If you are looking for the Class 11th English Chapter 1 summary, you’re in the right place. The first chapter in the Hornbill book is The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh, which beautifully portrays the author’s grandmother and their strong emotional bond.
Below, we have shared both the complete and short summary of The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh, highlighting key events, themes, and important takeaways. This will help you understand the chapter better, prepare for exams, and revise quickly without missing any important details from the original text.
The Portrait of a Lady Class 11th Summary
Here is the Class 11th English Chapter 1 Summary:
The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh is an autobiographical piece that gives readers a heartfelt description of the author’s grandmother and their relationship. The story begins with the author’s memory of his grandmother as an old, wrinkled woman. He explains that she had always seemed old to him, and it was difficult to believe that she was once young and pretty. Her face was marked with countless wrinkles, her stooped body was always draped in a white saree, and she constantly carried her rosary beads, chanting prayers under her breath.
In the early years of the author’s life, he lived in the village with his grandmother. She looked after him, woke him up, bathed him, dressed him, and walked him to the village school. While he studied alphabets and religious scriptures, she read holy books in the temple next door. Their lives revolved around each other, and their bond was close and affectionate.
Things began to change when the author’s parents settled in the city, and he and his grandmother moved there. Now he traveled to school by bus and studied subjects like English, science, and music. His grandmother could not understand these new subjects and felt excluded, especially when there was no mention of God in his lessons. Their interaction reduced, and though she silently disapproved of his new lifestyle, she never argued or interfered.
When the author went abroad for five years, she accepted it calmly, showing no outward grief. She simply prayed for his safe journey. On his return, she welcomed him with affection but soon returned to her daily routine of prayer and spinning the wheel.
In her final days, she seemed to sense her death approaching. She stopped talking to anyone, refused to waste time in idle chatter, and devoted herself completely to prayer. The next morning, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by silence. Her death was mourned not just by her family but also by thousands of sparrows that sat quietly around the house, a symbolic tribute to her pious life.
The Class 11th English chapter 1 portrays the grandmother as a symbol of simplicity, devotion, and unconditional love. It also highlights universal themes of change, the generation gap, and the inevitability of life and death, making it deeply moving and relatable for readers.
The Portrait of a Lady Class 11 Short Summary
Here is the Portrait of a Lady summary in 100 words:
The Portrait of a Lady by Khushwant Singh is a touching account of his grandmother’s life and their close bond. Described as old, wrinkled, and deeply religious, she devoted her days to prayer and caring for the author in his childhood. Their relationship changed when he moved to the city and later abroad, but her love remained constant.
In her final days, she withdrew into silence and prayer, peacefully embracing death. Even sparrows seemed to mourn her passing. The story highlights themes of love, faith, simplicity, the generation gap, and acceptance of life’s inevitable end.
Character Sketch of The Portrait of a Lady
| Aspect | Details |
| Physical Appearance | Old, wrinkled, always in a white saree, bent frame, silver hair, rosary in hand. |
| Personality | Calm, dignified, patient, highly spiritual, deeply caring, and affectionate. |
| Role in Author’s Life | Took care of him in childhood—woke him up, bathed him, fed him, and walked him to school. |
| Values & Beliefs | Strong faith in religion, prayer, and scriptures; disapproved of modern subjects like science and music. |
| Emotional Strength | Accepted separation when author went abroad; showed resilience and grace without complaints. |
| Final Days | Withdrew from worldly talk, immersed in prayer, peacefully embraced death. |
| Symbolism | Represents simplicity, spirituality, unconditional love, and acceptance of life’s changes. |
Themes in Class 11th English Chapter 1 – The Portrait of a Lady
1. Family Bonding:
The deep emotional connection between the narrator and his grandmother.
2. Simplicity of Life:
The grandmother’s humble, disciplined, and spiritual lifestyle.
3. Spirituality and Faith:
Her devotion to prayer, scriptures, and religious practices.
4. Generational Gap:
Differences in outlook between traditional beliefs and modern education.
5. Acceptance of Change:
The grandmother’s graceful adjustment to changing circumstances.
6. Love and Care:
Her selfless affection toward the author in his childhood.
7. Mortality and Death:
The peaceful acceptance of death as a natural part of life.
8. Symbolism of Purity:
Sparrows mourning her death symbolize respect for her pious life.
More Important Resources for CBSE Exam:
| CBSE Board: All details | CBSE Class 11 Commerce Subjects |
| CBSE Full Form | CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus |
| All about CBSE Class 11th | Class 11th Hornbill Syllabus |
Important Quotes from The Portrait of a Lady
- “She was an old woman. She had been old and wrinkled for the twenty years that I had known her.”
- “She used to tell the beads of her rosary all day long in a monotonous sing-song.”
- “She used to wake me up in the morning and get me ready for school.”
- “She accepted her seclusion with resignation.”
- “She lay peacefully in bed, praying and telling her beads till the very end.”
Learnings from Class 11th English Chapter 1st Summary
1. Respect for Elders:
Grandparents play a vital role in shaping childhood and must be valued.
2. Simplicity is Strength:
A simple, disciplined life leads to peace and contentment.
3. Faith and Spirituality:
Devotion and prayer give inner strength during life’s challenges.
4. Acceptance of Change:
Adjusting gracefully to changing times prevents conflict and bitterness.
5. Peaceful Acceptance of Death:
Embracing mortality with dignity reflects wisdom and courage.
About the Author Khushwant Singh
Khushwant Singh (1915–2014) was one of India’s most renowned writers, journalists, and historians. Known for his sharp wit and simple narrative style, he wrote extensively on Indian society, politics, and culture. His works combined humor with deep insights into human relationships and traditions.
Singh served as the editor of leading publications like The Illustrated Weekly of India and The Hindustan Times, shaping Indian journalism for decades. As an author, his famous works include Train to Pakistan and History of Sikhs.
In The Portrait of a Lady, Khushwant Singh brings a personal touch, narrating his childhood experiences and his grandmother’s quiet strength, simplicity, and spirituality.
Read the chapter-wise summaries of Class 11 English here:
- Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues
- We’re Not Afraid to Die
- The Landscape of The Soul
- The Ailing Planet
- The Browning Version
- The Adventure
FAQs About The Portrait of a Lady Summary
The story is written by Khushwant Singh, a famous Indian writer and journalist.
It is about the author’s grandmother, her simple and spiritual life, and their close relationship.
She is portrayed as old, wrinkled, bent, always in a white saree, with silver hair and rosary beads in her hands.
She prayed, told beads of her rosary, accompanied him to school, and read scriptures in the temple.
In the city, the author studied English, science, and music, which she could not relate to, so she felt left out.
She did not show grief but quietly prayed for his well-being, showing her inner strength.
She stopped speaking to anyone and devoted herself entirely to prayer, sensing her end was near.
Thousands of sparrows sat quietly in and around the house, mourning silently without chirping, symbolizing respect for her pious life.
It provides lessons on love, respect, and values while also being a key chapter in the Hornbill syllabus for exams.