A Bitterly Cold Night by Premchand

Class 7 - English - New Learning to Communicate - Literary Reader

Let’s infer

Question 1. Were Halku and Jabra fond of each other? Give a reason for your answer.

Answer:

Yes, Halku and Jabra appear to be fond of each other. Halku is concerned for Jabra's comfort and well-being and tries to find ways to protect him from the cold. He also speaks to Jabra as if he understands him, patting his back and trying to console him. Additionally, Jabra looks at Halku with eyes "overflowing with love." These actions suggest that Halku and Jabra have a close relationship.

Question 2. Why did Halku embrace Jabra even though his body stank? 

Answer:

Halku embraced Jabra despite the fact that the dog stank because he needed comfort in a difficult moment. He was cold and struggling with poverty, and his wife had just taken away the money he had saved for a blanket. Halku was feeling discouraged and defeated, and Jabra provided him with a source of comfort and love.

Question 3. Why did Halku not chase away the wild cattle eating the crop?

Answer:

Halku did not want to chase away the wild cattle because he preferred to stay warm and cozy by the fire. He was also fed up sleeping outside in the cold and allowed the cattle to destro his crop.

Question 4. Why did Halku have a look of contentment when he saw the ruined field? 

Answer:

Halku had a look of contentment when he saw the ruined field because he would not have to sleep nights out in the biting cold doing tenant farming.

Question 5. Was Halku exploited by his landlord? Give reasons in support of your answer.

Answer:

Yes Halku was exploited by his landlord. When his wife requests him to put off paying the landlort so as to buy blanket for winter, Halku told her that if not paid the landlord would threaten and insult him. His wife requests him to give up tenant faming saying that the work was killing Halku and it would never enable them to pay off their debts. All this indicate that Halku was exploited by his landlord.

Let's discuss

1. Was it fair on the part of the landlord to make Halku spend a cold night out in the open? 

Answer:

It was not fair on the part of the landlord to make Halku spend a cold night out in the open. It is unfortunate that landlords or people in position never bother about the poeple who work under them. The only thing that worries them is money and profit. Halku’s story is representative of the exploitation that is prevalent in society.

2. Since Halku was getting paid for guarding the field, he shouldn't have allowed the wild cattle to destroy the crop.

Answer:

Halku was not getting paid enough and the exploitation and suffering he was undergoing somehow compelled him to allow the wild cattle to destroy the crop. Apparently it appears incorrect that Halku allowed the wild cattle to destroy the crop but under the circumstances he did the right thing.