Meaning of Frivolous Rebukes in the Chapter The Portrait of a Lady

Answer: There’s a phrase in The Portrait of a Lady that refers to “frivolous rebukes.” The term has the following connotation given its context: “in spite of the author’s grandmother’s criticisms or checks on the sparrows, the sparrows didn’t notice her stern words because they couldn’t understand human speech.”

The following is the literal meaning of the words:

(a)Frivolous: Lacking a meaningful goal or significance (of a person) Unconcerned and lighthearted.

(b)Rebukes: Disapprove or criticise someone harshly for their conduct or behaviour.