Khushwant Singh, an Indian author, and journalist wrote a novel called “The Portrait of a Lady” which is based on the life of his grandmother. The novel is a fictionalized biography of his grandmother’s life and struggles in a traditional and patriarchal society.
According to Khushwant Singh, his grandmother was a strong-willed woman who refused to be controlled by the men in her life and the expectations of society. She was born into a wealthy and influential family in India in the early 20th century. Despite her privileged background, she struggled to find her place in society, facing discrimination and prejudice from both men and women.
As a young girl, Khushwant Singh’s grandmother was forced to conform to strict societal norms and customs. She was expected to marry someone chosen by her family, but she did not love him. She was also expected to be a submissive wife, but she refused to be controlled by her husband and the men in her life.
Through the novel, Khushwant Singh portrays the story of his grandmother’s search for self-identity. She desired to live her life on her own terms and make her own choices, despite the consequences. This struggle for self-identity is portrayed through her determination and refusal to be controlled by the men in her life.
Khushwant Singh’s grandmother also faced several other struggles in her life, including infidelity, the impact it has on relationships, and the societal norms and expectations of women. Despite the challenges she faced, she remained a strong and determined woman who lived her life on her own terms.
In summary, Khushwant Singh’s grandmother was a strong-willed woman who refused to be controlled by the men in her life and the expectations of society. She was determined to live her life on her own terms and make her own choices, despite the consequences. Her story was fictionalized by Khushwant Singh in his novel “The Portrait of a Lady” which is based on the life of his grandmother.
What were the problems faced by Khushwant Singh’s grandmother in the book “A portrait of a lady”?
Societal expectations and norms: As a woman living in a traditional and patriarchal society, Sardarji’s wife is expected to conform to strict societal norms and customs. She is expected to marry someone chosen by her family, but she does not love him. She is also expected to be a submissive wife, but she refuses to be controlled by her husband and the men in her life.
Discrimination and prejudice: Despite her privileged background, Sardarji’s wife struggles to find her place in society, facing discrimination and prejudice from both men and women.
Arranged Marriage: Sardarji’s wife is married off to a man she does not love, and the novel delves into the complexities of arranged marriages and the difficulties of loving someone who does not love you in return.
Infidelity: The novel also covers the theme of infidelity and the impact it has on relationships. Sardarji’s wife is betrayed by her husband and this causes emotional turmoil in her life.
Societal norms and expectations of women: The novel is also seen as a commentary on the societal norms and expectations of women in India, and how they can be oppressive and limiting. Sardarji’s wife’s life is controlled by the men around her and she must constantly fight to assert her own independence and individuality.
Lack of autonomy and agency: As a woman in traditional societies, Sardarji’s wife is denied autonomy and agency over her own life. She is not allowed to make her own choices and has to live according to the expectations of the society and the men in her life.
These are some of the problems faced by Khushwant Singh’s grandmother in the novel “A Portrait of a Lady.” The novel portrays a powerful and thought-provoking story that explores the struggles of a woman in a traditional and patriarchal society.
