Thinking about the Text:
Q. 1. For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?
Ans. When Tehsildar urges Ramlal to send his daughters to school. Ramlal's wife is against sending girls to school. However، there is no chance of Bholi getting married. She is not good-looking. And she lacks sense. So to get rid of her, the mother agrees to send her to school.
Q. 2. How does Bholi find her teacher different from other people at home?
Ans. At home, nobody cares for Bholi and her mother thinks her to be a burden. But her teacher shows great love and sympathy for her. She speaks to her softly. She fills her learn with a new hope and a new life.
Q. 3. Why do Bholi's parents accept Bishamber's marriage proposal?
Ans. Bholi's parents accept Bishamber's marriage proposal because he is quite rich. He has a big shop, a house and a lot of money. He is not atta or any dowry. And Bholi is not good-looking. She lacks sense also.
Q. 4. The ending of the story is very dramatic. Do you think Bholi's decision not to Bishambar makes her an outcast / rebellious or is it an assertion of her being an individual and a woman of substance?
Ans. First of all, Bholi did not want to bring disgrace to her family. Therefore, she agreed to marry Bishamber، who was of her father's age. At the time of marriage, Bishamber demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees so Bholi's father placed his turban at Bishamber's feet. However، Bishamber was adamant. Thus، Bholi refused to marry a man who was greedy. That was the time of Bholi, shows was a girl of great courage and confidence. She decided to serve her parents in their old age, and so proved that girls are in no way less helpful than boys to their parents.
Q.5. Bholi's real name is Sulekha. We are told this right at the beginning. But only in 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's real name is Sulekha. When she was ten months old, she fell off the cor. She on her head. Some part of her brain was damaged. It made her mentally backward. This is the reason why she was called Bholi, the simpleton. She was went to schoolÛ” Her teacher showed great love and sympathy for her. Bholi gave Bishamber a befitting treatment. She was wise, confident and self-respecting. So in the end of the story, she is referred to by her real name, Sulekha.
Q. What are the major themes of 'Bholi'?
Bholi was a mentally backward child. She stammered badly. And she had black pockmarks on her body. Her parents had little hope that anyone would marry her. They neglected her completely. Apart from this, Bholi's teacher gave her all love and affection so she said that in time, she would become the most learned person in her village. Then nobody would laugh at her. In this way, the teacher changed Bholi into a masterpiece of courage and confidence so we see this when Bholi refuses to mary a mean and greedy person like Bishamber.
Q. Describe Sulekha's early childhood. Why was she called 'Bholi' by everyone?
Ans. Sulekha was the youngest child of Ramlal. At the time, when she was ten months old, she fell off the cot. Some part of her brain was damaged. She could not grow mentally. She remained a backward child. That was why she was called Bholi. When she was two, she had an attack of smallpox. It left ugly marks on all her body. She was not able to speak till she was five. And when she learnt to speak, she stammered badly. Other children used to laugh at her. Her parents also neglected her. She was not given new and clean clothes. She was sent to school because her mother wanted to get rid of her for some time of the day at least. Therefore, we can say that Bholi's childhood was not a happy one.
