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Revision Notes

The Portrait of a Lady & A Photograph

Odisha Board · Class 11 · English

Quick revision notes for The Portrait of a Lady & A Photograph — Odisha Board Class 11 English. Key concepts, formulas, and definitions for last-minute revision.

78 questions20 flashcards5 concepts

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Key Topics to Revise

1

The Portrait of a Lady - Character Analysis

  • The grandmother is portrayed as an eternal figure - 'old, so terribly old that she could not have grown older'
  • Physical description emphasizes her dignity: 'spotless white', 'silver locks', 'telling beads of rosary'
  • She represents traditional Indian values and religious devotion
2

Three Phases of Relationship

  • Phase 1 (Village): Close companionship - grandmother accompanies narrator to school daily, they share meals and activities
  • Phase 2 (City): Growing distance - narrator attends English school, grandmother feeds sparrows instead of accompanying him
  • Phase 3 (University): Complete separation - narrator gets separate room, grandmother accepts seclusion and focuses on spinning and prayer
3

Grandmother's Disapproval of Modern Education

  • Reason 1: No religious instruction - English school taught secular subjects without mention of God or scriptures
  • Reason 2: Western science contradicted her traditional beliefs - concepts like gravity, round earth seemed alien
  • Reason 3: Music lessons were particularly disturbing - she associated music with 'harlots and beggars', not suitable for respectable people
4

A Photograph - Analysis

  • The poem explores three generations: the poet's mother as a child, the mother as an adult, and the poet in the present
  • The photograph captures a moment of joy - mother with cousins Betty and Dolly at the beach
  • Time is the central theme - 'terribly transient feet' emphasizes the fleeting nature of life

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Full Notes

Key Concepts

The grandmother is depicted asThe relationship between the authorThe conflict between traditional values (representedIn 'A Photograph'The grandmother accepts the changes

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the important topics in The Portrait of a Lady & A Photograph for Odisha Board Class 11 English?
The Portrait of a Lady & A Photograph covers several key topics that are frequently asked in Odisha Board Class 11 board exams. Focus on the core concepts listed on this page and practise related questions to build confidence.
How to score full marks in The Portrait of a Lady & A Photograph — Odisha Board Class 11 English?
Understand the core concepts first, then work through the 78 practice questions available for this chapter. Revise formulas and definitions regularly, and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.

Sources & Official References

Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.

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All 11 chapters — Odisha Board Class 11 English Revision Notes

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