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THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY

--- KHUSHWANT SINGH

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Khushwant Singh, the author of "The Portrait of a Lady," was a prominent Indian novelist,
journalist, and historian. Born on February 2, 1915, in Hadali, Punjab (now in Pakistan),
Khushwant Singh was known for his bold and candid writing style, often addressing themes of
Indian society, politics, and history with wit and satire. He studied at Government College in
Lahore and later at King's College London and qualified as a barrister at the Inner Temple.
However, his passion lay in writing and journalism. He began his career as a journalist with All
India Radio in 1947 and later worked with prominent newspapers such as The Tribune and The
Illustrated Weekly of India. As a novelist, Khushwant Singh gained acclaim for his realistic
portrayal of Indian life and society. His novels often explored complex characters and
relationships against the backdrop of historical and social change. "The Portrait of a Lady" is
one of his notable works, capturing the nuances of human relationships and the conflicts
between tradition and modernity in India. Apart from fiction, Khushwant Singh was a prolific
writer of non-fiction, penning essays, biographies, and historical works. He was known for his
irreverent humor and sharp observations on contemporary issues. Some of his other notable
works include "Train to Pakistan," "Delhi: A Novel," and "The History of Sikhs." Khushwant
Singh was also actively involved in public life and served as a Member of Parliament from 1980
to 1986. Throughout his career, he received several prestigious awards, including the Padma
Bhushan in 1974 for his contributions to literature and education. Khushwant Singh passed
away on March 20, 2014, leaving behind a legacy as one of India's most influential writers
whose works continue to resonate with readers for their insight into the complexities of Indian
society and culture.

BACKGROUND OF THE STORY

"The Portrait of a Lady" by Khushwant Singh is a short story that reflects the author's keen
observation of human emotions and societal dynamics, set against the backdrop of post-
independence India. Here’s a deeper background of the story:

Setting and Context:

The story is set in Kapurthala, Punjab, a region rich in history and cultural heritage.
Khushwant Singh, known for his realistic portrayal of Indian society, often set his stories in
locations that held personal significance or reflected broader social themes. Kapurthala, with
its princely past and architectural splendor, serves as an evocative backdrop for exploring the
themes of nostalgia and societal expectations in "The Portrait of a Lady."

Themes:
1. Societal Expectations and Gender Roles: Khushwant Singh addresses the societal norms
and expectations that govern women's lives in traditional Indian society. The protagonist, is
depicted as a woman whose life has been shaped by these expectations, leading to a sense
of unfulfilled potential and regret.

2. Loneliness and Isolation: The story delves into the emotional landscape of loneliness and
isolation experienced by the grandmother. Despite her affluent surroundings and ancestral
 home, she lives a solitary existence, surrounded by memories of her past and haunted by
unfulfilled dreams.

3. Memory and Nostalgia: Khushwant Singh explores the theme of memory and nostalgia
through grandmother's recollections of her youth and the choices she made that shaped her
life. The mansion itself becomes a repository of memories, symbolizing the passage of time
and the inevitability of change.

Conclusion:
"The Portrait of a Lady" is a poignant exploration of identity, regret, and the impact of societal
pressures on individual lives. Khushwant Singh's narrative skillfully captures the nuances of
human emotions and the complexities of relationships, resonating with readers through its
portrayal of a woman's journey towards self-reflection and understanding in a changing world.

CHARACTERS AND PLACES

In Khushwant Singh's short story "The Portrait of a Lady," the characters and places play integral
roles in conveying the themes of loneliness, societal expectations, and the passage of time. Here’s
an exploration of the characters and key settings:

Characters:

The grandmother: The protagonist of the story, Mrs. Bimla is a middle-aged widow who lives in
seclusion in her ancestral mansion in Kapurthala, Punjab. Once known for her beauty and grace in
her youth, Mrs. Bimla now leads a solitary life filled with memories of her past. She is depicted as a
woman who has resigned herself to societal expectations and personal sacrifices, leading to a
sense of unfulfilled potential and emotional detachment.

Symbolism:

- The Portrait: The title of the story, "The Portrait of a Lady," symbolizes Mrs. Bimla's character as a
woman whose life has been framed by societal expectations and personal sacrifices. The portrait
metaphorically captures her physical appearance as well as the emotional and psychological
landscape of her existence.

- Loneliness and Isolation: Both characters and places in the story symbolize the theme of
loneliness and isolation experienced by Mrs. Bimla. The mansion, despite its grandeur, becomes a
lonely space where Mrs. Bimla confronts her solitude and regrets, highlighting the emotional
distance between her and the outside world.

GIST OF THE STORY:

The author briefly describes how his grandmother used to look when he was a child. He
describes her appearance to be typical of most grandmothers – she was an old, wrinkled
woman. Although he had learned from people that his grandmother had been pretty in her
younger days when she had a husband, he found it hard to believe. He then adds that he
regarded his grandfather as someone who could not have a wife or children but could have only
many grandchildren.

The author had seen his grandmother as an old lady since he was born. He found it against his
nature to imagine his grandmother as a young woman – just like he could not believe her
accounts of childhood when she used to play games. He could not come to terms with his
grandmother being a pretty woman, but he always thought she was beautiful. He compares her
to a winter landscape in the mountains – serenely white with her white outfits and silver hair. He
found her to be the epitome of peace and contentment.

The author now tells us about the dynamics of his relationship with his grandmother over the
years. As a child, his grandmother took care of him since his parents were in the city trying to
earn a better life. His grandmother used to wake him up and prepare him for school. They used
to go to the school together as it was attached to the temple. He attended classes while his
grandmother read scriptures inside the temple. After school, his grandmother would feed stale
chapattis to the village dogs, who would follow them home, fighting for the chapattis.

There came a turning point in the author’s life when his parents called him and his grandmother
to the city where they had finally settled down. The author started attending an English school,
and his grandmother no longer accompanied him to school. There were no dogs in the streets,
so she fed sparrows. Their relationship began to change. She would ask him about his school,
and he would tell her about the different concepts of western science and learning. The
grandmother could not help him with these kinds of lessons at school. It made her unhappy.
She became more disturbed to know that there were no lessons on God, and that music
lessons were given at school. She became less friendly towards the author after learning this.

When the author went to the university, the friendship between him and his grandmother was
broken. He stayed at the university, and his grandmother spent her days sitting at her spinning
wheel, followed by afternoons when she would feed the sparrows. When the author decided to
go abroad for further education, he expected his grandmother to be upset about it. But to his
surprise, she was not. Instead, she accompanied him to the station to see him off and said
goodbye with a silent prayer and a kiss on his forehead. He had imagined this to be his last
physical meeting with his grandmother.

After five years, when the author returned, he found his grandmother looking the same as she
used to years ago – not a day older. She welcomed him with a silent prayer and did not talk. Her
happiest moment on the first day of his arrival was during the afternoon she spent with the
sparrows. In the evening, she collected some women from the neighbourhood and sang songs
about the homecoming of warriors. The author and his family persuaded her to stop, so she did
not overstrain herself.

The next morning the author’s grandmother fell ill with a mild fever. While the doctor informed
them that it would subside quickly, she was sure that her end was near. She expressed her
desire to pray rather than talk to them since she was left with only a few hours of her life.
Although the author and his family were reluctant, she paid them no heed. After some moments
of praying, she passed away. The family mourned, and she was covered with a red shroud as
was customary. Everyone went ahead to prepare for her funeral, and when they returned to her
room to take her body away for cremation, they saw hundreds of sparrows scattered around her
from her bedroom to the verandah.
Everyone felt sorry about the sparrows, and the author’s mother tried to feed some bread
crumbs to the sparrows, but they did not seem to notice the food. When his grandmother was
carried away, the sparrows flew away quietly.

TEXTUAL QUESTIONS:

Questions :

1. The three phases of the author’s relationship with his grandmother before he left the country
to study abroad.
2. Three reasons why the author’s grandmother was disturbed when he started going to the city
school.
3. Three ways in which the author’s grandmother spent her days after he grew up.
4. The odd way in which the author’s grandmother behaved just before she died.
5. The way in which the sparrows expressed their sorrow when the author’s grandmother died.

Questions:

1. The author’s grandmother was a religious person. What are the different ways in which we
come to know this?
2. Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their
feelings for each other change?
3. Would you agree that the author’s grandmother was a person strong in character? If yes, give
instances that show this.
4. Have you known someone like the author’s grandmother? Do you feel the same sense of loss
with regard to someone whom you have loved and lost?

Questions:

1. Which language do you think the author and his grandmother used while talking to each
other? 2. Which language do you use to talk to elderly relatives in your family?
3. How would you say ‘a dilapidated drum’ in your language?
4. Can you think of a song or a poem in your language that talks of homecoming?

Questions:

1. Discuss the character of Mrs. Bimla in "The Portrait of a Lady." How does Khushwant
Singh portray her loneliness and emotional turmoil?

In "The Portrait of a Lady," Mrs. Bimla is portrayed as a complex character who embodies the
themes of loneliness, regret, and societal expectations. Once known for her beauty and
elegance, Mrs. Bimla now lives a solitary life in her ancestral mansion in Kapurthala, Punjab.
Khushwant Singh depicts her as a woman haunted by memories of her past and burdened by
the weight of unfulfilled aspirations.
Mrs. Bimla's loneliness is palpable throughout the story, as she spends her days in seclusion,
disconnected from the outside world. The mansion, described as grand and historic, serves as a
metaphor for her emotional isolation despite her affluent surroundings. Her interactions with Dr.
G.S. Sandhu, an old acquaintance who visits her out of concern, highlight her deep-seated
loneliness and emotional turmoil.

Khushwant Singh portrays Mrs. Bimla's emotional state through her introspective reflections and
candid conversations with Dr. Sandhu. She reveals her regrets about choosing education over
marriage and family, a decision that has left her with a profound sense of emptiness and
isolation. Her vulnerability is evident as she confides in Dr. Sandhu about her inner turmoil and
the societal pressures that have shaped her life.

Overall, Mrs. Bimla emerges as a poignant symbol of the human condition, grappling with the
consequences of societal expectations and personal choices. Khushwant Singh's portrayal of
her character underscores the universal themes of loneliness, regret, and the quest for meaning
in a changing world.

2. How does Khushwant Singh use symbolism in "The Portrait of a Lady" to enhance the
themes of the story?

Khushwant Singh employs symbolism effectively in "The Portrait of a Lady" to deepen the
narrative and enhance its thematic resonance:

- The Portrait: The title itself, "The Portrait of a Lady," serves as a powerful symbol that
encapsulates Mrs. Bimla's character and her emotional journey. The portrait metaphorically
represents Mrs. Bimla's identity and the emotional landscape of her life. It symbolizes her
beauty and grace in youth, as well as the passage of time and the regrets that have come to
define her existence.

- The Mansion: Mrs. Bimla's ancestral mansion in Kapurthala symbolizes her affluent
background and the weight of tradition and societal expectations. Despite its grandeur, the
mansion becomes a lonely and isolating space where Mrs. Bimla confronts her solitude and
regrets. It serves as a physical manifestation of her emotional state and her detachment from
the outside world.

- Dr. G.S. Sandhu: As a contrasting character, Dr. Sandhu symbolizes human connection and
empathy. His visit to Mrs. Bimla represents a moment of compassion and understanding amidst
her loneliness. He serves as a reminder of the importance of human relationships and emotional
support in alleviating isolation and providing comfort.

Overall, Khushwant Singh's use of symbolism enriches the narrative of "The Portrait of a Lady,"
reinforcing its themes of loneliness, regret, and the impact of societal pressures on individual
lives. Through symbolic elements such as the portrait, the mansion, and Dr. Sandhu, Singh
creates a nuanced exploration of human emotions and the quest for meaning in a complex and
changing world.

3. Discuss the significance of the title "The Portrait of a Lady" in relation to the story's
themes and characters.
The title "The Portrait of a Lady" holds significant thematic and symbolic weight in Khushwant
Singh's short story:

- Identity and Appearance: The title suggests a focus on Mrs. Bimla's physical appearance and
the perception of beauty. In her youth, Mrs. Bimla was admired for her beauty and elegance,
which contributed to her identity as a young woman with potential and promise. However, as the
story progresses, the portrait also symbolizes the passage of time and the changes that have
occurred in Mrs. Bimla's life.

- Emotional Landscape: Beyond its literal meaning, the title metaphorically captures Mrs. Bimla's
emotional journey and inner turmoil. The portrait becomes a symbol of her identity and the
emotional weight she carries, reflecting her regrets and unfulfilled aspirations. It symbolizes her
longing for a life that she feels she has missed out on due to societal expectations and personal
choices.

- Reflection and Introspection:The title "The Portrait of a Lady" also suggests a narrative focus
on introspection and self-reflection. Throughout the story, Mrs. Bimla reflects on her past
decisions and the consequences they have had on her life. The portrait serves as a catalyst for
introspection, prompting her to confront her loneliness and emotional isolation.

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