BHOLI BY: K A ABBAS

Que: Ramlal was worried about Bholi as she didn’t have good looks. Counter the
belief that it’s important for a girl to be good-looking and give a reason for the
same.
ANS: In today’s world girls can earn at par with boys. So, they are neither a
showpiece nor a burden on others. Hence, a girl doesn’t have to be always good-
looking irrespective of the boy’s appearance and status.
OR
ANS: Besides a girl’s looks, her intelligence and confidence matter more to today’s
youth. Today, girls are recognised and praised for their work rather than their
appearance.
Que: How did you feel when you read about Bholi being ignored and ill-treated by
her parents as a child?
ANS: I felt bad about her parents’ ill-treatment. She was unfortunate that destiny
did not favour her. Her parents’ dejection worsened her situation and pushed her
even backwards. Parents should always work for the upliftment of their children.
iii: Do you think Bholi could have confidently refused to marry Bishamber if she
weren’t educated? Give reason/s.
ANS: Without education, she could not have mustered up the courage and
confidence to refuse to marry the groom of her parent’s choice. Now, she could
earn and feed her old parents with self-respect.
Que: How would you have reacted if you were one of the guests witnessing Bholi’s
wedding when she refused to marry Bishamber Nath?
ANS: If I were a guest at Bholi’s wedding, I would have supported Bholi’s decision
and praised her for displaying courage and boldness to stand against the orthodox
of society. Bholi is indeed an epitome of an empowered woman determined and
dedicated to the cause of reforming the society affected with social maladies.
Que: Do you think Bholi’s father would have agreed to the match if her mother
hadn’t insisted upon it? Why/ Why not?
ANS: No, Bholi’s father was doubtful about the groom’s age but her mother’s
insistence and orthodox arguments convinced him to marry off their daughter to
Bishambhar. In fact, Mr. Ramlal was a little more judicious than his selfish and
arrogant wife.
Que: Bholi’s parents accepted the match for her though Bishamber Nath was
nearly the same age as her father. Bholi also accepted her parents’ decision
without voicing her opinion.
A) What does this tell you about the social conditions prevailing in our society?
b) How do you think these problems can be addressed?
ANS: a) This story tells us that girls were considered a burden on their parents and
they were not discussed on any matter not even in selecting their life partner.
Earlier girls too accepted it as their fate and did not raise their voices against any
partiality.
b) These problems can be addressed by educating the whole society. People
should be made aware that men and women have equal rights.
Ii You’ve read the quote: ‘A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his
influence stops.’ In the context of this statement, comment on the role of Bholi’s
teacher in her life.
ANS: Bholi’s teacher supported her by showing confidence in her. She helped her
in the school lessons but “a teacher affects eternity”. It was her influence that
made Bholi differentiate between right and wrong. Now, she could speak boldly in
front of all to save her own life as well as her parents honour and respect.
Which character traits of Bholi have had an everlasting impression on you? Why?
ANS: When Bholi’s teacher asked her name, she stammered and could not speak
her name. All the students laughed at her but she did not give up. Gradually, with
the help and support of her teacher, she became bold and confident. Her never
give up attitude impressed me a lot.
Que: Did Bholi enjoy her first day in school? What made her happy on this very
day?
Answer: It was a mixed day for Bholi. She was happy to see the girls of her age.
She was fascinated with the colourful pictures on the wall of the classrooms. But
when the teacher asked her name she could not answer properly and other girls
laughed at her. She cried. But her teacher’s soft words made her happy on this
very day.
Que: Dowry is negation of the girl’s dignity’. Discuss with reference to the story
‘Bholi’.
Answer:
A girl is an individual in her own right. Equal opportunities in life can help her
become independent and strong. She is not a burdensome object to be given
away with money as compensation. Thus dowry negates the girl’s dignity and self
respect.
The story ‘Bholi’ shows this in a dramatic manner. Bholi is thought to be ugly and
dumb by her parents. so, they are willing to pay dowry to an old man with a limp.
So that he marries her. Bholi, on the other hand, refuses to marry that man. She is
educated; assertive and capable of taking care of herself. She dedicates her life to
service of her parents and teaching at school.
Que: The chapter ‘Bholi’ highlights the discrimination against the girl child.
Analyse.
Answer:
Nature does not discriminate, but society does. From time immemorial the world
has discriminated against the girl child. The chapter, ‘Bholi’ throws up many such
instances. Randal’s sons go to school and college. His daughters are not educated
but married off. Her mother does not think it necessary to take Bholi’s consent for
her marriage. The groom is old and lame. Still he demands dowry. Her father is
ready to pay him also. It is the girl herself who raises her voice against this
marriage. She is criticised and humiliated for standing up for her dignity. But she is
firm and decides the course of her life.
The last line of the text talks about an artist and the masterpiece. Elaborate.
Answer: The ‘artist’ is the teacher and the ‘masterpiece’ is Bholi. It was her
teacher who had turned Bholi into a strong and independent girl who was aware
of her place in the society. She had taken the onus of sculpting Bholi from a dumb
cow to an outspoken and fearless young lady, ready to protest any type of
injustice in the society.
Question: What kind of mother was Ramlal’s wife?
Answer: Ramlal’s wife was a traditional housewife who believed that daughters
should not be educated, as it would be difficult to find husbands for them. She
neglected looking after her Bholi because she was a slow learner.
Question: How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of
her life?
Answer: Bholi’s teacher played an important role in changing the course of her
life. She was polite and friendly which touched her heart. She encouraged her
every time and was affectionate towards her. The teacher transformed her into a
confident person who could read, write and speak clearly. This gave her the
required confidence. Moreover, teacher’s appreciation and encouragement
LONG QUESTIONS:
Imagine you are Bholi and you have been invited by a girl’s secondary school in
another village to address a group of students about being independent, fearless
and breaking stereotypes. Write that speech.
ANS: Hello students!
It is an honour to stand here and share my life experiences with you. Today, you
find me a confident and self-dependent girl. But it was totally the opposite before
I joined a school. I was fearful, dependent, ignorant and a stammerer. But, my
school helped me to get educated and my teacher supported me in bringing out
my hidden confidence.
Education is a weapon. You get a chance to explore your latent talents and
capabilities through education which makes you fearless. A confident person can
distinguish between right and wrong. You must think twice before accepting the
stereotypes laid down by society for us. Through education, I could muster up the
courage to refuse to marry a greedy man who disgraced my parents. Today, I can
earn like my brother and give financial support to my old parents. In the end, I
want to say that you must educate yourself and show your real worth to the
world.
Good Luck to all of you!
Que: After reading Bholi’s story you decide to write a blog on the importance of
educating the girl child and how it empowers her. Write that blog expressing your
views.
ANS: Power of Education
Yesterday, I read the story of Bholi, a neglected child. It provoked me to rethink
the importance of education; especially for a girl child. They say, “A teacher affects
eternity, you never know how much the impact lasts”. Additionally, a mother is
the first teacher of a child. If a mother is educated she can make a difference in
the whole family’s thought process. Education broadens her intellect and
awareness. Thus, she safeguards herself from dominating men in society. Bholi’s
parents were marrying her off to a lame, greedy and middle-aged man. But, the
power of education made her capable of raising her voice against it. Besides, she
was confident enough to face the consequences of challenging the age-old
stereotypes. Today, women can work in any field and earn money equal to their
male counterparts. We must try to narrow the gap of gender discrimination by
educating our girl children..
MCQS:
Multiple Choice Questions based on an extract.
(A) “Ramlal stood rooted to the ground, his head bowed low with the weight of
grief and shame. The flames of the sacred fire slowly died down. Everyone
was gone. Ramlal turned to Bholi and said, “But what about you, no one
will ever marry you now. What shall we do with you?” And Sulekha said in a
voice that was calm and steady. “Don’t you worry, Pitaji! In your old age, I
will serve you and Mother and I will teach in the same school where I learnt
so much. Isn’t that right, Ma’am?” The teacher had all along stood in a
corner, watching the drama. “Yes, Bholi, of course,” she replied. And in her
smiling eyes was the light of deep satisfaction that an artist feels when
contemplating the completion of her masterpiece.”
I Ramlal stood rooted to the ground because he
a) was moved by what he heard.
b) was influenced by Bholi’s words
c) was in a state of shock.
d) was in an immovable position.

ii. Bholi had refused to get married as

a) her father couldn’t afford the dowry that was demanded
b) the bridegroom had been greedy and was disrespectful
c) the bridegroom had insulted her father
d) her father was getting her married to a man older than her
iii. Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘contemplating’ as used in the
extract.
A) Contemplating sharing my belongings with someone is definitely tough.
b) She took some time to respond as she was contemplating what to say.
c) I was contemplating my reflection in the mirror and was speechless.
D) She was contemplating through the pages of the document that was with her.
iv.Why did the teacher stand in one corner watching the drama?
a) She was elated to see what was happening.
b) She wanted to see what Bholi would be doing.
c) She didn’t want to interfere in a family matter.
d) She had faith in Bholi standing up for herself.
(B) “What’s the matter with you, you fool? Shouted Ramlal. “I am only taking you
to school.” Then he told his wife, “Let her wear some decent clothes today or else
what will the teachers and the other schoolgirls think of us when they see her?
New clothes had never been made for Bholi. The old dresses of her sisters were
passed on to her. No one cared to mend or wash her clothes. But today she was
lucky to receive a clean dress that had shrunk after many washing and no longer
fitted Champa. She was even bathed and oil was rubbed into her dry and matted
hair. Only then did she believe that she was being taken to a place better than her
home! When they reached the school, the children were already in their
classrooms.”
i.Why did Ramlal call Bholi a fool? This was because
a) Bholi had become hysterical and was screaming.
b) Bholi shouted in fear and pulled her hand away.
c) Bholi was behaving foolishly and was running away.
d) Bholi had been behaving very strangely with her father.
ii.Pick the sentence that brings out the meaning of ‘decent’ as used in the extract.
a) He gets a decent amount of salary.
b) One must be decent when having a conversation with strangers.
c) She was dressed in a decent manner for the interview.
d) It was very decent of him to lend me some money.
iii.Pick the option that best describes how Bholi felt at the end of her first day in
school.
A) lost and scared
b) calm and peaceful
c) elated and peaceful
d) hopeful and elated
iv. Why was Bholi’s hair matted?
a) It was entangled and oiled.
b) It was never oiled or combed.
c) It was not combed regularly.
d) It was unkempt and oiled.
V. What fear did Bholi have when she was told about being taken to school?
a) She thought she was going to be neglected by her parents.
b) She thought her parents were going to get rid of her.
c) She felt that she would be thrown out of the house and sold.
d) She thought her parents were thinking of ways to get rid of her.