Bholi by KA Abbas Summary Q&A Solved

Summary of "Bholi" by K.A. Abbas

Bholi, originally named Sulekha, was the youngest daughter of Ramlal, a prosperous farmer. An injury in her childhood left her mentally slow, and smallpox disfigured her face. She also struggled with a speech defect, which led to ridicule from her peers and neglect from her family. Unlike her siblings, Bholi was considered unintelligent and unattractive, leaving her future uncertain. Her parents, worried that she might never marry, decided to send her to school as a last resort.

At first, Bholi was terrified of going to school, associating it with rejection like the family cow that was sold. However, her experience at school proved transformative. Her teacher treated her with kindness and patience, helping her build confidence and overcome her speech impediment. Over time, Bholi blossomed into a confident young woman.

Years later, Bholi’s parents arranged her marriage to Bishamber, an older man who limped and had grown children. Though initially willing to marry him, Bholi rejected the match when Bishamber demanded a dowry upon seeing her face. In a moment of strength and clarity, she stood up for herself, refusing to marry a greedy and unkind man. In the end, Bholi decided she would stay with her parents and become a schoolteacher, embracing her newfound self-worth.

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Answers to Questions

1. Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?
   
   Bholi's father was worried because she was neither beautiful nor intelligent, and he feared that she would never get married.

2. For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?
   
   Bholi was sent to school because her parents thought that due to her appearance and perceived lack of intelligence, she had little chance of finding a husband. They believed schooling might be a way to care for her since marriage was unlikely.

3. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?
   
   Initially, Bholi was scared on her first day at school, but her teacher's kindness made her feel safe and welcome. By the end of the day, she felt hopeful and excited about returning to school.

4. Does she find her teacher different from the people at home? 
   
   Yes, Bholi finds her teacher different because she is kind and supportive, unlike her neglectful family.

5. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?
   
   Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s proposal because they believed that despite his age and limp, Bholi was fortunate to marry a well-off man, especially since he initially demanded no dowry.

6. Why does the marriage not take place? 
   
   The marriage did not take place because Bishamber demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees upon seeing Bholi's pockmarked face. Bholi, realizing his greed and lack of compassion, rejected the marriage.

7. Why is Bholi called Sulekha again at the end of the story?
   
   Bholi is called Sulekha at the end of the story to signify her transformation. She had grown into a confident and independent woman, leaving behind the timid and fearful girl who was once called Bholi, meaning "simpleton."

Think About It (Q&A)

1. Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a better place than her home?
   

   
   Bholi was initially frightened of going to school because she didn't understand what school was like. However, she began to feel she was going to a better place when she was given clean clothes to wear and bathed properly, something she had never experienced before. This special treatment made her believe that school might be a place better than her home, where she had always been neglected.
   
   
2. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?
   
   
   Bholi’s teacher played a crucial role in transforming her life by showing her kindness, patience, and encouragement. The teacher helped Bholi overcome her fears and speech problems by making her feel confident and capable. She nurtured Bholi’s self-esteem and inspired her to continue her education, giving her the strength to stand up for herself later in life.
   
   
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?
   
   Bholi agreed to the unequal match with Bishamber initially out of a sense of duty to her family. She believed it was her responsibility to marry him to preserve her family's honor. However, when Bishamber demanded a dowry upon seeing her pockmarked face, she realized his greed and cruelty. She rejected the marriage, showing that she had gained the confidence to stand up for herself. This reveals her inner strength, self-respect, and newfound belief in her own worth.
   
   
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?
   
   Bholi is called Sulekha again at the end of the story to symbolize her transformation from a timid, insecure girl (Bholi, meaning "simpleton") to a confident, self-assured woman (Sulekha, her real name). The use of her real name at this point reflects her growth, maturity, and the realization of her true potential. It marks the completion of her journey from vulnerability to empowerment.

SHORT ANSWERS

1. What made Bholi feel she was going to a better place than her home?
   Bholi felt she was going to a better place because she was bathed, given clean clothes, and treated specially, unlike at home where she was neglected.
2. How did Bholi’s teacher change her life?
   Bholi’s teacher showed her kindness and encouraged her, helping her overcome her fears and stammer, building her confidence and self-respect.
3. Why did Bholi agree to the marriage and later reject it?
   Bholi agreed to the marriage out of duty but rejected it when Bishamber demanded dowry, showing she had gained self-respect and independence.
4. Why is Bholi called Sulekha at the end?
   She is called Sulekha at the end to symbolize her transformation into a confident and empowered person, shedding her old timid identity.

TALK ABOUT IT

Answer the following questions in simple and lucid language: 

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? 
   
   I can help change social attitudes by treating everyone with respect, encouraging those who are marginalized, and speaking out against discrimination.
   
   
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? 
   
   Yes, girls should know their rights and assert them. Both girls and boys should have the same rights, duties, and privileges. Society often treats them differently by limiting girls’ education and opportunities, and human rights should be the same for everyone without gender discrimination.
   
   
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.) 
   
   The characters were likely not speaking in English; they were probably speaking in Hindi or another regional language, as indicated by their names and cultural context.