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Chapter 1 Summary: The Portrait of a Lady - Class 11 English Hornbill

In Chapter 1 of 'The Portrait of a Lady' from Class 11 English Hornbill, we delve into the intriguing world of Khushwant Singh's storytelling. This chapter revolves around the lives of Mr. and Mrs. Wang, a middle-aged couple residing in a small Chinese village. The narrative explores the profound theme of appearances versus reality as it follows Mrs. Wang's deep-seated superstitions and her belief in the protective power of a portrait. However, as the story unfolds, we witness how the portrait, initially seen as a symbol of safeguarding, transforms into an unsettling presence in their lives. Join us as we dissect this tale of contrasting beliefs and human intricacies." This introductory paragraph provides a brief overview of the chapter and sets the stage for the summary to follow.

Chapter 1 : The Portrait of a Lady - Class 11 English Hornbill Summary

 

In this story, the narrator is telling us about their grandma. When they were a little kid, they saw their grandma as a very old lady with lots of wrinkles on her face. It was hard to believe that she was once young and pretty, as people said. She was a bit on the heavier side and walked with a bent back.

When the storyteller was a child, they lived with their grandma because their parents moved to the city. They thought their grandma wasn't just pretty but incredibly beautiful because of her graceful ways. They compared her beauty to a serene winter scene in the mountains. The storyteller and their grandma were very close. She used to walk them to school and spend time studying sculptures at nearby temples while they were in school.

Later, when the storyteller's parents were settled in the city, they called the child and their grandma to live with them. They all shared the same home now, but the grandma couldn't take the child to school anymore. She was worried because the child was learning modern science and English instead of traditional things like spirituality. She didn't like the idea of the child having music lessons either.

When the child went to the university after school, they got their own room for studying. The grandma felt a bit lonely without them but got used to it. She spent her time feeding small birds on the porch, and it became her favorite part of the day. The child eventually went abroad for further studies, and the grandma was sad but didn't show it. She went to see them off at the train station. The child wasn't sure if they'd see her again after five years because she was getting older.

But when the child returned after five years, their grandma was there to welcome them at the station. One evening, she gathered some women from the neighborhood, and instead of praying, they sang songs together while playing an old drum. It was a joyful time. One day, the grandma fell ill and knew her end was near. She passed away peacefully. They held a funeral for her, and even the little sparrows she used to feed seemed to miss her.