Notes on Henry James' Portrait of a Lady

What enduring image of the grandmother …………?
In the short story The Portrait of a Lady, the author KS describes a special bond between himself and his grandmother. He narrates how the relationship develops over the years and changes as the grandson grows up and the grandmother grows older. The story also offers an image of the old lady in a poignant manner.
The author was left in the care of his grandmother in the village while his parents were settling down in the city. The old lady was both a friend and a surrogate mother for the little lad and ensured his proper upbringing. She would accompany him to school every morning and was vigilant about his moral and religious training. (Explain how….with quotes). Though a little child, the author appreciated and admired his grandmother for her piety and generosity that was evident….. (explain ….temple…scriptures…dogs…).
When they moved to the city, she continued to share his room and take interest in his studies. However, it was “a turning point “ in their friendship as she no longer accompanied him to school. Moreover she neither understood nor approved of his education in the city school that included “English words and little things of western science and learning”. She further distanced herself from him on learning that he was being given music lessons, which she considered to be amoral, at school. However, she accepted the situation stoically and “accepted her seclusion with resignation” when the author was given a room of his own. Her deep religious fervour continued as “she sat by her wheel spinning and reciting prayers”. Feeding the sparrows in the verandah became another significant pursuit in her life. (Explain why?).
The author was certain that his grandmother would be upset on hearing about his plans to go abroad for further studies. But she remained resilient yet passive as she went to see him off at the railway station. Her dignity and reserved self intrigued the author as she neither talked nor showed any emotion. She planted a kiss on his forehead while she continued to sway her prayers.
On returning after five years, the author was taken aback to see the old lady at the station to welcome him home. He was impressed to see the she looked ageless while she closed him in her arms She remained her usual calm and serene self while she fed her sparrows. Though the author’s grandmother was not exuberantly vocal about her happiness at his return, she gathered the women of the neighbourhood and started to sing about…….did not say her prayers….
The next morning she fell ill with a mild fever and refused to be treated by a doctor. She had a strange foreboding that her end was near and decided not to wate any more time talking. She died peacefully while saying her prayers and telling her beads. It is interesting to note that the sparrows took no notice of the breadcrumbs thrown to them by the author’s mother. May be they too acknowledged and mourned the passing away of a lady of fine qualities.
Se this as a skeleton and elaborate on her traits that are evident from these……