Understanding Key Themes in Classic Literature
4
The Portrait of a Lady
Long Answer – The Character of the Grandmother / Relationship / Theme of Changes
Khushwant Singh’s “The Portrait of a Lady” presents a touching and realistic portrait of the narrator’s grandmother, who is shown as a deeply religious, kind-hearted, and disciplined woman. She is described as an old, short, slightly bent lady whose face is marked with countless wrinkles, making the narrator feel that she had always been the same age. Her white clothes, rosary, and constant prayers give her a spiritual aura.
In the village, she played an active role in the narrator’s upbringing. She woke him up, bathed him, got him ready for school, and even accompanied him every day. While he learned the alphabet in school, she read scriptures in the temple. Her life was simple and filled with devotion. She also showed compassion by feeding stray dogs every day.
However, when they shifted to the city, their relationship changed. The narrator now went to an English school, and the grandmother could no longer help him with his studies. She disapproved of subjects like science and music because they had no spiritual or moral teaching. Slowly, she became more silent and spent most of her time praying and spinning the wheel.
When the narrator went to the university and got a separate room, their bond weakened even more, though the emotional connection remained. Her last moments were also filled with prayer, and she passed away peacefully. Her death was mourned not only by the narrator but even by the sparrows she used to feed.
Overall, the grandmother is portrayed as a symbol of purity, tradition, and unconditional love. Her life shows how relationships evolve with time, but true affection never fades.
We Are Not Afraid to Die
“We Are Not Afraid to Die… If We Can All Be Together” is the real story of a family’s courage while sailing the world in their boat, Wavewalker, a strong 23-metre, 30-ton wooden sailboat specially built for long sea voyages. The narrator had tested it for months to ensure it could survive storms.
During their journey in the southern Indian Ocean, they were hit by extremely rough weather. On January 2, a gigantic wave struck Wavewalker with great force, breaking the deck, damaging the masts, and flooding the boat. Even after severe damage, Wavewalker stayed afloat because of repeated repairs done by the narrator and his wife, Mary, who pumped out water and controlled the wheel for hours.
The children, Jonathan and Suzanne, showed remarkable courage. Jonathan’s words, “We aren’t afraid of dying if we can all be together,” gave the narrator strength to continue fighting. Despite injuries, everyone worked as a team, and their unity kept them alive. After days of struggle, they finally reached land and were rescued.
The chapter highlights courage, determination, teamwork, and the power of family love. Wavewalker becomes a symbol of their resilience and refusal to give up.
Discovering Tut
“Discovering Tut: The Saga Continues” describes the modern scientific investigation into the life and mysterious death of the Egyptian boy-king Tutankhamun, popularly called King Tut. After his tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922, the world became fascinated with the treasures found inside and the unanswered questions about his early death.
The modern study of Tut’s mummy began in 2005, when a CT scan team re-examined the body using advanced technology. The scanners created thousands of X-ray images, allowing scientists to see Tut’s bones, skull, ribs, and injuries in great detail. This new scan was important because Carter’s team had damaged the mummy earlier while removing gold ornaments stuck to the body.
The CT scan helped reconstruct Tut’s face digitally and provided clearer information about his health and physical condition. It suggested that Tut suffered from several medical problems, including a possible infection or genetic disorder. Although the exact cause of his death is still uncertain, the new findings proved how science can uncover facts hidden for thousands of years.
Overall, the chapter shows how technology and archaeology together revive history, and how the world’s curiosity about Tut continues even after more than 3,300 years.
The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse is a story about two Armenian boys, Aram and Mourad, who belong to the Garoghlanian tribe, known for honesty and strong moral values. One early morning, nine-year-old Aram is shocked to see his cousin Mourad sitting on a beautiful white horse. Since the boys were too poor to buy a horse, Aram wonders how Mourad got it. But Mourad, who is crazy about horses, insists that they have only “borrowed” it, not stolen it.
The boys enjoy riding the horse for many days, but they keep it hidden because they know stealing goes against their family’s reputation. Soon they learn that the horse belongs to John Byro, a farmer whose horse had been missing. When John Byro meets the boys, he recognizes the horse but refuses to believe they stole it because he trusts their family’s honesty. His faith makes the boys feel guilty.
Realizing the importance of truth and their tribe’s honor, the boys quietly return the horse to Byro’s barn. Byro later finds the horse “stronger and better-behaved,” understanding indirectly what happened.
The story highlights honesty, conscience, childhood innocence, and moral values. It shows that even when tempted, true character means doing the right thing. Mourad and Aram ultimately uphold their family tradition, proving that values are more important than personal desires.
The Address is a touching story about a young girl who visits a woman named Mrs. Dorling to retrieve her mother’s belongings after the war. Before the war, Mrs. Dorling had taken away many household items from the narrator’s mother, promising to keep them safe. After the war ends, when the narrator visits her house at “Number 46, Marconi Street,” Mrs. Dorling behaves coldly and does not allow her inside. The narrator feels unwelcome and returns disappointed.
Later, she visits again when Mrs. Dorling is not home. Mrs. Dorling’s daughter lets her in, and the narrator sees her own mother’s precious things—furniture, tablecloths, cutlery, and teacups—being used carelessly in a strange environment. Instead of feeling happy, she feels hurt. The objects remind her of her mother, their old life, and the painful memories of the war. She realizes that these belongings have lost their warmth, meaning, and connection.
Finally, the narrator decides not to take anything back, because the past cannot be rebuilt and holding onto old objects will only reopen her wounds. She walks away, leaving behind the address and the memories forever.
The story highlights themes of loss, identity, war trauma, and emotional detachment. It shows that sometimes, to heal, we must let go of the past rather than try to reclaim it.
Mother’s Day is a humorous one-act play that highlights how mothers are often overworked, unappreciated, and taken for granted. The story revolves around Mrs. Annie Pearson, a loving housewife whose family treats her more like a servant than a human being. Her husband George, son Cyril, and daughter Doris expect her to do all the housework, cook meals, iron clothes, and serve them constantly, without ever thanking her or respecting her feelings.
Seeing her suffering, Mrs. Fitzgerald, a bold and strong neighbor, decides to help her. Using a magical personality exchange, she takes Mrs. Pearson’s place and begins teaching the family a lesson. She speaks to them firmly, refuses unreasonable demands, and shows them how rude and selfish they have been. The family is shocked by the sudden change but slowly realizes how unfairly they have treated their mother.
By the end, George, Cyril, and Doris admit their mistakes and promise to help with the housework and give Mrs. Pearson the respect she deserves. The personalities are switched back, and the real Mrs. Pearson finally finds the courage to stand up for herself.
The play gives an important message: mothers are not servants, and they deserve love, respect, appreciation, and support. Priestley uses humor, role reversal, and drama to show that families function better when responsibilities are shared and mothers are treated with dignity.