CBSE Class 11 English Chapter 2: The Portrait of a Lady NCERT Solutions

Solution: The author's relationship with his grandmother can be divided into three distinct phases before he left for his studies abroad:

1. Childhood: During this phase, the author was very young and lived with his grandmother in the village. She was actively involved in his daily life, accompanying him to the village school and helping him prepare for it. Their bond was one of close companionship and mutual dependence.
2. Boyhood: When the author moved to the city to attend a city school, their relationship began to change. Although they shared a room, the grandmother could no longer assist him with his studies as the curriculum was different and focused on Western science. She felt a disconnect as she couldn't understand or participate in his academic life.
3. Early Youth: This phase marked a further distancing in their relationship. When the author went to the university and was given his own room, the common link of friendship was significantly weakened. While they still cared for each other, their daily interactions and shared activities diminished considerably.

Solution: The author's grandmother was disturbed when he began attending the city school for three primary reasons:

1. Dislike for Western Education: She disliked Western science and learning, viewing it as a departure from traditional values.
2. Absence of Religious Instruction: She was pained to discover that the school curriculum did not include any teaching about God or scriptures, which were central to her spiritual life.
3. Aversion to Music: She considered music to be associated with immoral activities and not meant for 'decent people'. She believed it was the 'monopoly' of prostitutes and beggars, and was therefore disturbed that it was part of the school's activities.

Solution: After the author grew up and their close bond weakened, the grandmother spent her days in a quiet, routine manner, largely centered around her spiritual practices and simple activities:

1. Spinning Wheel and Prayers: She would spend a significant part of her day sitting at her spinning wheel, reciting prayers in a low, monotonous tone. This activity was a constant in her life, reflecting her deep devotion.
2. Feeding Sparrows: For about half an hour every afternoon, she would sit in the verandah and feed a flock of sparrows. This was a cherished ritual where she found companionship and expressed her affection towards the birds.
3. Acceptance of Loneliness: She accepted her loneliness quietly, without much outward complaint. Her days were marked by a serene acceptance of her solitary existence, finding solace in her prayers and the company of the sparrows.

Solution: In the hours leading up to her death, the author's grandmother exhibited behaviour that was notably different from her usual routine, signaling her acceptance of the end:

She refused to talk to anyone in the family. She explained that she had omitted her prayers the previous evening because she was overly excited celebrating the author's return. She felt she didn't have much time left and couldn't afford to waste any more. Despite the family's protests, she lay peacefully in her bed, continuously praying and telling the beads of her rosary, until her life peacefully ebbed away.

Solution: The sparrows, who were a constant presence and source of comfort for the grandmother, expressed their grief in a poignant and unusual manner upon her death:

Thousands of sparrows gathered silently around the grandmother's body, which was laid out in the verandah. They sat in a solemn assembly, and there was a complete absence of their usual chirping. When the author's mother offered them crumbs of bread, they took no notice of the food, indicating their deep sorrow and respect for the departed soul. As soon as the grandmother's corpse was carried away for cremation, the sparrows flew away quietly, leaving the place empty.

Solution: The author's grandmother's profound religious nature is evident through several consistent actions and beliefs throughout her life:

• Daily Prayers and Scripture Reading: She began her day early with a visit to the temple, where she would read the scriptures. Even at home, she would constantly mumble an inaudible prayer while performing her daily chores.
• Recitation of Prayers: While getting the author ready for school, she would recite prayers in a sing-song manner, hoping he would learn them. This habit continued even when she sat at her spinning wheel, where she would continuously recite prayers.
• Focus on Spiritual Values: She disapproved of the English school because it did not teach about God and scriptures, highlighting her belief in the primacy of spiritual education.
• Use of Rosary: She always kept her hand on her rosary beads, telling them throughout the day, which served as a constant reminder of her devotion.
• Acceptance of Death: In her final moments, she peacefully accepted death, continuing her prayers and telling her beads until her last breath, demonstrating her unwavering faith.

Solution: The relationship between the author and his grandmother underwent significant changes as he grew older and his life circumstances evolved, yet their underlying feelings remained constant:

Early Years: In the author's childhood, their relationship was characterized by deep intimacy and dependence. The grandmother was his constant companion, involved in all aspects of his life, including his education. They shared a strong bond built on care and affection.

Transition to City Life: When they moved to the city, the nature of their relationship began to shift. The author started attending a city school, traveling by bus, which meant the grandmother could no longer accompany him. Although they shared a room, she could not help him with his studies, leading to a gradual emotional and intellectual distance. She expressed her disapproval of the modern education system, which further created a gap.

University and Abroad: The separation became more pronounced when the author went to university and had his own room. The common link that had once bound them was significantly weakened. However, despite this physical and intellectual distance, their feelings of love and care for each other never changed. This is evident when she came to see him off at the railway station when he was going abroad, showing her silent affection, and later, her joyous reception upon his return, celebrating his homecoming with songs and an old drum.

Solution: Yes, I strongly agree that the author's grandmother was a person of strong character. Her strength was evident in her unwavering beliefs, her quiet dignity, and her acceptance of life's circumstances:

• Strong Convictions: She held firm beliefs about spirituality, education, and morality. Her disapproval of Western science and music stemmed from these deeply ingrained convictions, and she did not waver from them.
• Quiet Dignity: Despite the changes in her life and the author's growing independence, she maintained a quiet dignity. She accepted her loneliness without complaint and found solace in her routines and prayers.
• Acceptance of Loneliness: When the author grew up and their shared life diminished, she didn't become bitter or demanding. Instead, she accepted her solitude gracefully, finding contentment in her spinning wheel and feeding the sparrows.
• Unwavering Faith: Her religious faith was a cornerstone of her character. Even in her final moments, she remained steadfast in her prayers, demonstrating immense inner peace and strength.
• Expressing Affection Subtly: While she may not have been overtly expressive, her love for the author was deep. Her silent kiss on his forehead before he left for abroad was a profound gesture of affection, showing her strength in controlling her emotions while conveying her love.