The Grandmother's Views

10 Questions

What did the narrator teach his grandmother about?

Western science and English words

What was the narrator's grandmother's association with music?

She believed it had lewd associations and was only for harlots and beggars

What did the narrator's grandmother do from sunrise to sunset?

She sat by her spinning-wheel spinning and reciting prayers

What did the narrator's grandmother do to relax in the afternoon?

She fed the sparrows in the verandah

Why did the narrator's grandmother rarely talk to him after the announcement of music lessons?

She disapproved of the music lessons

What did the narrator's grandmother do when he left for further studies abroad?

She was silent and prayed for his safety

What did the narrator cherish as a sign of physical contact with his grandmother when he left for abroad?

The moist imprint of her kiss on his forehead

What happened when the narrator returned home after five years?

His grandmother was met him at the station

What was the common link of friendship between the narrator and his grandmother that was snapped?

Their daily talks and interactions

What did the narrator's grandmother do with the beads of her rosary when she came to leave him at the railway station?

She used them to pray for his safety

Study Notes

Grandmother's Relationship with the Narrator

The narrator would teach their grandmother English words and share knowledge of Western science, including the law of gravity and Archimedes' Principle.
The grandmother was unhappy about this and did not believe in the teachings of the English school, as they did not include lessons about God and the scriptures.

Grandmother's Views on Music

The grandmother was disturbed when the narrator announced they would be receiving music lessons, as she associated music with immoral activities and believed it was only suitable for harlots and beggars.

Grandmother's Daily Life

The grandmother spent most of her day spinning and reciting prayers from sunrise to sunset.
She would take a short break in the afternoon to feed the sparrows, which brought her joy.

Grandmother's Reaction to the Narrator's Departure

When the narrator decided to go abroad for further studies, the grandmother did not show emotion or sentiment, but instead prayed silently.
She came to the railway station to see the narrator off, but did not speak or show any emotion.

Grandmother's Reunion with the Narrator

After five years, the narrator returned home and was met by the grandmother at the station.
Despite the passage of time, the grandmother looked unchanged and still had no time for words, instead reciting her prayers as she clasped the narrator in her arms.
The grandmother's happiest moments were still with her sparrows, which she fed with frivolous rebukes.
In the evening, the grandmother gathered the women of the neighborhood and started singing with an old drum, a change from her usual prayer routine.