“The Portrait of a Lady” is a humorous and satirical short story by Khushwant Singh that revolves around the experiences of the narrator, who visits his grandmother, referred to as “the lady” in the story. The story is set in the early 20th century in India, reflecting the lifestyle, culture, and societal norms of that time.
The narrator’s grandmother is a strong, authoritarian, and quirky woman. She has a strict and unusual sense of discipline, often enforcing her rules in amusing and sometimes harsh ways. She is deeply religious, superstitious, and possesses a sharp wit. Despite her harshness, she is also affectionate and genuinely cares for her family, though her methods of showing love are unconventional.
The story humorously depicts the generational and cultural gap between the old and young. The narrator experiences fear, confusion, and amazement at his grandmother’s eccentric ways, yet he admires her intelligence, resilience, and strong personality. Through the grandmother’s character, Khushwant Singh presents a vivid portrait of the older generation in Indian society – their traditions, beliefs, and authority within the family.
The narrative is filled with amusing anecdotes and clever dialogues, making it entertaining while providing subtle social commentary. The story highlights the clash between modernity and tradition, the complexities of familial relationships, and the impact of upbringing and social norms on personality.
In essence, “The Portrait of a Lady” is not just a personal recollection but a satirical reflection on Indian society, family hierarchy, and human nature. Khushwant Singh’s humor, observational skill, and rich character portrayal make it a memorable story that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
“द पोर्ट्रेट ऑफ़ ए लेडी” खुशवंत सिंह की हास्यपूर्ण और व्यंग्यात्मक कहानी है, जो कथाकार और उसकी दादी के अनुभवों के इर्द-गिर्द घूमती है। कहानी बीसवीं सदी की शुरुआत के भारत में स्थापित है और उस समय की जीवनशैली, संस्कृति और सामाजिक नियमों को दर्शाती है।
कथाकार की दादी एक मज़बूत, सख्त और विचित्र महिला हैं। उनका अनुशासन कठोर और कभी-कभी हास्यास्पद होता है। वह धार्मिक और अंधविश्वासी भी हैं, साथ ही उनकी बुद्धि तेज और चतुर है। कठोरता के बावजूद वह अपने परिवार की भलाई और सुरक्षा के प्रति स्नेही हैं, लेकिन उनका प्रेम दिखाने का तरीका असामान्य है।
कहानी में पुरानी और नई पीढ़ी के बीच अंतर का हास्यपूर्ण चित्रण मिलता है। कथाकार अपनी दादी की विचित्रताओं से भयभीत, उलझन में और हैरान रहता है, लेकिन उनकी बुद्धिमत्ता, साहस और व्यक्तित्व की प्रशंसा करता है। दादी के चरित्र के माध्यम से खुशवंत सिंह भारतीय समाज की पुरानी पीढ़ी – उनकी परंपराओं, विश्वासों और परिवार में अधिकार को जीवंत रूप में पेश करते हैं।
कहानी में मज़ेदार किस्से और चतुर संवाद हैं, जो इसे मनोरंजक बनाते हैं और साथ ही सामाजिक टिप्पणी भी देते हैं। यह आधुनिकता और परंपरा के संघर्ष, पारिवारिक रिश्तों की जटिलताओं और व्यक्तित्व पर सामाजिक नियमों के प्रभाव को उजागर करती है।
सार में, “द पोर्ट्रेट ऑफ़ ए लेडी” केवल व्यक्तिगत अनुभव नहीं बल्कि भारतीय समाज, परिवारिक ढांचे और मानव स्वभाव पर व्यंग्यात्मक चिंतन है। खुशवंत सिंह का हास्य, सूक्ष्म निरीक्षण और जीवंत चरित्र चित्रण इसे यादगार और विचारोत्तेजक कहानी बनाता है।
1. Who is the central character of the story?
a) The narrator’s grandfather
b) The narrator’s mother
c) The narrator’s grandmother ✅
d) The narrator
2. What is the main theme of the story?
a) Love and romance
b) Humor and satire ✅
c) Adventure and journey
d) Mystery
3. How is the grandmother portrayed in the story?
a) Weak and timid
b) Strong, strict, and witty ✅
c) Careless and lazy
d) Silent and shy
4. What kind of relationship exists between the narrator and his grandmother?
a) Friendly and equal
b) Fearful and respectful ✅
c) Hostile and aggressive
d) Distant and cold
5. What is the grandmother deeply attached to?
a) Modern ideas
b) Tradition and religion ✅
c) Traveling
d) Education
6. The story highlights the clash between:
a) Two families
b) Two countries
c) Modernity and tradition ✅
d) Rich and poor
7. Which literary style is predominantly used in the story?
a) Tragedy
b) Horror
c) Satire and humor ✅
d) Mystery
8. The narrator feels __________ in the presence of his grandmother.
a) Fear, amazement, and admiration ✅
b) Anger and hatred
c) Boredom and disinterest
d) Confusion only
9. What role does humor play in the story?
a) It makes the story boring
b) It creates tension
c) It entertains and conveys social commentary ✅
d) It hides the main theme
10. What does the story reflect about Indian society?
a) Its colonial history
b) Its humor, traditions, and family hierarchy ✅
c) Its geography
d) Its politics
1. Who wrote the story “The Portrait of a Lady”?
Ans: The story “The Portrait of a Lady” was written by Khushwant Singh. It is a humorous and satirical description of his grandmother, her habits, and the relationship between the old and young generation in Indian society.
2. How is the grandmother described in the story?
Ans: The grandmother is described as a strong, disciplined, and religious woman. She is also strict and sometimes harsh, but she has deep love for her family. Her eccentric behavior makes the story both humorous and interesting.
3. What are the grandmother’s main qualities?
Ans: The grandmother is religious, conservative, disciplined, witty, and caring. She strictly follows traditions, teaches moral values, and maintains authority in the family. Though sometimes feared, she is respected and loved for her strength and devotion.
4. How does the story show the generation gap?
Ans: The story highlights differences between old and new generations. The grandmother represents tradition and strict discipline, while the narrator symbolizes youth and modern outlook. Their differences create both humor and admiration in the story.
5. What role does humor play in the story?
Ans: Humor makes the story entertaining and light. The grandmother’s strict rules, witty remarks, and unusual ways are described humorously, yet they also reflect her strong personality and the cultural values of Indian society.
6. Why is the grandmother called the ‘lady’ in the title?
Ans: The grandmother is central to the story. Her personality, behavior, and beliefs form the core of the narrative. She is the ‘lady’ whose portrait is drawn through words, highlighting her importance in family and society.
7. What does the story reflect about Indian society?
Ans: The story reflects India’s traditional culture, religious beliefs, family bonds, and respect for elders. It also shows how old traditions often clash with modern ideas, but still remain central in shaping family life.
8. What was the narrator’s attitude towards his grandmother?
Ans: The narrator felt a mixture of fear, amazement, and admiration. Though sometimes afraid of her strictness, he respected her wisdom and discipline. He also observed her eccentricities with humor and affection.
9. How is the grandmother’s love shown in the story?
Ans: The grandmother’s love is shown through her discipline and care. She is strict, but all her actions are meant for the good of the family. Her way of showing affection is unusual, yet genuine.
10. What is the main message of the story?
Ans: The main message is that elders hold an important role in shaping family traditions and values. Though their ways may appear old-fashioned, they deserve respect, as they represent wisdom, experience, and strength.
1. Describe the character of the grandmother in the story.
Answer: In “The Portrait of a Lady”, the grandmother is portrayed as a strong, disciplined, and religious woman. She is deeply attached to traditions and spends most of her time praying, telling beads, and teaching moral values. She is very strict about discipline, which often makes her appear stern and dominating. At the same time, she has a caring and affectionate side. She takes care of the narrator during his childhood and ensures that he learns respect, discipline, and responsibility. Her eccentric behavior, such as scolding, strictness, and unusual remarks, adds humor to the story. She represents the older generation of Indian society that holds on to culture and religion despite changes in modern life. Through her character, Khushwant Singh shows that although elders may appear conservative, they are the backbone of family traditions and values. She is respected not only as a grandmother but as a symbol of wisdom and strength.
2. How does the story highlight the generation gap between the narrator and his grandmother?
Answer: The story strongly highlights the generation gap between old and young. The grandmother represents the older generation that values religion, discipline, and traditions. She believes in teaching moral values through stories and religious practices. On the other hand, the narrator represents the younger generation, who is modern and curious about new ways of life. He observes his grandmother’s strange habits with both amazement and humor. At times, he feels afraid of her authority but later admires her strong personality. The differences in their lifestyle, thinking, and beliefs reflect how tradition and modernity often clash within families. The grandmother is against modern education, while the narrator is more inclined toward change and progress. However, despite these differences, there is mutual respect and affection between them. The story shows that the generation gap is natural, yet it can coexist with love, care, and admiration within a family.
3. What role does humor and satire play in the story?
Answer: Humor and satire play an important role in “The Portrait of a Lady.” Khushwant Singh uses light, witty language to describe his grandmother’s personality and actions. Her strict rules, unusual ways of showing affection, and sharp remarks add comic effect to the narrative. For example, her eccentric behavior and religious obsession are described in a humorous manner, making her both amusing and admirable at the same time. This humor prevents the story from becoming too serious and instead makes it engaging and relatable. Alongside humor, the story also has satire. It subtly criticizes blind faith, excessive discipline, and rigid traditions while still respecting them. By combining humor and satire, the writer not only entertains the reader but also provides a deep understanding of family relationships, traditions, and cultural values. This balance of humor and social commentary makes the story memorable and exam-relevant.
4. What values of Indian society are reflected in the story?
Answer: The story reflects many values of Indian society, especially those of the older generation. The grandmother symbolizes traditional India, where religion, discipline, and moral values play a central role in daily life. She spends her time praying, teaching, and maintaining order within the family. Respect for elders is an important value shown in the story. The narrator, despite differences in thinking, always respects and admires his grandmother. The story also shows the importance of family bonds. Elders play a guiding role in the upbringing of children, and their authority is accepted by the younger generation. Another important value is the coexistence of modernity and tradition. Although there is a generation gap, both perspectives are presented with balance. The story captures the essence of Indian culture where traditions are respected, elders are honored, and families remain connected across generations, despite differences in thought and lifestyle.
5. What is the central idea or message of the story?
Answer: The central idea of “The Portrait of a Lady” is the importance of elders in shaping family life and traditions. Through the grandmother’s character, Khushwant Singh highlights values like discipline, faith, and respect for culture. The story also emphasizes the natural differences between generations. The younger generation may not always agree with the older one, yet the love and respect for elders remain strong. Another important message is that humor and love can exist alongside strictness and tradition. The grandmother’s strict nature sometimes creates fear, but her care and wisdom make her admirable. The story also reflects that modernization and tradition often clash, but both are necessary parts of life. In the end, the grandmother becomes a symbol of wisdom, faith, and moral strength. The message is clear: elders are the foundation of families, and their role in preserving values should always be respected.