Summary of The Portrait of a Lady

The Portrait of a Lady summary is a real story of the writer’s grandmother. The name of
the writer is Kushwant Singh. His grandmother was an old lady. The writer tells us the
story of the childhood that he had spent with his grandmother. The writer has explained
his relationship with his grandmother over the years. He thinks about her daily activities
and how she grew as a character over time. He mentions her appearance, which assists in
creating a mental impression of her in the reader’s mind.
The summary of this poem will brief you about the life of the writer with his
grandmother. All the beautiful and emotional moments are present in this summary. The
summary will tell you about the beautiful relationship that the writer had with his
grandmother.

The Theme of the Poem

The themes can be interpreted as spanning many stages of the author’s life. During
childhood, the key themes were seen to be innocence, admiration, and love between
a grandmother and her grandson. During the author’s stay in the city, however, the two
were linked by themes of separation and unfamiliarity. Finally, following his return from
abroad, the dominant subject appears to be a sense of reunion as well as a bittersweet
ending.
The Portrait of a Lady Summary in English

The writer recalls his Grandmother as short, healthy and slightly bent. Her hairs were
silver in colour and were scattered messily on her wrinkled face. She used to walk
around the whole house in white clothes. She kept her one hand resting on her waist and
the other hand was telling the beads of her rosary.
The writer thinks of her as not very pretty but constantly beautiful all the time. He
compares her calm face with the winter landscape. During their lengthy stay in the
village, Grandmother woke him up from the bed in the early morning, plastered his
wooden slate, organized his breakfast, and sent him to the school. The temple was
connected to the school. She sat inside and studied the sacred texts while the children
learned the alphabet.
On their way back to the home she used to give the stale chapattis to the street dogs. A
turning point in their beautiful relationship arrived when they went to live in a city.
Despite the fact that they shared a room, their relationship started to grow apart. Now,
the writer used to go to the city school on a school bus and studied subjects like English,
Physics, mathematics and many more subjects that his grandmother could not
understand at all.
His grandmother could no longer go to school with him to send him. She felt upset that
there was no teaching about God and scriptures at the city school. Instead, he was given
music lessons, but she said nothing. She thought music was dreadful. It was just good for
prostitutes and beggars, according to her. It was not intended for gentlemen.
When the writer went to a university, he got a separate room in his house. The common
link of the relationship between the grandson and the grandmother was broken now.
Grandmother rarely talked to anyone in the house now. The writer’s grandmother quietly
accepted her loneliness. She was constantly occupied with her spinning wheel and

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reciting prayers and she hardly ever spoke to anyone. She took a break in the afternoon.
Her daily routine consisted of breaking bread into pieces and giving it to the birds. The
birds would perch on her legs, head, and even her shoulders.
When the writer was leaving on a trip abroad for his further studies, his grandmother did
not get disturbed at all. Rather she went to the train station to say goodbye, but she didn’t
say anything and merely kissed his forehead. Her lips were moving in prayer, her
thoughts were consumed by prayer and her fingers were busy reciting the storey of the
beads on her rosary. Seeing her grandmother at this old age, the writer was thinking that
it might be his last meeting with his grandmother. But when he came back home after a
duration of 5 years, his grandmother was there to welcome him back and he saw her
celebrate his return.
The next morning after the return of his grandson she got ill. Although the doctor told
them that it was a slight fever and would go away very soon, still she could foresee that
her time to leave this world was near. She did not want to waste her time talking to
someone. Her fingers were busy reciting the storey of the beads on her rosary.
She went to her bed praying and telling the beads till her lips stopped moving and the
rosary fell down from her lifeless hand. Her body was discovered on the floor, wrapped
in a red shawl after she died. To grieve her death, thousands of sparrows flew in and sat
dispersed around her body. All the sparrows flew away without making any noise when
the dead body of the old lady was carried away for the last rites.
Conclusion of The Portrait of a Lady

To sum up, in the portrait of a lady summary, the writer and his grandmother had a
beautiful bond between them and loved each other a lot. The story tells us how beautiful
a relationship can become between a grandson and his grandmother.
The Portrait of a Lady Questions and Answers

Question 1: Mention three reasons why the author’s grandma was upset when he began
attending a city school.
Answer 1: The grandmother was bothered by the following:
1. She was no longer able to assist him in his studies. He began attending an English
medium school, where he was taught topics such as English, Physics, and Maths.
This became a stumbling block for her.
2. There were no lessons on God or the Bible.
3. She didn’t like the fact that he was taking music lessons. Music, she said, was just
for beggars and harlots.
Question 2: What would the author’s grandmother do after he grew up and started
studying at the university?
Answer 2: His grandmother has changed dramatically since he was a child. She grew
increasingly private. She’d spend her days at the spinning wheel, praying and feeding
sparrows.
Question 3: The grandmother has been portrayed as a religious Christian. What
elements of the story contribute to this impression?
Answer 3: The author remembers his grandma as a religious Catholic. He recalls her
hobbling around the home, telling him about her rosary beads. He remembers her
morning prayers and scripture reading within the temple. When the author was in high

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school, he was not taught about God or the Bible, which bothered his grandmother. The
author describes how she spent all of her time praying during the last few days.

Summary of The Adventure

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The Adventure summary simplifies the chapter and makes the students understand it in
an easy manner. The story centres on a certain historical event with the Historian,
Gangadharpant, being the protagonist. This story is written by Jayant Narlikar and shows
us how Gangadharpant aka Professor Gaitonde, time travels. It begins with the professor
wondering about the fate of India if the Marathas had not allowed a concession to the
East India Company to stay in Mumbai. He believes this step and the error of Maratha
soldiers during the battle of Panipat cost a great deal. As he is reading from the Bakhar
about Vishwa’s narrow escape in the battle against Abdali, he meets with an accident.
Thus, the transitions from one world to another and through this story we learn about his
new world he transitions into. It is a great lesson with the perfect blend of history and
science.

The Adventure Summary in English

Jayant Narlikar wrote The Adventure in a very informative and interesting form. He has
given the student the perfect combination of history and science. We see that a historian,
Professor Gaitonde somehow time-travels into the past. Upon going in the past, he
experiences something which was never there before. He finds himself in the city of
Mumbai that he has never witnessed.
The Mumbai he is presently in is very different from it actually is. He gets down at the
Victoria Terminus Station where he finds it to be very clean, surprisingly. The coaches
of the train read out ‘Greater Bombay Metropolitan Railway’. Moreover, the staffs were
of Anglo-Indians and a few British officers.
Upon getting off the station, Gaitonde saw the East India Company Headquarters.
Similarly, there were buildings of mainly British brands and British banks. In fact, his
son’s workplace of Forbes was not even there. Thus, in order to solve the riddle, he went
to the Library and read about the battle of Panipat. Upon reading, he finds out the details
to be different from actually happened. In fact, he also reads that the British rule never
made it to India which surprised him.
After the visit to the library, he visited the Azad Maidan and got into a fight over there
with the audience. After being thrown off stage, Gaitonde came out of his time-travel
experience and was lying unconscious in Azad Maidan. Thus, he visits Professor
Deshpande to get an explanation. Upon his visit, he learns about reality being different
from through our senses. Thus, the reality we live in can have many manifestations or
dimensions.
So, physicists believe that there are many worlds existing other than the ones we see
through our senses. Moreover, he explains that Gaitonde transitioned into another world
as he was presently in a coma due to an accident. Similarly, as the last thing he was
thinking about was the battle of Panipat, he went to that era only and what he saw was
all in his mind.
Conclusion of The Adventure

To sum up, The Adventure summary, we learn that there are other realities too apart
from the ones we sense and they may seem real but are all in the head only.

Summary of Silk Road

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Silk Road summary is about the author’s journey which starts from slopes of Ravu to Mt.
Kailash. This was to complete the kora. Thus, it gives us an account of the journey they
experience. Moreover, the main aim of the journey was religious mostly. We see that the author
wishes to complete the journey to Mt. Kailash. Thus, in order to embark on this pilgrimage
journey, he chooses a tough one. Further, the author hires Tsetan and takes along Daniel as an
acquaintance to chaperon him to Darchen. Consequently, we learn about his journey and his
experience through the Silk Road. He mentions how the people in hilly areas are rather sensitive.
The author goes on to witness the beauty of Lake Mansarovar and Darchen. Moreover, he faces a
lot of difficulties but is able to complete his pilgrimage due to his undeterred faith.
Silk Road Summary in English

The author of the story, Nick Middleton, describes his journey to Mount Kailash in Silk Road. In
order to complete his Kora, the author wishes to visit Mt. Kailash. Thus, he hires Tsetan so that
he gets someone for driving him up to the mountain. While he was parting with Lhamo, he
receives a long-sleeved sheepskin coat. In order to get companionship, the author takes Daniel
with him till Darchen.

Upon starting their journey, Tsetan takes a short-cut to the south-west. He says it is a direct route
to Mt. Kailash. In order to reach their destination, they would have to cross the high mountain
passes. However, Tsetan assures them that due to lack of snow, it would be easy to do so. On
their way, they cross through a small number of gazelles, a herd of wild asses and shepherds that
were tending the flocks.
Upon reaching the hill, they notice dark tents. They learn they were nomad’s homes and see a
Tibetan mastiff guarding the tents. When they reach near the tents, the dogs with large jaws ran
after their car. Upon entering the valley, they witness mountains and rivers covered in snow and
ice.
The ride on the hill starts turning sharper and bumpier. As they reached higher, the author could
feel the pressure and noticed they were at 5210 meters above sea level. After clearing the first
hurdle of snow-filled roads, they were on and about. The author starts feeling uneasy due to
height and pressure. At around 2 o’clock in the afternoon, they stop for lunch.
Finally, they reach a small town ‘Hor’ in late afternoon. The author took a break in Hor and sat at
the local café sipping on tea. During this time, Tsetan got the car fixed and Daniel left for Lhasa.
The author did not like Hor too much. Upon resuming the journey, they stay the night at a guest
house in Darchen. We see how he suffers from nose-congestion due to the altitude change and
chilly weather. He goes to see a Tibetan doctor and receives a five-day course medication.
After that, he feels better and enjoys his stay at Darchen where he meets another pilgrim, Norbu.
As Darchen had no pilgrims, the author finds relief and decides to complete his pilgrimage with
him. Finally, they hire yaks for their luggage and Norbu gives up while collapsing across the
table and laughing. Norbu’s says it would not be possible for him and he also had a big tummy.
Conclusion of Silk Road

To sum up the Silk Road summary, we learn about the author’s journey through the silk road and
the determination of pilgrims and the hardships they face.

Summary of Father to Son

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The poem ‘Father to Son’ is by the author Elizabeth Jennings. The Father to Son
summary deals with the anguish of a father who lacks a good relationship with his son.
Furthermore, his son is now an adult. Moreover, his son is now busy in life. Also, the
father is bitter regarding the generation gap between him and his son. He is troubled by a
feeling of separation with his son. The father expresses his feeling by saying that he does
not know much about his son. There also is no sign of understanding. The father has a
desire that he wants his relationship with his son to be just like when his son was a child.
He tries to mend the relationship but the efforts are in vain. He tries his best to resolve
this issue with his son but with no success. So, they are drifting apart.

Father to Son Summary in English

The poet shares his feelings regarding the relationship with his son. The poet explains
they he and his son have spent many years in the same house. However, in spite of
spending so many years together, the father still doesn’t understand his son.
Furthermore, the father doesn’t know anything about his son. He doesn’t know what his
son likes or what he dislikes. The father made an effort to build up a relationship with his
son since he was small. However, over the years, change has come in his son. As a
grown-up man, his son certainly has changed.
The father acknowledges his role in the communication gap between him and his son.
He explains that despite his efforts, things are not turning to his side. He says that his
son was in a place that he could not access. Furthermore, the father tells us that their
communication is like the communication of strangers. It seems there is not much
attachment between the two. Moreover, there has been no signs of understanding
between the father and son. His child had a resemblance in appearance with his father.
However, in spite of this resemblance in appearance, the father didn’t know what his son
loved.
There is a silence between the father and the son. As a child, his son was of a prodigal
nature. His father had a desire for his son to return home, the one he knew. The father
does not want his son to move around in the world and make his own world. The father
was willing to express his forgiveness to his son. Furthermore, the father was willing to
let go of the sorrows that he had inside of him due to the existing distance between them.
The father certainly had a desire to love him again.
Now, the son speaks for the first time and expresses his feelings. Furthermore, the son
has a feeling of sadness about the distance between them. Furthermore, the son tells that
he is at a point in his life where he does not understand himself. Moreover, the son
explains that his anger is due to sadness. Hence, it becomes pretty clear that both the
father and son feel the same frustration due to this gap in the relationship. Also, both the
father and son are willing to forgive each other. However, they are failing to find a
solution to their problem. Both of them put out an empty hand for each other but in
futility.
Conclusion of Father to Son

The Father to Son summary throws light on a damaged relationship between a father and
son.

Summary of Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues

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A.R. Williams is the writer of this chapter. Moreover, this chapter is regarding the last heir of the
great Pharaoh Dynasty, Tutankhamun. He died in his teenage after ruling for 9 years. His death
gave birth to a mystery. This chapter talks about all the possible mysteries: the curse, where his
tomb is lying, his whole life and finally his death. Discovering tut: the saga continues summary
will give you all the facts and information about the death of Tut.
Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues Summary in English

Tutankhamun was the last leader of the great Pharaoh Dynasty. He was young when he died.
According to some people, his death was a murder. In the year 1922, his tomb was exposed by
Howard Carter, an Archaeologist. After 80 years, he was taken for the CT scan to solve the
mystery of his life and death through a forensic reconstruction.
His father or grandfather, Amenhotep III, was a very powerful Pharaoh ruler over a period of 40
years. Moreover, his son, Amenhotep IV, succeeded him and initiated the strangest period in the
history of Egypt. His name changed to Akhenaten which means servant of Athens. He changed
the religious capital from Thebes to Amarna. Later he attacked Amun, a god, ruined his images
and shut his temples. Another mysterious ruler thrived him who died very soon. Tutankhamun
sat on the power and ruled for 9 years.
When Tut’s mummified body was found, he had lots of gold and wealth. Carter got him after so
many years. After conducting the research on the treasures, he planned to examine his 3 nested
boxes. Many parts of the treasure in the tomb were already misplaced.
His tomb was found rock-cut, 26 feet under the ground, which also had some wall paintings. It
reveals that he was suppressed in the months of March or April. One of the coffin put Carter into
trouble. The gums used to paste Tut to the lowest of the solid gold. Coffin was toughening
enough that made it impossible to displace. He put the box in the sun for numerous hours so that
the resins lose up but that didn’t work.
At last, he removed the adhesive with the chisel and hammer. Carter sensed he didn’t have any
other choice than cutting the mummy from limb to limb, thieves would have robbed the gold and
the treasures. His men first removed the head of the mummy, then they cut off each and every
joint. After the process of removing all the body parts, they placed it on the layer of sand. They
kept the parts in a wooden box and placed it at the original place.
Later, in January 2009, the body was taken for a CT scan which takes hundreds of X-Rays and
generates a 3D image. That night after the scan, the workmen passed his body from the tomb into
a box. They went through the ramp and stairs and lifted the body on a hydraulic trailer that was
holding the scanner. The scanner suddenly stopped working and the process of the CT scan
stopped. After the use of a pair of spare fans, the scan was finally completed. After 3 hours, they
transferred his body back to his tomb where his body is now resting in peace.
Conclusion of Discovering Tut: the Saga Continues

To conclude, Discovering tut: the saga continues summary tells you that Tutankhamun, also
known as tut was a brave ruler who of the great Pharaoh Dynasty. He died a mysterious death
and is resting in peace in his tomb now.