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The short story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' by Sudha Murthy narrates the journey of a young girl teaching her illiterate grandmother to read and write, emphasizing the transformative power of education and the bond between generations. The story explores themes of perseverance, personal growth, and the breaking of societal barriers, showcasing the grandmother's evolution from traditional values to embracing literacy. Ultimately, it highlights the emotional impact of education on both characters and the significance of intergenerational relationships.

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28 views

Untitled Document

The short story 'How I Taught My Grandmother to Read' by Sudha Murthy narrates the journey of a young girl teaching her illiterate grandmother to read and write, emphasizing the transformative power of education and the bond between generations. The story explores themes of perseverance, personal growth, and the breaking of societal barriers, showcasing the grandmother's evolution from traditional values to embracing literacy. Ultimately, it highlights the emotional impact of education on both characters and the significance of intergenerational relationships.

Uploaded by

swarnabh60
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How I Taught My Grandmother to Read

-Sudha Murthy

Introduction:
"How I Taught My Grandmother to Read" is a short story written by Sudha Murthy in
first person narrative. The story revolves around the protagonist, a young girl, who
teaches her illiterate grandmother how to read and write. Through patience,
creativity, and determination, the granddaughter breaks through barriers of age and
tradition to empower her grandmother with literacy. The story highlights the
importance of education and the bond between generations.

Theme:
The main theme of "How I Taught My Grandmother to Read" revolves around the
transformative power of education and the importance of breaking societal barriers.
Through the granddaughter's efforts to teach her illiterate grandmother to read, the
story emphasises the value of literacy in empowering individuals and fostering
personal growth. Additionally, the story explores themes of intergenerational
relationships, perseverance, and the significance of traditional values in the context
of modern education.

Characters:

1. Granddaughter
The granddaughter is portrayed as a compassionate, determined, and
resourceful individual. She exhibits patience and empathy as she undertakes
the task of teaching her illiterate grandmother to read, showing a deep
understanding of the importance of education. Despite facing challenges and
obstacles, such as her initial reluctance or awkwardness and societal norms,
the granddaughter persists in her efforts, demonstrating her commitment to
helping her grandmother gain literacy skills. Her character symbolises the
transformative power of education and the strength of the bond between
generations.

2. Krishtakka aka Avva (Grandmother)


Krishtakka, also known as Avva is depicted as a traditional, illiterate woman
who initially seems set in her own way and reluctant to change. She embodies
the values and customs of her generation, which prioritise traditional roles and
beliefs over formal education. Despite her lack of literacy, Krishtakka is
portrayed as wise and caring, with a deep love for her family and a strong
sense of pride in her heritage. As the story progresses, Krishtakka undergoes
a transformation under the guidance of her granddaughter, Avva becomes
more open-minded and eager to acquire literacy skills. Through
granddaughter's patient and creative teaching methods, Krishtakka discovers
the joy and empowerment that come with reading and writing. Her character
arc highlights the potential for personal growth and self-discovery, even in the
later stages of life. Krishtakka's journey also reflects broader themes of
resilience, adaptation, and the evolving nature of tradition in the face of
modernity. By embracing the opportunity to learn, Krishtakka symbolises the
capacity for individuals to break free from societal constraints and pursue
personal development, regardless of age or background. She turned her
vulnerability as well as desire into her biggest strength.

Question-Answers

1. What were the obstacles the grandmother faced when she was a young
girl?
The grandmother lost her mother when she was very young. There was
nobody to look after and guide her. Her father got married again. In those
days people never considered education essential enough for girls, so she
never went to school. Moreover, she was married off at an early age.

2. In the lesson, ‘How I Taught My Grandmother to Read’ more than


anybody else, grandmother was interested in knowing about the latest
episode of Kashi Yatre ? Why was she so interested in it?
Kashi Yatre is the story of an old lady and her ardent desire to go to Kashi
and worship Lord Vishweshwara and her struggle to go there. The novel also
describes a young orphan girl who falls in love but has no money for the
wedding. In the end, the old lady gives away all her savings to the young girl
without going to Kashi. The grandmother identified herself with the protagonist
as she ‘too’ had never been to Kashi.

3. Why did everyone in the village wait eagerly for the bus?
At the time of writing the novel ‘Kashi Yatre’ the transport system in the
narrator’s village was far from being efficient. The villagers got the morning
paper in the afternoon only. The weekly magazines used to reach the village
by bus one day late. Thus, everyone would eagerly wait for the bus.

4. Why did the grandmother think of learning to read and write at the age
of sixty two?
Grandmother was a visionary lady who had very positive thoughts about
learning to read. She knew that education would make her independent. The
positive thoughts of the grandma inspired her to initiate learning. A sense of
helplessness and being dependent made her feel that she could lead her life
comfortably after being educated. She felt very bad and therefore, decided to
learn to read independently.
5. The grandmother touched the feet of her granddaughter. How did she
justify this gesture of hers?
The grandmother justified touching her granddaughter’s feet by considering
her a teacher who imparted knowledge with affection. She believed that
teachers, regardless of age and gender, deserve respect, aligning with the
tradition of touching feet as a sign of reverence.

6. Analyse the emotional impact of literacy on Sudha Murthy’s


grandmother.
Literacy had a profound emotional impact on Sudha Murthy’s grandmother. In
the chapter “How I Taught My Grandmother to Read,” Sudha Murthy likely
paints a vivid emotional landscape centered around the transformative power
of literacy. As she undertakes the role of an educator for her grandmother, the
emotional impact on her grandmother becomes palpable. The process of
learning to read is not merely an acquisition of a skill but a journey that fosters
a deep sense of accomplishment. The act of teaching becomes a conduit for
generational bonding, creating a shared experience that strengthens their
connection. This chapter likely encapsulates a blend of emotions—joy,
nostalgia, and perhaps even a touch of humour—as literacy brings not just a
practical skill but a transformation in the emotional fabric of the family. Sudha
Murthy’s narrative may resonate with themes of respect, gratitude, and
cultural significance, portraying literacy as a gateway to emotional enrichment
and familial understanding.

7. Why does the grandmother identify with the protagonist of ‘Kashi


Yatre’? What does this tell you about her character?
Kashi Yatre’ narrates the challenges faced by an elderly woman with a fervent
wish to visit Kashi or Varanasi. Unfortunately, she couldn’t fulfil this dream as
she utilised the savings meant for the pilgrimage to assist a destitute orphan
in getting married. In Hindu beliefs, pilgrimage to Kashi and offering worship
to Lord Vishweshwara is considered the ultimate act of virtue (‘punya’).
Despite harbouring a desire to visit Kashi, the grandmother found
contentment in her role of cooking and nurturing her grandchildren. This
shared sentiment establishes her identification with the protagonist of ‘Kashi
Yatre.’ It underscores her religious nature and displays her affectionate and
loving character.

8. "I could’ve asked somebody in this village but I was too embarrassed to
do so. I felt so very much dependent and helpless. We are well off but
what use is money when I cannot be independent.”

(a) Who is ‘I’ in these lines?


(b) Why did she feel dependent?
(c) What does the phrase “well off” mean?
(d) What does the grandmother mean by ‘I could’ve asked somebody’ ?
(e) Why would she feel embarrassed ?
(f) What is ‘being independent’ according to her ?
(a) ‘I’ in these lines is the grandmother whose name is Krishtakka.
(b) She felt dependent because she was illiterate. She could not read on her
own.
(c) The phrase “well off” means prosperous, to have a sufficient amount of
money.
(d) She could’ve asked somebody to read the story ‘Kashi Yatre’ to her.
(e) She feels embarrassed to reveal her inability to read and write.
(f) To be independent, according to her, is to be self-reliant, not seeking
anybody’s help.

9. “We have always touched the feet of God, elders and teachers. We
consider that as a mark of respect. It is a great tradition but today the
reverse has happened.”

(a) To which traditional Indian custom is the speaker referring to in the


above extract?
(b) What does the speaker consider as a mark of respect in the context
of the story?
(c) What is the meaning of ‘reverse’? What reverse had happened on
that day?
(d) What has happened now to this great Indian tradition ?
(e) What does the term “great tradition” refer to?
(f) What does the narrator mean by “reverse”?
(g) Why did this happen?
(a) The traditional Indian custom referred to is touching the feet of God, elders
and teachers.
(b) The speaker considers touching the feet of elders as a mark of respect.
(c) Reverse means ‘change something to the opposite’. On that day,
grandmother had touched the feet of her granddaughter.
(d) We have now forgotten this great Indian tradition.
(e) The “great tradition” refers to the tradition of touching the fret of elders.
(f) In the given extract the narrator meant that the opposite had happened as
the grandmother touched the feet of the granddaughter.
(g) The “reverse” had happened as the granddaughter had taught her
grandmother to read and write.

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