Bholi

Question 1.
Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?
Answer:
Bholi was not like other children. She fell off a cot as a child due to which her brain
was slightly damaged. She learnt to speak very late and used to stammer. Her face
and whole body was covered with pockmarks. Thus, her father was worried about
her marriage prospects.

Question 2.
For what unusual reason is Bholi sent to school?
Answer:
As Ramlal was a government official and the Tehsildar had asked Ramlal to send his
daughters to the new school in his village, Bholi was sent to school just to satisfy the
Tehsildar. As Randal’s wife felt that sending girls to school affected their marriage
prospects adversely, she did not want to send any of her daughters to school.
However, Bholi, with her pock-marked face and dull brain would not be possible to
get married anyway, so Bholi’s parents decided to send her to school to satisfy the
Tehsildar.

Question 1.
Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?
Answer:
Bholi was afraid at first. She even wept when the teacher asked her name. She just
sat in a corner. But, the beautiful pictures on the clttssroom wall attracted her. The
gentle, kind and loving manner of her teacher made her comfortable. She was
looking forward to her new life by the time the first day ended. Thus, although initially
she did not enjoy it, but by the time she went home she had liked school.

Question 2.
Does she find her teacher to be different from the people at home?
Answer:
Bholi had been a neglected child at home. She was never bathed nor her clothes
washed. She was criticised and everyone made fun of her. But, she found her teacher
to be entirely different. Her teacher did not make fun of her ugliness or her
stammering. She encouraged her tenderly. Her affection deeply touched Bholi’s
heart.

Question 1.
Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?
Answer:
Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal as he was a well-to-do grocer and
had not asked for any dowry.

Question 2.
Why does the marriage not take place ?
Answer:
At the time of marriage, Bishamber asked for a dowry of five thousand rupees
because he saw Bholi’s pock-marked face. Ramlal had no choice but to pay. But,
Bholi refused to marry the greedy man. She asserted her rights and dignity. Thus the
marriage party was turned away

Question 1.
Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she
was going to a better place than her home?
Answer:
The day she was going to school forced her parents to dress her nicely. She was
bathed and her hair was properly done. Until then she was not being taken care of.
The special treatment she received made her feel that she was going to a better
place.

Question 2.
How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?
Answer:
Bholi stammered and was just a bundle of nerves when she attended school in the
beginning. Her teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to have confidence and
be bold. She taught her to read and write and made her an independent girl who was
aware of her rights. Thus, she changed her life.

uestion 3.
Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the
marriage. What does this tell about her?
Answer:
Bholi agreed to the match at first to fulfil her parents’ wishes. Later on, she rejected
the marriage when the bridegroom asked for dowry. This tells us that Bholi was not a
timid – and dumb girl. She was aware of her rights. She also knew how to fight for
her own dignity and feared no one.

Question 4.
Bholi’s real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in the
last but one paragraph of the story is Bholi called Sulekha again. Why do you think
she is called Sulekha at that point in the story?
Answer:
The word Bholi means a simpleton. Throughout the story she had been a simpleton
who hardly expressed her opinion on any matter. The word Sulekha means ‘a person
with a beautiful sense of letters’. In this story this word has a larger meaning of being
a literate,_ intelligent and mature individual. After her education, Bholi has really
changed to Sulekha and her assertion at the time of her marriage is her
announcement to the world that she is no more a Bholi, but is a Sulekha.

Question 1.
Bholi’s teacher helped her overcome social barriers by encouraging and motivating
her. How do you think you can contribute towards changing the social attitudes
illustrated in this story ?
Answer:
We can contribute by saying no to taking or giving dowry. We must not discriminate
between a boy and a girl. Both should be given equal rights and opportunities to
grow. We must also learn to respect those who are differently abled and treat them
at par.

Question 2.
Should girls be aware of their rights and assert them? Should girls and boys have the
same rights, duties and privileges? What are some of the ways in which society
treats them differently? When we speak of ‘Human rights’, do we differentiate
between girl’s rights and boy’s rights?
Answer:
Yes, there is a differentiation between girl’s and boy’s rights. Although equal in the
eyes of law, society treats them differently. Parents spend more on a boy’s education
than that of a girl. A girl is just trained to be a wife and mother. Boys have special
privileges in matters of food, career or freedom. Girl’s must be aware of their rights
to exercise them. They must utilise their education to preserve their self – reliance
and dignity. They must be ready to demand their due and even fight for it.

uestion 1.
“Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like anyone else.” These
words of encouragement from the teacher highlight that change of social attitude
and encouragement can help a child like Bholi to become confident and face the
world bravely. With reference . to the story ‘Bholi’ write how the social attitude
towards Bholi made her an introvert. What should be done to help such children to
face the world bravely?
Answer:
Bholi was neglected by her parents on account of her looks and lack of intelligence.
She used to stammer so the other children made fun of her and mimicked her. As a
result she talked very little. It was a daunting task for the teacher to encourage Bholi.
The teacher talked to her affectionately and friendly. She assured her if she put the
fear out of her heart and she would be able to speak like anyone else.
Through the efforts of years Bholi became a transferred personality. She refused to
marry a greedy man who was trying to exploit her father due to her looks. Such
children should be constantly encouraged by the parents, teachers and even by the
other relations. They must be taught to fight back their handicaps rather to accept it
as fact

Question 2.
What social attitudes are presented in the story, ‘Bholi’? How does Bholi’s teacher
help her overcome these barriers?
OR
God created this world but teachers create human beings. How does Bholi’s teacher
succeed in changing the course of her life?
Answer:
Bholi was neglected by her parents on account of her looks and lack of intelligence.
She was sent to school as her mother thought her to be a burden and let the
teachers at school worry about her. Ironically, the teachers transformed her life
completely. God created this world but teachers create human beings.

Bholi did not know what exactly a school was and what happened there, in the class
when her teacher asked her name, she stammered and began to cry. She kept her
head down throughout the class. The teacher was very encouraging and friendly to
her and this made her gain confidence to speak.

She started seeing a ray of hope for a new life. After years of gaining education and
with the help of her teacher, Bholi turned into a confident girl. She no longer
stammered and could speak properly. She even had the courage to refuse marrying
the lame old man because he was greedy and asked money from her father to marry
her.

Question 3.
“Don’t you worry, Pitajil In your old age I will serve you and mother”. Through this
statement the narrator wants to highlight the moral values Bholi imbibed with. Based
on the reading of the lesson, what made Bholi aware of her rights and how did she
use them?
Answer:
Bholi became an introvert child who lacked confidence. She was neglected and even
made fun of due to her appearance and lack of intelligence. Years of education
made her bold and confident. She got an aim in her life. When she refused to marry
greedy Bishamber, her father became worried. She assured her father not to worry
and promised that she would take care of him and her mother in their old age.
She told that she would teach in the school where she learnt so much. During her
education Bholi’s teacher made her aware of her rights as well as duties. She faced
the challenge of rejecting greedy Bishamber with determination and confidence.
Thus she protected her self-respect and integrity.

uestion 4.
Education is always a great asset in the life of a woman. How did Bholi, an educated
girl free the challenge posed by Bishamber’s greed?
OR
School education turned Bholi from a dumb cow into a bold girl. How did she save
her father from a huge expense and become his support in his old age?
Answer:
Ironically, Bholi was sent to school as her mother believed she was a burden and let
the teachers at the school worry for her. The teacher showed affection and
encouraged her to shed her fear. She was assured by her teacher that she would
speak like others one day.

Years of hard work transformed Bholi into a bold and confident young woman.
Bishamber refused to marry Bholi due to her appearance and demanded five
thousand rupees. Bholi saw how her father was humiliated for no reason. She
refused to marry a greedy, mean and contemptible coward. She assured her father
that she would serve him and her mother in their old age. She had a mission in her
life; she would spread the light of education in her village.

Question 5.

Write a character sketch of Sulekha.

OR
On the basis of your understanding of the story, sketch the character of Bholi.
OR
Write a character sketch of Bholi.
“Bholi’s whole personality underwent a complete transformation towards the end of
the story”. Explain.
Answer:
Bholi’s real name was Sulekha but she was called Bholi, the simpleton as she was a
backward child. She started speaking only when she turned five but she stammered
when she spoke and as a result she was always mimicked or made fun of by the
other children. Therefore, Bholi talked very little.

Bholi did not know what exactly a school was and what happened there, in the class
when her teacher asked her name, she stammered and began to cry. She kept her
head down throughout the class. The teacher was very encouraging and friendly to
her and this made her gain confidence to speak. She started seeing a ray of hope for
a new life.

After years of gaining education and with the help of her teacher, Bholi turned into a
confident girl. She no longer stammered and could speak properly. She even had the
courage to refuse marrying the lame old man because he was greedy and asked
money from her father to marry her. On seeing her father worried about her marriage,
she said that he need not worry as she would teach in the same school where
sheearnt so much and would take care of him and her mother in their old age.

Question 6.
“Dowry is a negation of the girl’s dignity”. Explain this statement in the light of the
story of ‘Bholi’.
Answer:
Initially Bishamber did not demand dowry to get married to Bholi. He was a widower,
having children and of the age of Ramlal. But during the marriage ceremony he
happened to see the face of Bholi. He bargains if he was given five thousand rupees
he will marry the girl. Bholi’s father Ramlal placed his turban at his feet but he
refused.

A girl is considered a liability in her own natal home due to prevalence of the custom
of dowry practice. Some parents are unwilling to give higher education to their
daughter as they have to search for ‘ highly educated boy for marriages and a better
educated boy will demand more dowry which creates unnecessary problefn, for
parents.

Besides, the boy who receives huge amount of dowry may think of himself as more
dignified as having a higher status, greater prestige and more respectful than the girl.
Subsequently the girl develops inferiority complex. Fortunately, Bholi refuses to
marry greedy Bishamber and decides to serve her parents instead in their old age. ‘

Question 7.
How did the teacher encourage Bholi on her first day in school?
OR
On the basis of your understanding of the story, describe the role played by the
teacher in the life of Bholi.
OR
What values did the teacher display in transforming Bholi into a confident girl?
Answer:
Bholi was neglected by her parents on account of her looks and lack of intelligence.
She was sent to school as her mother thought her to be a burden and let the teacher
at school worry about her. The teacher in the school asked her to tell her name. She
stammered -and began to cry.

The teacher showed her affection and encouraged her in a friendly manner to put
aside her fear. Bholi somehow told her name. The teacher assured her that she
would be able £o speak like everyone else one day. Bholi was surprised. The teacher
asked her to come to school regularly. Love and encouragement shown by the
teacher brought out drastic changes in Bholi’s personality. Within a few years she
became so confident that she refused to marry a greedy man.

Question 8.
‘Love and encouragement make the impossible possible. Explain this statement on
the basis of the story ‘Bholi’.
Answer:
Bholi was sent to school as her mother thought her to be a burden. She was
neglected by her parents as she was not beautiful and lacked intelligence. The
teacher in the school asked her to tell her name. She stammered and began to cry.
The teacher showed her affection and encouraged her in a friendly manner to put
aside her fear.

Bholi somehow told her name. Bholi was surprised. The teacher asked her to come
to school regularly. Love and encouragement shown by the teacher brought out
drastic changes in Bholi’s personality. Within a few years she became so confident
that she refused to marry a greedy man.

Question 9.
No one is always foolish. Time and circumstances give us intelligence and change
out. personality. Explain with reference to ‘Bholi’.
Answer:
Yes, it is quite right that no one is always foolish. Time decides everything. Our
maturity and knowledge depend on our experience. Experience is always based on
circumstances. Time and experiences teach us different things and make life
perfect.

With out experience or practical knowledge all bookish knowledge is in vain. It is

never used. There are many such examples in our real life that prove this statement
correct. Here I would like to share my own experience about a very simple doctor.

He started his practice very slow in a poor area. Many famous doctors made fun of
him. Time passed and gradually he became famous in the neighbouring areas. His
treatment was not so costly. Once a very serious accident occurred near his hospital
and the people brought the injured person to a costly hospital.
But his condition was very serious and the doctor refused to admit him. Then that
doctor took the case and tried his best to save him. At last he succeeded. All were
surprised to see and listen to it.

Question 10.
Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the
marriage? What does this tell us about her?
Answer:
This is a normal practice in India that girls seldom oppose their parent’s choice for a
groom. The upbringing of daughters does a kind of mental conditioning which
doesn’t give them enough courage to rebel against their parent’s wish. Bholi more or
less followed the tradition of being an ideal Indian girl ,and agreed to an unequal
match because her mother felt she was lucky to get a well-to-do groom who owned a
big shop, had a house of his own and had several thousands in the bank. Moreover,
he was not asking for any dowry.

Bholi also heard her mother saying that he did not know about her pox-marks and her
lack of sense. If the proposal was not accepted, she might remain unmarried all her
life. Later on when the groom bared his greed to everyone, it repulsed Bholi and she
opposed the marriage. Unlike her sisters, Bholi is educated and has a mind of her
own. She is as independent as any other modern girl of a big city.

On seeing her father pleading and getting humiliated, she decided not to marry him.
This tells us that she loves and respects her parents, has self respect and knows
what is right or wrong and is able to take a wise decision.

Question 6.
What filled Bholi’, a dumb cow, with a new hope in her? [CBSE 2015]
Answer:
Bholi’s first day of school brought a hope of a new life. She had found a loving
and kind teacher. The teacher had inspired her and given her a book and had
made Bholi feel confident about herself.

Question 14.

What kind of mother was Randal’s wife? [CBSE 2014]

Answer:

Ramlal’s wife was a traditional housewifewho 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 2.
Bholi chose a dignified life of service rather than surrendering herself to a
greedy old man for the rest of her life. Education provides the required
stimulus to overcome one’s personal barriers. Explain the role of education in
shaping the life of a child with respect to the lesson ‘Bholi’. [CBSE 2012]
Answer:
Education is the answer to all social ills. Illiteracy and ignorance bring nothing
but poverty, suffering and misery. Bholi lacks confidence initially because of
her disabilities. She is silent, timid and weak in mind. Her ugliness and her
stammer do not let her progress. She is afraid to speak as others make fun of
her.
School changes her life completely. It opens a new world of hope for her. Her
teacher treats her with love and kindness. Her affection and support help Bholi
to have faith in herself. She studies and grows into a confident young woman.
She knows her rights and she asserts them as well. She refuses to marry a man
who demands dowry. Thus, being educated changes the life of Bholi. uestion
3.
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.
uestion 4.
Bholi is a child different from others. This difference makes her an object of
neglect and laughter. Elaborate.
Answer:
Society does not tolerate difference very easily. Bholi is not like others. She is
slow for her age. She stammers when she speaks. Small pox leaves her all
covered with pock-marks. As a result, she has to suffer a lot.
Her parents do not even bathe her. She is ignored and neglected. They take
her only as a burden. People laugh at her. Children imitate her when she
speaks. So, she remains silent most of the time. She has no confidence or self
esteem.
Society must realise that it must accept those who are ” different. They must
be treated with the same love and respect as others.
uestion 5.
“Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like anyone
else”. These words of encouragement from the teacher highlight that change
of social attitude and encouragement can help a child like Bholi to become
confident and face the world bravely. Taking help from the lesson ‘Bholi’ write
how the social attitude towards Bholi made her an introvert. What should be
done to help such children to face the world bravely?
Answer:
Bholi suffered a weak mind due to her accident (falling from her cot) during
her infancy. She also started to a stammer while speaking. Then she became
ugly due to pock-marks on her face and body on contracting the smallpox
disease. All these made her family and other children treat her badly, resulting
in her becoming an introvert. To help such children face the world bravely, we
must treat them with love and affection and encourage them to join
mainstream society. We must not mock their disabilities; instead we should
give them hope that they can be as good as the other children by motivating
and uplifting them

Question 1.
Why was Sulekha nicknamed Bholi?
Answer:
Sulekha was nicknamed Bholi because she was a simpleton. She was mentally slow
and anybody could befool her.

Question 2.
Why did Sulekha start stammering?
Answer:
Sulekha was a baby when she fell down from a cot. Her brain was damaged. She
could not speak till the age of five years. She was mentally slow and lacked
confidence. That is why she started stammering.

Question 3.
Why was Ramlal worried about Bholi and not about his other children?
Answer:
All other children of Ramlal were healthy and good looking. Bholi was the only girl
who was neither intelligent nor good looking. She was a simpleton, she stammered
also. Ramlal was extremely worried about her future.