by Bhagya
Read and Find Out
(Page 54)
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.
More Resources for CBSE Class 10
- NCERT Solutions
- NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Science
- NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Maths
- NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social
- NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English
- NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Hindi
- NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Sanskrit
- NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Foundation of IT
- RD Sharma Class 10 Solutions
Page 55
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.
Page 58
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.
Think About It (Page 62)
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.
Question 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.
Talk About It (Page 62)
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.
Question 3.
Do you think the characters in the story were speaking to each other in English? If not, in which language were they speaking? (you can get clues from the names of the persons and the non-English words used in the story.)
Answer:
No, we do not think so. They spoke in Hindi. Several words like ‘numbsrdar, tehsildar sahib, izzat and pitaji’ are ample proof of that. Even the names of characters like ‘Randal’ and ‘Bholi’ support that.
As a seasoned literature and education enthusiast, I find great joy in dissecting the nuances of stories, especially those with cultural and societal implications. The article in question, penned by Bhagya, touches upon a compelling narrative that explores the transformation of a character named Bholi. Now, let's delve into the various concepts embedded in the text.
1. Bholi's Background and Parental Concerns:
- Bholi, unlike other children, faced developmental challenges due to a childhood accident resulting in brain damage.
- Her delayed speech and stammering, coupled with pockmarks on her face and body, heightened her father's concerns about her marriage prospects.
2. Bholi's Unusual Schooling Motivation:
- Bholi was sent to school not for conventional reasons but to fulfill the Tehsildar's directive, as Ramlal, her father, was a government official.
- Despite societal reservations about educating girls, Bholi's parents saw this as an opportunity to please the Tehsildar since Bholi's marriage prospects were already perceived as unfavorable.
3. Bholi's Initial School Experience:
- Bholi's first day at school was marked by fear and tears, but she found solace in the beauty of classroom images.
- The teacher's gentle and loving demeanor gradually transformed her initial reluctance into a positive outlook, and by the end of the day, she looked forward to her new life.
4. Contrasting Treatment at Home and School:
- Bholi, a neglected child at home, experienced criticism and mockery, while her teacher provided a stark contrast by treating her kindly and encouraging her without judgment.
5. Marriage Proposal and Dowry Issue:
- Bholi's parents accepted Bishamber's proposal due to his financial stability and the absence of dowry demands.
- However, at the time of marriage, Bishamber demanded a dowry upon seeing Bholi's appearance, leading to her refusal and the marriage being called off.
6. Bholi's Personal Transformation:
- Bholi's day-to-day treatment at school and her teacher's encouragement played a pivotal role in transforming her from a timid and stammering girl to an independent and confident individual.
7. Bholi's Assertion of Rights:
- Bholi initially agreed to an unequal match to fulfill her parents' wishes but later rejected the marriage when faced with dowry demands, showcasing her awareness of rights and dignity.
8. Symbolism in Bholi's Name Change:
- The author strategically uses the name "Sulekha" to signify Bholi's evolution from a simpleton (Bholi) to a literate, intelligent, and mature individual after her education.
9. Social Attitudes and Changing Perspectives:
- The narrative highlights social barriers, and Bholi's story prompts readers to reflect on changing societal attitudes, especially towards issues like dowry.
10. Gender Equality and Rights Awareness:
- The text encourages readers to contemplate the importance of gender equality, rights awareness, and the need for girls to assert their rights.
11. Language and Cultural Context:
- The story is set in a cultural context where Hindi is the primary language, evident from terms like 'numbsrdar,' 'tehsildar sahib,' 'izzat,' and 'pitaji,' as well as character names like 'Randal' and 'Bholi.'
This comprehensive analysis demonstrates the rich layers of societal, cultural, and personal themes woven into Bhagya's narrative, making it a thought-provoking exploration of human resilience and societal norms.
