his grandmother shared a close bond during his early childhood. He lived with her in a village where she played a significant role in his upbringing. Since his parents lived in the city, the grandmother was responsible for taking care of him. She would wake him up in the morning, help him get ready for school, and even accompany him there. The village school was attached to a temple, and education was primarily religious. The students learned the alphabet, prayers, and scriptures. While the children studied, the grandmother sat inside the temple, reading scriptures and praying. She was deeply involved in her faith and saw religious education as essential for a meaningful life. The narrator recalls how, on the way back from school, his grandmother would feed the village dogs with the stale chapatis she had brought from home. This simple act of kindness reflected her compassion for all living beings.
The Shift to the City and Growing Distance
A major turning point in their relationship came when the narrator and his parents moved to the city. The grandmother also moved with them, but the change in lifestyle caused a growing distance between them. In the city, the narrator attended an English school, which his grandmother disapproved of. Unlike the village school, his new education did not include lessons on God and spirituality, which saddened her. As he progressed in his studies, he began learning subjects like science and English, and he could no longer relate to his grandmother’s world of religious devotion. She found it difficult to comprehend subjects like mathematics and science, particularly when he mentioned things like the law of gravity. This disconnect between their worldviews created a silent gap between them.
The another source of disappointment for the grandmother was that he no longer needed her help with his studies. She had always played an active role in his education in the village, but in the city, he had new books and new subjects that she did not understand. Moreover, he now traveled to school in a motor bus, which meant she no longer walked with him as she had in the village. This further distanced them from each other. Despite these changes, the grandmother adapted to her new life in the city. Although she no longer had the same role in her grandson’s education, she remained occupied with her prayers and spinning the wheel (charkha). She spent most of her time reciting prayers and feeding the sparrows instead of the village dogs. This new routine gave her a sense of purpose and peace.
Further Alienation – The Narrator’s Higher Studies
The emotional gap between the narrator and his grandmother widened even further when he went to study at a university. His new academic pursuits meant he spent less time with her, and their conversations became minimal. She accepted this change with silent resignation and continued her daily routine. The ultimate moment of separation came when he went abroad for further studies. While the narrator worried about how his grandmother would react to his long absence, she remained composed. She did not display any emotions or sadness, but instead continued praying and engaging in her usual activities. Before his departure, she came to see him off but showed no outward signs of grief. During his five-year stay abroad, their communication was limited, but whenever he thought of her, he imagined her praying and feeding the sparrows. He believed that she remained unchanged, dedicated to her faith and routine.
The Grandmother’s Last Days
When the narrator returned home after five years, he was surprised to see that his grandmother looked the same—frail, old, and deeply engrossed in prayer. However, he noticed a significant change in her behavior. Instead of maintaining her usual calm and reserved nature, she seemed unexpectedly happy and energetic. In an unusual display of joy, she gathered women from the neighborhood and sang songs with them, celebrating her grandson’s return. This was the first time in years that she had broken away from her solemn routine. The narrator and his family were taken aback by this behavior.
Unfortunately, the next day, she fell ill. Though her condition was not critical, she refused to talk to anyone and stopped eating. She lay quietly in bed, praying continuously with her fingers moving over the beads of her rosary. It seemed as if she had accepted that her end was near. The family tried to care for her, but she remained detached, completely absorbed in her prayers. After a few hours, she passed away peacefully, as if she had been waiting for the right moment to leave.
The Funeral and the Sparrows’ Mourning
What followed her death was a deeply moving and symbolic event. As her body lay in the house, thousands of sparrows gathered around, sitting in silence. They filled the entire room and courtyard but made no noise. Unlike their usual chirping and playful behavior, they sat quietly, mourning her loss in their own way. The family tried to feed them, but the sparrows did not touch the food. Their silent mourning lasted until the cremation was over, after which they flew away. This profound moment suggested a deep, unspoken bond between the grandmother and nature. Her kindness toward the sparrows had created a connection so strong that they too grieved her passing.
Themes in the Story
- 1. Love and Devotion – The grandmother’s unconditional love for her grandson and her devotion to religion form the backbone of the story.
- 2. Cultural Transition – The contrast between rural and urban life highlights the inevitable shift in traditions and values as societies modernize.
- 3. Alienation and Change – As the narrator grows, he becomes increasingly distant from his grandmother, symbolizing the generational gap.
- 4. Mortality and Spirituality – The grandmother’s life and death are deeply intertwined with spirituality, and her acceptance of death reflects her unwavering faith.
- 5. Symbolism of the Sparrows – The sparrows mourning her death symbolize her deep connection with nature and the impact of her kindness on all living beings.
Conclusion
The Portrait of a Lady is a touching narrative about the bond between a grandmother and her grandson. Through simple yet evocative storytelling, Khushwant Singh captures the essence of relationships, change, and the inevitable passage of time. The story serves as a nostalgic reflection on love, faith, and the quiet, yet profound, impact of an elder’s presence in our lives.
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