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The Portrait Of A Lady

Question
CBSEENEN11009865

Talk with your family members about elderly people who you have been intimately connected with and who are not there with you now. Write a short description of someone you liked a lot.

Solution

My Grandfather

They say old is gold. So are the elderly people. They have been intimately connected with our lives. My grandfather is no more with us now. But his memories keep him alive. Actually, he had become a part of my life. My parents came to live in the city. I was brought up by my grandfather and grandmother. My grandfather looked terribly old. With his long hanging beard, he looked like a saint. He would get up early in the morning. He woke me up and got me ready for school. He accompanied me to the school. While I recited poems, my grandfather read scriptures in the temple that was attached to the school. He used to narrate me the life stories of great patriots and warriors. He was a living example of simple living and high thinking. He was a highly religious man. He prayed regularly in early morning. He was quite social and helpful. His views and suggestions were valued and respected. He left a deep impression on me. Actually, he was my role model. He is still my inspiration, guide and, of course, the grand old man of my dreams.

Some More Questions From The Portrait of A Lady Chapter

The author’s grandmother was a religious person. What are the different ways in which we come to know this?

Describe the changing relationship between the author and his grandmother. Did their feelings for each other change?

Would you agree that the author’s grandmother was a person strong in character? If yes, give instances that show this. 

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?

Which language do you think the author and his grandmother used while talking to each other?

Which language do you use to talk to elderly relatives in your family?

How would you say ‘a dilapidated drum’ in your language?

Can you think of a song or a poem in your language that talks of homecoming?

Notice the following uses of the word ‘tell’ in the text:

1.  Her fingers were busy telling the beads of her rosary.

2. I would tell her English words and little things of Western science and learning.

3. At her age one could never tell.

4. She told us that her end was near.

Given below are four different senses of the word ‘tell’. Match the meanings to the uses listed above.

1. make something known to someone in spoken or written words

2. count while reciting

3. be sure

4. give information to somebody

Notice the different senses of the word ‘take’.

to take to something: to begin to do something as a habit

to take ill : to suddenly become ill

Locate these phrases in the text and notice the way they are used.