NCERT Class 10 English Chapter 8 Bholi Question Answer

NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 8: Bholi is an inspiring story in  Class 10 English syllabus that focuses on the power of education and self-respect.

The story is about Bholi, a simple and shy girl who suffers from neglect due to her appearance and speech defect. Her life changes when she goes to school, where her teacher treats her with kindness and encourages her to speak confidently. Education helps Bholi overcome fear and realize her self-worth.

This chapter in the Class 10 syllabus teaches important values such as confidence, equality, and standing up against injustice. Studying Class 10 Bholi Question Answer helps students understand the plot, character development, and moral lessons clearly.

These NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English Footprints without Feet Chapter 8 are useful for exam preparation as they explain key events and themes in a simple and effective manner.

NCERT Solutions Bholi Question Answer Class 10

Bholi Class 10 NCERT Solutions help students understand the story, characters, and key events clearly. These solutions explain Bholi’s journey from a timid girl to a confident young woman. They are useful for exam preparation, quick revision, and understanding important moral lessons in the Class 10 syllabus.

1. Why is Bholi’s father worried about her?

Bholi was not smart, not beautiful. She fractured part of her brain when she was a child after falling out of her cot. She had smallpox when she was two years old, which left marks all over her body. She also stumbled over her words, which led to people making fun of her. Because of this, Bholi's father was worried about her future and marriage.

2. For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?

To inaugurate a primary school for girls, the tehsildar went to the village of Bholi. He asked Ramlal to send his girls to school so that they may be role models for others. However, Ramlal's wife thought that no one would marry a schoolgirl. She therefore objected to the girls attending school, but Ramlal was unable to disobey the tehsildar. This led them to decide that it wouldn't matter if Bholi attended school because her physical imperfections would always be a barrier in her marriage.

3. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?

Sure enough, Bholi had a great first day of school. When Bholi got to school, she was scared. When she realized she might make some wonderful friends at school and saw other girls, she felt a little more at peace. The other girls made fun of her when the teacher asked her name and she stammered, which embarrassed her. However the teacher encouraged her to study and go to school every day to become more knowledgeable and self-assured, so she went home happy. Sure, Bholi was happy to see so many other girls her age at school and had a great first day. She was hoping one of these young women would become a friend.

4. Does she find her teacher different from the people at home?

Indeed, she perceives a notable distinction between her teacher and the people in her family. Her teacher acknowledged the issue and gave her the go-ahead to put in a lot of effort to stop stammering. She pushed her to attend school regularly and rigorously taught her.

5. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?

Bholi's parents were worried that she would be alone for the rest of her life if they rejected Bishamber's proposal. Her mother clarified that they were lucky that Bishamber didn't know Bholi's pockmarks and lack of comprehension because he didn't come from the same village. Moreover, he had not asked for a dowry. As a result, Bholi's parents agreed to accept the marriage proposal.

6. Why does the marriage not take place?

Because Bholi declined to wed Bishamber, the marriage was not consummated. The groom said he would only marry her if her father gave him a dowry of five thousand rupees after noticing that she had pockmarks on her cheeks. Ramlal begged Bishamber several times to get up from his spot, but he refused. The dowry money was then put at the groom's feet by Ramlal. Thus, just as Bishamber was about to round Bholi's neck with the garland, she whipped out her hand and the garland was flung into the fire. She declared that she would wed that man just to protect her father's honor. The groom requested a dowry, which prevented the wedding from happening.

Think About It

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 thought she was leaving her home and moving somewhere better when she started receiving attention that she had never experienced before. Bholi had never had custom clothing created. She inherited her sisters' old clothing. Nobody wanted to fix her clothes or wash them.

She did, however, receive fresh clothing before being dropped off at school. Even her dry, matted hair was oil-treated, and she received a bath. At that time, she started to think that she was being transported to a better environment than her home.

2. How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?

Bholi's life was drastically changed by her teacher. She was the one who lovingly spoke to her first. She urged her to speak her name out without hesitation.

To instill in her a desire to learn, she gave her a book. She assured her that no one could make fun of her and that eventually, she would learn more than everyone else in the town. People would pay attention to and appreciate her. This instilled new hope in Bholi.

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?

Since Bholi was lucky enough to meet a well-to-do husband who owned a large shop, had his own house, and had many thousand dollars in the bank, she first agreed to an unequal marriage. Furthermore, he did not need a dowry. Bholi also heard her mother clarify that he didn't know about her inadequacies and ignorance.

She might spend the rest of her life alone if the proposal is rejected. Eventually, she said no to the marriage as the suitor demanded a 5,000 rupee dowry. She saw his father beg and feel guilty, and she made the decision not to marry him. This shows that she is capable of making wise decisions, has self-respect, and knows what is right and wrong.

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?

The word "bholi" in Hindi means "simpleton." She had seldom spoken her opinions and had been a simpleton throughout the narrative. The word "sulekha" describes someone with a strong letter sense.

In this story, this word has a more general meaning that suggests the character is intelligent, sophisticated, and literate. Because of her education, Bholi has changed into Sulekha, and her marriage announcement is her way of officially telling the world that she is now Sulekha and no longer a Bholi.

Talk About It

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?

By ensuring that boys and girls are treated equally and are aware of their rights, we may contribute to changing the social attitudes portrayed in the story. Moreover, guarantees them fair access to employment and education. Also, by declining to give the dowry

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 how society treats them differently? When we speak of human rights, do we differentiate between girls’ rights and boys’ rights?

Indeed, young ladies have rights that they should know about and exercise. Gender equality demands equal rights, duties, and privileges for girls and boys. In rural and small towns in particular, there is a difference in the treatment of boys and females. Parents typically invest more in their sons' educations than in those of girls. Their daughters are taught the virtues of manners, composure, and handling household chores. Regarding "human rights," the legislation does not make a distinction between the rights of boys and girls. But society does indeed have this inequality.

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.)

No, the characters in the story didn't speak to each other in English. The words "pitaji," "tehsildar," "izzat," "numberdar," and other terms in the text imply that the characters in the story were conversing in Hindi.

Class 10 Bholi Summary

Bholi is an inspiring story from the Class 10 English syllabus about a timid and simple girl named Bholi. She is neglected by her family because of her dark complexion and speech defect, which makes her shy and insecure. Despite her difficulties, Bholi’s life begins to change when she goes to school, where her teacher encourages her and boosts her confidence.

Through education and guidance, Bholi transforms into a confident young woman who stands up for herself. When a marriage proposal comes from a greedy and cruel man, she refuses to marry him, asserting her self-respect. The story highlights themes of empowerment, the importance of education, and courage in facing life’s challenges, making it a valuable lesson for Class 10 students.