Questions and answers of the lesson “Bholi” from The Class 10 NCERT English Book, ‘Footprints Without Feet’. Click here for Notes on this lesson ‘Bholi’.
Intext-question and Answers (Bholi)
READ AND FIND OUT
(Page 47)
1. Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?
Ans: Bholi’s father is worried because she is neither beautiful nor smart, and he fears no one will marry her.
2. For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?
Ans: Bholi is sent to school because her parents think she is unlikely to get married due to her looks and intelligence, so there’s nothing to lose.
(Page 48)
Q.1. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?
Ans: At first, Bholi is scared, but later she feels hopeful when her kind teacher encourages her.
Q.2. Does she find her teacher different from the people at home?
Ans: Yes, Bholi finds her teacher kind and caring, unlike the people at home who neglect her.
(Page 51)
Q.1. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?
Ans: They accept the proposal because Bishamber is rich and does not ask for a dowry initially, even though he is old and limps.
Q.2. Why does the marriage not take place?
Ans: The marriage doesn’t take place because Bishamber demands a dowry of 5,000 rupees after seeing Bholi’s pockmarks, and Bholi refuses to marry such a greedy man.
Q&A – Chapter-end Exercises (Bholi)
Think about it
Q.1. Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?
Ans: Bholi was initially scared of going to school, associating it with the treatment she received at home, where she was neglected and mistreated due to her stammer and appearance. However, for the first time, she was given clean clothes, bathed, and her hair was properly combed. This was unusual for her because she usually wore old clothes handed down from her sisters. These small acts of care made her feel special and gave her hope that she was going to a place better than her home. The clean dress and attention made her feel valued, and she began to see school as a welcoming place.
Q.2. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?
Ans: Bholi’s teacher was kind, patient, and encouraging, unlike anyone Bholi had encountered before. She didn’t mock Bholi for her stammer but instead reassured her, helping her speak without fear. The teacher gave Bholi confidence and encouraged her to study and learn. Over time, with her support, Bholi overcame her insecurities and gained self-respect. The teacher made her realize that education could give her the power to change her life and become independent, leading to Bholi’s bold decision to reject an unfair marriage proposal.
Q.3. Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her?
Ans: Bholi initially agreed to marry Bishamber, an older, lame man, because she wanted to uphold her family’s honor and believed she had little chance of finding a better match due to her appearance and speech problems. However, she rejected the marriage when Bishamber demanded a dowry upon seeing her pockmarked face. Bholi realized that he was a greedy, heartless man and stood up for her dignity. This shows that Bholi had gained confidence and self-worth through education, and she was no longer the timid, fearful girl she once was. She valued respect and self-esteem over social customs.
Q.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?
Ans: Bholi is called Sulekha at the end of the story because this marks her transformation. Throughout the story, she was called Bholi, which means simpleton, reflecting her earlier helplessness, lack of confidence, and low self-esteem. By the end, after rejecting the dowry-seeking groom and standing up for herself, she has become a mature, self-respecting woman. The use of her real name, Sulekha, signifies this transformation from a timid girl to a confident and independent individual who can now shape her own destiny.
Q.5. Bholi’s story must have moved you. Do you think girl children are not treated at par with boys? You are aware that the government has introduced a scheme to save the girl child as the sex ratio is declining. The scheme is called Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Save the Girl Child. Read about the scheme and design a poster in groups of four and display on the school notice board.
Ans: Bholi’s story highlights the unequal treatment of girls, especially in terms of education and marriage. Many girls face discrimination, just like Bholi, where their future is often considered secondary to that of boys. The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme aims to address this by promoting the education and survival of the girl child. You can design a poster focusing on key messages such as “Save the Girl Child,” “Educate and Empower Girls,” and “Equal Rights for Girls and Boys.” Include visuals like a happy girl in school, balanced gender symbols, and slogans that emphasize equality and education for girls.
Talk about it
Q.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?
Ans: We can contribute to changing social attitudes by promoting equality and education for all, especially for girls. Encouraging girls to pursue education, boosting their confidence, and standing up against gender discrimination are crucial steps. Speaking up against social practices like dowry and unequal treatment in families can also help. Being aware of and teaching others about gender equality and empowering girls to recognize their worth can bring about social change. Additionally, supporting government initiatives like “Beti Bachao Beti Padhao” can help shift attitudes and ensure equal opportunities for girls and boys.
Q.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 girls’ rights and boys’ rights?
Ans: Yes, girls should be fully aware of their rights and assert them. Girls and boys should have the same rights, duties, and privileges, as both are equal. However, society often treats them differently. For instance, girls might face restrictions in education or career choices, while boys are given more freedom. In some cultures, girls are married off early or burdened with household responsibilities more than boys. When we talk about “human rights,” it refers to the equal rights of all people, without differentiating between girls’ and boys’ rights. Both should have equal access to education, health, and opportunities.
Q.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.)
Ans: The characters in the story were not speaking to each other in English. From the names of the characters like Bholi, Bishamber, Ramlal, and the use of words like “tehsildar” and “pitaji,” it is clear that the story is set in a rural Indian setting. The language spoken by the characters would most likely be Hindi or a regional Indian language. The cultural context, the names, and the non-English words used indicate that English was not the primary language of communication in the story.
