Bholi Extra Questions and Answers Class 10 English
Bholi Class 10 Extra Questions & Answers are available here. Class 10 English Bholi extra questions and answers are prepared by our expert teachers. All these questions are divided into two or three sections. They are short type questions answers, long type question answers and extract based questions. Learning these questions will help you to score excellent marks in the board exams.
Bholi Extra Questions and Answers
Short Answer Type Questions
1.” God cannot be everywhere, so he created Mothers”. Do you think Bholi’s mother complies with this statement? Give at least three reasons to support your answer.
Answer: Bholi’s mother does not comply with this statement- Following are the reasons for it:
(i)Bholi’s mother never took care of her — neither in childhood or in young age,
(ii) She was not concerned about her studies or clothing.
(iii) She did not bother about Bholi’s groom. Whether he was an aged person or a greedy one, whether he will honor her daughter or keep her as a slave in his house.
2. What were the two steps taken by Ramlal to persuade Bishamber to marry Bholi?
Answer: Ramlal persuaded Bishamber to marry Bholi by giving him the dowry of five thousand rupees.
3. Describe Bholi’s feelings when her teacher assured to make her the most learned in her village.
Answer: Bholi was sent to school because the Tehsildar compelled Ramlal to send one of his daughters to school, so that it may prove a role model for other girls. She was a slow learner and stammered while speaking and all the children in the school made fun of her. But her teacher encouraged her and made all efforts to make her the most learned in her village. She was impressed by her soft and soothing voice. She felt comfortable and stopped stammering. Now she was full of confidence and learned all the syllabus taught by her teacher.
4. Give two points to demonstrate that Bholi’s wedding was a grand one.
Answer: Bholi’s marriage was fixed with Bishamber who had a big shop, his own house and several thousand in the bank. It was a grand marriage. A brass-band playing a popular tune from an Indian film headed the procession. Secondly, the bridegroom was riding on a decorated horse. He came there with a big party of friends and relatives which looked like a procession.
5. What two actions did Bholi take to stop her marriage to Bishamber?
Answer: Bholi’s marriage was going to take place with Bishamber who himself was forty-five or fifty years old. He also limped and had two children from his first wife. Even then he demanded 5000 rupees as dowry. Bholi stopped the marriage by throwing away the garland in the fire. She threw away the veil and asked her father to take back the money and refused to marry Bishamber.
6. How did Bholi console her father in the end?
Answer: Bholi consoled her father that even if she did not get married, she would take care of her parents in their old age. She also tells them that she would teach in the same school where she had learned so much.
7. Draw a conclusion as to why Bholi’s teacher felt like an artist admiring her masterpiece.
Answer: Bholi’s teacher felt like an artist admiring her masterpiece, when she realized how her soothing words, education, and motivation gave confidence to Bholi to face the world and transformed her from a girl who was unsure about herself and a backward child, to a bold and confident girl.
8. What did the Tehsildar suggest to Ramlal?
Answer: The Tehsildar had come to the village to open the first primary school for girls. He told Ramlal that as a revenue official he is the representative of the government in the village, and so should set an example for the villagers by sending his daughters to school.
9. Everyone’s first day at school is generally filled with fun, joy and happiness. How was Bholi’s first day at school?
Answer: The teacher gave her a book having colorful pictures of animals. With every picture was a word in big black letters. The teacher told her that she would be able to read that book in a month. Then she would give her a bigger book. She liked the book very much. Thus she enjoyed her first day in school.
10. How was Bholi different from the other children at home?
Answer: When Bholi was 10 months old, she fell from a cot. This damaged a part of her brain and affected her intelligence. She became a slow learner, a retarded child. So, she was called Bholi’, a simpleton. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox that left pockmarks on her face and she looked ugly. Rest of her brothers and sisters were normal.
11. What ideas do you form of Ramlal’s personality?
Answer: Ramlal was the revenue officer of the village. He was a prosperous farmer and had seven children. He was orthodox. He did not believe in the ideology of sending girls to school as it would be difficult to find a good match for them. He wanted to get rid of Bholi as she was ugly and not intelligent.
12. Describe two accidents that had disfigured Bholi and made her a backward child.
Answer: At birth, Bholi was very fair and pretty. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Her entire body was permanently disfigured with deep pock-marks. When she was just ten months old, she fell off her cot. Perhaps a part of her brain was damaged. It made her a backward child. She learned to speak at the age of five and stammered while speaking.
13.Was Ramlal happy to send Bholi to school? If not, why did he send her there?
Answer: No girl in the family had ever gone to school. Bholi’s mother believed if they sent their daughters to school, then no one would marry them. But an unexpected thing happened. The Tehsildar who inaugurated the first girl school in the village asked Ramlal to set an example before the villagers. He must send his daughters to school. Ramlal couldn’t afford to disobey the Tehsildar. So, Bholi was sent to school.
14. Why was Bholi frightened to go to school?
Answer: No girl in the family had ever gone to school. The next day, when Ramlal held her hand to take her to school, Bholi was frightened. She did not know what school was. She thought that perhaps her parents were punishing her by sending her to school. So, she cried out in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip.
15. What preparations were made to send Bholi to school? When did she begin to think that school was a better place than her home?
Answer: Ramlal asked his wife to arrange some decent clothes for Bholi. He didn’t want the teachers and other school girls to make any bad image of the family. Therefore, Bholi was lucky to get a clean dress that didn’t fit Champa. Bholi was bathed. Oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. Only then Bholi began to think that she was going to a better place than to her home.
16. How was Bholi’s first day at the school? Did she enjoy it?
Answer: Ramlal handed over Bholi to the headmistress. She asked Bholi to sit down in a corner in one of the classes. Bholi was glad to find so many girls of her age in the class. She hoped to make one of them her friend. She couldn’t understand what the teacher was saying. She liked the pictures of birds and animals on the wall. The teacher asked her name but Bholi couldn’t pronounce it in spite of many forts. The kind and friendly teacher encouraged her and Bholi could say. “Bh-Bh-Bho-Bholi”. The teacher patted her on her success. Bholi felt comforted and relieved.
17. How did the teacher help Bholi to pronounce her name full and clearly?
Answer: The teacher asked Bholi to tell her name. She could stammer “Bh-Bho-Bho” only. She began to cry, and tears rolled down her eyes. Girls still laughed at her. But the teacher comforted her. Her voice was very soothing. She made another effort but failed. The teacher encouraged her. And Bholi made the last effort and spoke, Bh — Bh — Bho — Bholi.” She was relieved as if it was a great achievement. The teacher patted her on her success.
18. “In time you will be more learned than anyone else in the village,” said the teacher to Bholi. What was the basis of reposting such confidence in a girl who couldn’t pronounce her name properly?
Answer: Bholi stammered and couldn’t even pronounce her full name to the teacher. The teacher succeeded and made her say: “Bh! Bh — Bho — Bholi.” She asked her to come to school every day. The teacher gave her a picture book and hoped that she would finish it within a month. In time, she would be more learned than anyone else in the village. Then, no one would ever be able to laugh at her.
19. When and why did Bholi feel that her heart was throbbing with new hope and a new life?
Answer: Bholi had achieved what she could have never even dreamed. With the encouragement and help of her teacher she could pronounce her name: “Bh —Bho — Bholi” and say: “Ye — Ye-Yes.” Then the teacher gave her a picture book. She was sure that Bholi would finish it within a week. In time she would be more learned than anyone in the village. Then, nobody would ever dare to laugh at her. Bholi felt her heart throbbing with new hope and new life.
20. What changes did the village see after some years?
Answer: The years passed. The village became a small town. The primary school became a high school. There was a cinema under the tin-shed. There was a cotton-ginning mill. The mail train now stopped at their railway station.
21. Was Ramlal happy with Bishamber’s proposal? What was the opinion of Bholi’s mother about this unequal match?
Answer: Bishamber was worried about Bholi. She had neither good looks or intelligence. The proposal of Bishamber for her marriage was a pleasant surprise for him. His wife gave her acceptance to this unequal match. She felt that Bholi was lucky to have such a rich bridegroom. He had a big shop, his own house and several thousand rupees in the bank. Moreover, he was not asking for dowry.
22. Was Bishamber a suitable bridegroom for Bholi? Give your opinion.
Answer: No, Bishamber was not at all a suitable match for Bholi. No doubt, he was rich, had a big shop, a house of his own and thousands of rupees in the bank. But he was mean, greedy and a worthless man. When he came to know of the pock-marks on Bholi’s face, he demanded a dowry of 5000 rupees to marry her. Even the turban of Ramlal at his feet couldn’t melt his heart. Bholi did the right thing to reject him.
23. Why didn’t Bholi at first opposed the proposal of the unequal match? Why did she agree to it?
Answer: Bholi knew that she was just a burden for her parents. They thought her worthless and couldn’t even dream of a good marriage proposal for her. When she realised that her parents were happy to find such a rich and prosperous bridegroom for her, she bowed to their wishes. She didn’t oppose it to keep the honor of the family intact. He agreed to many a man who was of the age of her father and had grown-up children from his first wife.
24. What preparations had Bishamber made on the wedding day? What was the reaction of Bholi’s parents and elder sisters regarding the celebrations?
Answer: The bridegroom, Bishamber, was a well-to-do grocer. He was happy and excited about the wedding day. He had come with a large party of friends and relatives with him for the wedding. A brass-band headed the procession. It was playing a popular tune of a film. Ramlal was overjoyed to see such pomp and splendor. Bholi’s elder sisters were envious of her luck.
25. What happened when Bishamber took a quick glance at his bride’s face?
Answer: The auspicious moment had come. The bridegroom lifted the garland of yellow marigolds. A woman slipped back the silken veil from the bride’s face. Bishamber took a quick glance. The garland remained poised in his hand. He shouted that the bride had pockmarks on her face. If he was to marry her, her father must give him five thousand rupees.
26. How did Ramlal react to Bishamber’s demand of 5000 rupees to marry Bholi?
Answer: Bishamber clearly declared that if he married Bholi, her father would give him 5000 rupees. Ramlal went and placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet. He begged him not to humiliate him in that manner. He was ready to give 2000 rupees. Bishamber didn’t budge. Ramlal went inside and came back with the money and placed the bundle of notes at Bishamber’s feet.
27. Why did Bholi throw the wedding garland into the fire?
Or
Why did Bholi refuse to accept Bishamber as her husband when she had agreed to his proposal earlier?
Answer: Earlier, Bholi couldn’t oppose the proposal as she wanted to save the honor of the family. But now enough was enough. Bishamber had no regard and respect for her parents. He was ready to marry her for 5000 rupees. When he moved forward to garland her, she threw the wedding garland away into the force. She declared that she would not have such a mean, greedy and cowardly person as her husband.
28. How did Bholi react to the remarks of an old woman who called her “a shameless girl” and “a harmless dumb cow?”
Answer: When Bholi refused to accept a mean, greedy and cowardly man as her husband, everybody was stunned. An old woman called her “a shameless girl.” She had thought her “a harmless dumb cow.” Bholi turned violently on the old woman. She told that everybody had thought her a dumb cow and so they wanted to hand her over to such a heartless creature. She reminded that the ‘dumb cow’ had got a tongue now and she could speak out to defend herself.
29. How did Ramlal react after the ceremony ended with the departure of the bridegroom alone?
Answer: Ramlal stood silently rooted to the ground. His head bowed with the weight of grief and sorrow. He turned to Bholi and asked what would happen to her now. No one would ever marry her. He asked, “What shall we do with you?”
30. A grieving father asked Bholi: “But what about you? No one will ever marry you now,” What was Bholi’s reply to his grieving father?
Or
What did Bholi tell her father about her future plans when he was grieving at the break up of the marriage?
Answer: When her grieving father showed her anxiety about her still unmarried daughter, Bholi replied calmly and steadily. He asked her father not to worry about her. She assured that she would serve him and her mother in their old age. And she also said that she would teach in the same school where she had learned so much.
31. How did the teacher react to Bholi’s wish expressed in the end?
Answer: The teacher had all along stood there in a corner. She had been watching the whole drama. She also heard Bholi saying that she would teach in the same school where she had learned so much. Bholi turned to the teacher for affirmation. The teacher replied, “Yes, Bholi, of course’. She felt as if her mission had been completed.
32. Why was Sulekha called Bholi, the simpleton?
Answer: ‘Sulekha’ means a woman who writes with a beautiful hand. Ironically, Bholi of the story was considered to be a backward child. She was called a ‘simpleton’ or a witless girl. She fell off her cot in early childhood, and a part of her brain was damaged. All the girls of Ramlal except Bholi were good looking and healthy. Bholi couldn’t speak properly and stammered. Her pock-marks made her far from being pretty. Everyone mocked and made fun of such a stammering simpleton.
33. Describe the family of Ramlal, the Numberdar.
Answer: Ramlal was a Numberdar and collected revenue for the government from the village. He had seven children — three sons and four daughters. Radha, the eldest girl was married. Mangla was the second daughter. Her marriage had been fixed. All his daughters were good looking and healthy. The boys were sent to the city for studies. Ramlal was worried about Bholi. She had neither good looks or intelligence. It was rather difficult to get her married off.
34. Why was Sulekha nicknamed Bholi?
Answer: When Sulekha was ten months old, she fell down from the cot on her head. Some part of her brain was damaged. That was why she remained a backward child and came to be called as Bholi, the simpleton.
35. Why did Sulekha start stammering?
Answer: Sulekha could not speak until she was five. When at last she learned to speak she started stammering because other children often made fun of her and mimicked her.
36. Why did the Tehsildar come to Ramlal’s village? What did he ask Randal to do?
Answer: The Tehsildar came to Ramlal’s village to perform the opening ceremony of a primary school for girls. Ramlal was the Numberdar of the village. So, the Tehsildar asked him to set an example before the village by sending his daughters to school.
37. Why was Bholi reluctant to go to school with her father?
Answer: Bholi did not know what a school was like. She thought that her father was turning her out of his house like their old cow Lakshmi. She shouted in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip.
38. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?
Answer: Bholi was a neglected child. But that day she was given a clean dress. She was bathed. Even oil was rubbed into her dry and matted hair. This made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home.
39. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamher’s marriage proposal? Give three reasons.
Answer: Bholi’s parents agreed to marry their daughter Bholi to Bishamber because :
(i) Bishamber was a rich grocer and he did not demand any dowry.
(ii) He was from another village and did not know about her pock-marks and lack of sense.
(iii) If they did not accept the proposal Bholi was likely to remain unmarried all her life.
40. How does she become a masterpiece?
Answer: Bholi was a witless fool. She stammered. She was totally neglected. But her teacher encouraged and inspired her. She became a confident and vocal woman. She refused to marry a greedy man. She resolved to serve her parents in old age. Thus, she becomes a masterpiece.
41. Give detail about Ramlal’s children.
Answer: Ramlal had seven children-four daughters and three sons. All of his children except Bholi were healthy. His sons studied in schools and colleges. Bholi was his youngest daughter. She was a backward child.
Long Answer Type Questions
1. Although Bholi never got the deserved love, care and acceptance from her family, she is ready to reciprocate like all daughters in Indian society. Discuss the character of Bholi in the light of the above-mentioned
Answer: Bholi was the fourth daughter of Ramie!. She got her brain damaged when she was only ten months old. At the age of two, she had an attack of smallpox which left permanent pockmarks on her body. She stammered while speaking. Thus she was a neglected child in her family. Nobody took care of her. Nobody loved her. Nobody had any expectations from her. Her parents called her a dumb cow and treated her so. The old dresses of her sister were passed on to her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes.
New clothes had never been made for Bholi. No one oiled her hairs or tried to teach her anything. Luckily she was sent to school and her teacher changed her life entirely. Now she was a learned girl. When her parents decided to marry her with Bishamber a fifty years old lame, greedy person, she did not speak a word and agreed to it silently for the sake of her parents. She did not even protest. Later on, when Bishamber insulted her parents and demanded 5000 rupees, she refused to marry him and declared that she will never marry anyone and will always serve her parents in their old age. Thus in spite of being a neglected child, Bholi acted like all daughters in Indian societies.
2. Bholi challenged the dowry seeker. She used to be a meek girl. What changed her attitude towards life?
Answer: Bholi used to be a meek girl. She had pockmarks on her body. Her brain got damaged when she was just ten months. She was also a slow learner. She could not speak until she was five. Later on, she started stammering while speaking.
She was sent to school just for formality. Her parents were not serious about her studies. But her teacher changed her life. She encouraged her to speak properly and to learn more and more in school.
Then she knew what is good or what is bad. Now she could differentiate between right and wrong. Education totally changed her personality. Even then she behaved like an obedient girl and agreed to marry Bishamber— fifty years old. same person. But she could not stand his demand of dowry. She refused to fulfill Bishamber’s demand of five thousand rupees and denied to marry him. Thus education changed her attitude towards her life.
3.’And in her smiling eyes was the light of deep satisfaction that an artist feels when he is contemplating the completion of his masterpiece.’ Imagine you are Bholi’s teacher. You are overwhelmed with a sense of satisfaction to see the conversion of Moll’ to ‘Selecta’. Express your feelings in the form of a diary entry.
Answer: Diary entry
15.2.2017
Today I felt very much satisfied as I gotsuccess in changing Bholi to Selecta. As her name signifies Bholi was really a simple girl. I cannot forget her first entry in my class. A frightened, confused and a simple girl; was her first appearance. She used to stammer while speaking. But my two words of affection filled her with confidence. She left stammering and became a confident, determined girl. She was determined to learn everything silently. In her family, nobody noticed the changes that took place in her personality and got her engaged to a fifty-year-old lame man with two children. She kept the honor of her parents and agreed to this marriage. But she could not stand with the demand of dowry. She threw away her garland in the fire and asked her father to take back the money. She raised her voice against dowry. She asked the ladies of the village why girls should be treated like a dumb cow. This was the change I always wanted to see in her personality. Today, I feel I have completed my masterpiece without any error. Today she signified her real name SULEIGIA.
4. Demanding dowry is an evil practice. Describe how Bholi, a dumb cowgirl fought against this evil.
Answer: Bholi was considered a dumb cowgirl. She was sent to school just to obey the orders of Tehsildar. Her teacher played an important role in changing her life from Bholi to Selecta. Now she became a confident, educated girl but nobody noticed any change in her personality because she was no one for her family. She got engaged with a fifty years old lame man for which she agreed silently.
But when he demanded five thousand rupees as dowry Bholi at once stood up against it. She refused to marry him. She gave her consent for a mismatched marriage but she did not support dowry. She called Bishamber a mean, greedy and contemptible coward. She was no more a dumb driven cow. She set an example for the society and became a role model for all the girls.
5. Who was Bishamber? Why did Bholi’s parents accept his marriage proposal?
Answer: Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer of the same age as Bholi’s father. He was a widower who had a house of his own and a big bank balance. To marry off his daughter to Bishamber was a dream for Ramlal, who, after an initial hesitation, was overjoyed to accept his proposal for marriage. Moreover, Bishamber did not demand dowry. For Ramlal, Bholi was the fourth daughter. Her pock-marked face, her slowness in understanding things, and her stammering were real problems, for Ramlal in marrying her off.
However, Bishamber Nath yeas not aware of these ‘flaws’ of Bholi. So when he proposed to Ramlal, he readily accepted fearing that if he rejected the proposal Bholi would remain unmarried all her life. She would then be a burden on her parents. Thus, Ramlal felt lucky to have a groom like Bishamber Nath for his daughter.
6. It was a twist of fate that Bholi’s future was made better.’ Rate the above statement with reference to how Bholi was sent to school and educated.
Answer: Bholi was a weak, timid person. She was an ignored child. Her parents treated her like a burden. She was neglected. Ill-treated and considered a dumb cow by her family. She was sent to school, her parents thought she would not be able to get a match with her slow brain and pockmarked ugly fact. This was a twist of fate for her.
At the school she luckily gots motivating, encouraging teacher who instilled in her traits of self-confidence, self-respect and courage. To relieve her parents from worry, she agreed to marry a lame, widower with grown-up children.
At the time of garlanding, the widower, Bishmabar noticed pockmarks on Bholi’s face. Re demanded Rs. 5000 as dowry money. Her father pleaded to lessen the amount but he stuck to his demand. This aroused Bholi’s self-respect and she refused in front of all to marry such a greedy, mean and heartless fellow. She decided to become a school teacher and serve her parents in their old age.
Her school teacher changed her future and made it better. She transformed a timid, tome, dumb cow into a bold, courageous, confident and self-respecting person.
7. Bholi’s father was worried about her. Why didn’t Bholi’s parents treat her at par with other siblings? Parents are the ones who the children look up to. What values should the parents possess that help their children share a strong bond with them?
Answer: When Bholi was ten months old, she fell down from a cot. This damaged a part of her brain and affected her intelligence and speech. She became a slow learner and started speaking with a stammer. So she was called Shelf or a simpleton. Besides, at the age of two, she got an attack of smallpox which left pockmarks on her face making her ugly. This was her father’s worry. She was ill-treated and ignored by her family. She remained backward and neglected. She never got new clothes.
The old dresses of her sisters were passed onto her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes, put oil in her hair or comb them properly. She was never able to understand the reason for such differences. She could never connect herself with her parents. The values that children share with their parents were missing from them. She got these values from her teacher. She became an obedient and well-behaved daughter of her parents.
8. The story, Thule throws light on some social evils being practiced in our society. Bholi took a stand and succeeded in overcoming social bathers. What can you contribute to change the social attitudes illustrated in the story?
Answer: Bholi was an ill-treated and ignored child. She had pockmarks on her face making her ugly. She was also a slow learner, a retarded child and also stammered while talking. Her parents always neglected her and she was a nuisance for them. When she grew up, the parents received a marriage proposal for her from Bishamber. He was a lame, old widower with grown-up children. Her parents were happy to get the proposal.
At the time of marriage when Bishamber saw pockmarks on Bholi’s face, he asked a dowry of Rs. 5000 to marry her. Bholi’s father agreed. This aroused the self-respect of Bholi and she refused to marry such a greedy, mean and heartless, lame, old man. Her behavior revealed that she took a stand and succeeded in overcoming social barriers. She announced to remain a spinster and to never marry.
We can also contribute to change the social attitudes by educating our girls. We should make them self-confident and independent. We can all follow the norm ‘each one teaches one’ to eradicate illiteracy and spread awareness, as only education guarantees a better future.
9. Bholi’s teacher was not an ordinary teacher. She was more than that. Suppose you become a teacher. What qualities of Bholi’s teacher will you imbibe to help students to overcome social discrimination?
Answer: If I become a teacher, I would install all the qualities that Bholi’s teacher has, to help students to overcome social discrimination.
Bholi was sent to school because of her ugly face and lack of intelligence; she had little chance of getting a match. “Let the teachers at school worry about her,” said her mother.
Her teacher worked on her as an artist. She motivated and encouraged her, instilled in her traits of self-confidence, self-respect and courage. Education and the teacher’s efforts produced wonderful results. She stopped stammering. She hoped to be respected after completing her education. Her teacher was a caring, affectionate, kind lady who brought change in her life. She built up Bholi’s confidence and self-respect. Only because of her teacher’s instincts she could have the courage to refuse to marry a mean, greedy, lame old man.
10. Describe the teacher’s role in molding the life of Bholi.
Or
Discuss the role of Bholi’s teacher is transforming her.
Answer: Bholi was sent to school because with her ugly face and lack of intelligence, she had little chance of getting a match. “Let the teachers at school worry about her,” said her mother. Bholi was unwilling to go because she thought that she was being sold and turned out of the house like her cow Lakshmi. She was given clean clothes to wear for the first time. Her visit to school proved a turning point in the life of this neglected girl. Her teacher worked on her as an artist. She spoke to her lovingly and sweetly in her soft, soothing voice. She consoled and encouraged her to speak without a stammer. She raised in her the hope of a new and respectable life.
Education and the teacher’s efforts produced wonderful results. The teacher played a key role in Bholi’s life. She made her a confident, bold and self-respecting person. The teacher realized that the frightened girl only needed some tender care and encouragement. Education gave her strength, knowledge and understanding. From a fool, she became an enlightened girl.
11. Give a brief character sketch of Bholi and describe the role of the teacher played in her life?
Or
In the light of the chapter, Thule, how far would you agree that “education is really an eye-opener.”
Answer: Bholi’s real name was Selecta. But everyone started calling her a fool since the time that she was a little child. When she was ten months old, she fell off the cot and damaged some part of her brain. This affected her intelligence and her speech. She couldn’t speak till she was five. And even after that, she would stammer. She was laughed at and mimicked by other children. So she talked very little. Fate played a cruel joke on her. An attack of smallpox left pockmarks all over her face and body. The fair and pretty two-year-old child is ugly looking. She remained backward and neglected. She never got new clothes to wear. Transformation in her life started from the age of seven when she was sent to school.
Her teacher was a caring, affectionate, kind lady who brought change in her life. Her parents were worried about Bholi’s future. They wanted to marry her off to a lame old man. But her teacher built up Bholi’s confidence and power of speech. She had become confident, bold and self-respecting having the courage to refuse to marry a mean, greedy, lame old man. Thus, a loving mentor and good education changed Bholi’s life forever.
12. Give a character-sketch of Bholi’s teacher who taught at the primary village school.
Answer: The lady teacher who taught Bholi’s class was really an ideal teacher. She had all the mobility and maturity that are the hallmarks of her profession. She was kind-hearted and understanding. She knew how to deal with a child of special needs like Bholi. When she noticed her, she smiled and asked her name. Bholi stammered: “Bho —Bho —Bho.” The girls laughed but the teacher assured her. The teacher’s voice was soft and soothing. She again asked to tell her name. It was not a command. All her life she had never been called like that.
The teacher persisted in her efforts to make her pronounce her full name without stammering. And she did succeed. Bholi pronounced: “Bh—Bh—Bho—Bholi.” Even Bholi was surprised at how she was able to say it.
With affection and tender love, the teacher dealt with the unfortunate child. She gave her a book of pictures and hoped she would finish it within a month. She assured Bholi that one day she would be more learned than anybody else in the village.
The teacher had all along stood in a corner during the wedding day of Bholi. She was watching the whole drama. She heard Bholi say that she would teach in the same school where she had learned so much. Bholi looked towards for her confirmation. The teacher replied promptly; “Yes, Bholi, of course.”
13. Who was Bishamber Nath? Did Bholi do the right thing to reject such a person?
Or
Give a character sketch of Bishamber Nath.
Answer: Bishamber Nath was a well-to-do grocer. He had a big shop. He had a house of his own and thousands of rupees in the bank. He was a widower. He had children from his first wife. They were quite grown up now. Bishamber was an unequal match for Bholi. He was almost of the age of her father. He limped too. But Bholi’s parents thought him a good match for Bholi. He ignored his age and limping and accepted Bishamber’s proposal of marriage. Of course, Bholi was not even consulted.
Bishamber Nath wanted to dazzle Bholi’s parents with his wealth. He came with a large party of friends and relatives for the wedding. A brass band moved ahead playing a popular filmy tune. Ramlal was overjoyed to see this pomp and grandeur. Bishamber Nath showed his true colour when he found that the bride had pockmarks on her face. He shamelessly demanded five thousand rupees as dowry to marry such a girl. Ramlal put even his turban at his feet. Bishamber didn’t budge and Ramlal put a bundle of notes at his feet.
Bishamber was rightly punished and humiliated in the end. The ‘dumb cow’ got her tongue now. She threw away the wedding garland into the fire. She refused to many such a mean, greedy and worthless man. Bholi did the right thing by rejecting such a person.
14. What kind of treatment does Bholi get from her parents? Does she deserve it? Comment.
Answer: Sulekha (Bholi) was the fourth and youngest daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. At birth, Bholi was quite fair and pretty. When she was just ten months old, she fell off the cot. Perhaps, she damaged a part of her brain. When she was two years old, an attack of smallpox disfigured her. She had deep black pock-marks all over her body. All the other daughters of Ramlal were good looking and healthy. Bholi’s parents were worried, as Bholi had neither good looks or intelligence. The parents had no problem in marrying the other girls. They thought that no one would ever marry such a girl. Bholi’s parents considered her a backward child. Her stammering made children laugh.
Bholi was sent to school. It was not because her parents wanted to give her a good education. Actually, being a Numberdar, he couldn’t disobey the Tehsildar who asked him to send his daughters to school. The way Bholi’s parents treated Bholi in finalising her marriage with Bishamber shows their callousness and indifference towards their daughter. Marrying her to an old and limping man with grown-up children showed their callous disregard for the happiness of their unfortunate child.
15. Draw a pen—portrait of Ramlal in about 120 words.
Answer: Ram Lal was a well-to-do farmer. In his prosperous household, they had enough to eat and drink. Following the tradition of the times, he maintained a big family. He had seven children — three boys and four girls. Boys were sent to the city to get a proper education. All his children, except Bholi, were good-looking and healthy. Ramlal and his wife were more interested in marrying off their daughters than in giving them a good education.
Bholi was sent to school because Ramlal couldn’t disobey the Tehsildar. He had asked him to send his daughters to school. Ramlal was a pragmatic and practical man. He was not burdened with the weight of morality. Money and wealth were more important to him than anything else. He was happy to marry off Bholi to an old and limping man.
Being the Numberdar of the village, Ramlal had a high sense of himself and his family’s honor. He even put his turban at Bishamber’s feet to save the honor or ‘izzat’ of his family. He was even ready to give 5000 rupees as demanded by Bishamber. He was always worried about Bholi. She was neither good-looking or had any intelligence. He was worried that no man would ever marry her.
16. Narrate Bholi’s first experience in the class. How was she treated by her teacher?
Answer: Bholi was afraid of going to school. She didn’t know what school was like. When Ramlal caught her hand to take her to school, she shouted in terror; “N—n—n—No.” She pulled her hand away. Ramlal banded over Bholi to the headmistress. Bholi was sent to one of the classrooms. She sat in a corner. At last, she was happy to find so many girls there. They were of her age. She hoped to befriend one of them. Bholi was impressed by the colourful pictures of birds and animals on the wall.
The woman who made Bholi’s first experience at the school pleasant and enjoyable was her teacher. She smiled at her and asked her name. Bholi could only stammer; “Bh—Bho—Bho—”. She couldn’t pronounce her full name. She began to cry and tears flowed from her eyes. She felt helpless. The girls laughed at her. But the soothing voice of the teacher comforted her. In her soft voice, the teacher asked to make another try. It was not a command. It was a friendly request. The teacher encouraged her. “Come on, now — the full name”.
At last, Bholi was able to say, “Bh — Bh — Bho —Bholi.” She felt relieved. She wondered at her success. Bholi was fortunate to have such a teacher. She gave a picture book to Bholi. She hoped that she would finish it within a month. She assured Bholi that one day she would be more learned than anyone else in the village. Then nobody would be able to laugh at her.
17. Draw a character-sketch of Bholi in your own words, highlighting her transformation from a harmless dumb cow’ to a fearless and independent girl. Or Bholi was known to be a “dumb cow.” How did she turn out to be an outspoken and fearless girl?
Answer: Bholi was the youngest of Ramlal’s four daughters. All other daughters were good-looking and healthy. Bholi was considered just a simpleton. Her stammering made her a stock of laughter for children. Her pock-marks had disfigured her badly. She had neither good looks or intelligence. She was like “a harmless dumb cow” who didn’t know how to express herself properly. At birth, Bholi was very fair and pretty. When she was just ten months old, she fell off her cot. Perhaps a part of her brain was damaged. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox. Her eyes were saved but deep black pock-marks disfigured her.
Bholi’s teacher at the village primary school changed her life. In her teaching, she found a kind and helpful human being. She taught her how to pronounce her name properly. She gave Bholi all the confidence and encouragement that she needed so badly. The teacher assured that one day she would be more learned than anyone else in the village.
Being an obedient child, Bholi didn’t oppose the proposal of an old and lame person. She did so for the honor of the family. But when Bishamber insisted on demanding five thousand rupees for marrying a girl with pock-marks, she revolted. She threw the wedding garland into the fire. She refused to marry such a greedy and mean person. She also decided to serve her parents in their old age. She declared that she would teach in the same school where she had learned so much.
18. On the basis of your understanding of the story, sketch the character of Bholi and describe the role of the teacher played in her life.
Answer: Bholi was Ramlal’s youngest daughter. When she was ten months old she fell down from the cot and a part of her brain was damaged. So she remained a backward child. Her face was permanently disfigured by pock-marks when she was two years old. She began to speak at the age of five years but she stammered. She was a neglected child. None cared for her. They called her a witless fool. Other children mimicked and laughed at her.
But when she was sent to school her life totally changed. Her teacher was kind and sympathetic. She encouraged and inspired her to rise higher in life. The teacher gave her confidence. She made her speak without a stammer. She was learned. She refused to marry a mean and greedy man. She decided to serve her old parents and her village by teaching other girls.
19. What was new hope and new life for Bholi?
Or
Describe Bholi’s experience on her first day at school.
Answer: One day Ramlal held Bholi’s hand and asked her to go to school. Bholi did not know what a school was like. She thought that her father was turning her out of his house like their old cow Lakshmi. She shouted in terror and pulled her hand away from her father’s grip. On the first day of school, she was frightened. But after some time she seemed to be enjoying the pictures on the wall. She was happy to see so many girls of her age in the class. The real thing that made her happy on this very day was the loving and soothing treatment of the teacher.
The teacher spoke to her in a soft and soothing voice. No one had ever spoken to her gently. This touched her heart. The teacher told Bholi that if she came to school regularly she would be more learned than anyone else in the village. She would speak without a stammer and everyone would listen to her with respect. This was a new hope and new life for Bholi.
20. What ideas do you form of Ramlal’s personality?
Or
Give a brief sketch of Ramlal’s character.
Answer: Ramlal was the Numberdar of his village. He had a respectable position in the village. He had four daughters and three sons. He was a loving father. He sent his sons to the city for education. He searched for good bridegrooms for his three daughters. He was worried about his youngest daughter Bholi. He took her to’ school. He asked his wife to bathe Bholi and give her clean clothes. He did not want to marry Bholi with Bishamber who was almost of his age. He wanted to consult Bholi in this matter. But it seems that he was in wife’s influence. Even in the end, he parted with five thousand rupees for the sake of Bholi’s happiness. Thus he was a good father.
21. Give a brief account of Ramlal’s children.
Answer: Randal had seven children—three sons and four daughters. The names of his daughters were Radha, Mangla. Champa and Sulekha. Sulekha, who was known as Bholi, was the youngest of the seven of Ramlal’s children. Ramlal was a prosperous farmer. All his children except Bholi were quite healthy and intelligent. His sons were sent to the city for education. Later they were sent to college. His three daughters Radha, Mangla and Champa were very beautiful. Ramlal had no problem regarding their marriages but he was much worried about Bholi. Bholi was a backward child. She had pock-marks on her face. She spoke with a stammer. She was a neglected child. None cared for her.
22. What kind of treatment is given to Bholi by her parents? Is it justified?
Answer: Bholi was the youngest of the seven of Ramlal’s children. Her real name was Sulekha. When she was ten months old, she fell down from the cot on her head. Some part of her brain was damaged. So she remained a backward child. She had pock-marks on her face. She spoke with a stammer. The treatment of her parents towards her was very discouraging. They called her a witless fool. They did little to take care of her. They didn’t give her new clothes. None washed her clothes and cared for her bath. They thought her a burden on their shoulders. They sent her to school only to take off this burden from their shoulders to that of the teacher’s.
Self-Assessment Test
Short Answer Questions
1. What were the two steps taken by Ramlal to persuade Bishamber to marry Bholi?
2. What did Sulekha later on come to be known as?
3. Why did Bholi not want to go to school first? What did she realise later?
4. Why did Ramlal send Bholi to school?
5. What happened when the teacher asked Bholi her name?
Long Answer Questions
1. In the light of the chapter, how far would you agree that “education is really an eye-opener”.
2. Discuss the role of Bholi’s teacher in transforming her.
3. What changes do we find in the behaviour of Bholi in the end of the story? Explain