Abu Hamour Branch, Doha - Qatar: M.E.S Indian School

M.E.
S INDIAN
SCHOOL
ABU HAMOUR BRANCH,
DOHA –QATAR
NOTES [2024-2025]
Class & Div.: X (All Divisions) Subject: English

Lesson/Topics: Bholi Date: 06/10/2024
===================================================================================================
Ref.No.ENG-35
GLOSSARY
simpleton = fool
matted = knotted and uncombed
shrunk = dwindled
fascinated = attracted
Tehsildar = land revenue officer
scurried = rushed
stammering = stumble over one’s words
astonished = surprised
blossomed = bloomed
auspicious = lucky
considerate = kind
prospective = possible
contemplate = think about
FORM/GENRE
‘Bholi’ belongs to realistic writing, in which the writer attempts to hold mirror up to nature to
delineate real life characters and social situations. K.A.Abhas is one of the writers whose stories and
film scripts deals with socialist realism, exposing the evils of the current society. Bholi’s
transformation is also very realistic when the teacher successfully changed a diffident and shy child
into a woman of strong radical character of woman empowerment through education.
INTRODUCTION
Bholi is a story written by K.A. Abbas. The story revolves around a girl who due to an accidental fall
and disease in her childhood faces the problem of being dull and ugly. She is always a target by
everyone for not being good-looking and intelligent. Her life turns when she joins a nearby school
where her teacher encourages her and helps her to become a learned and confident person. Later
in the story, circumstances arise where Bholi has to give acceptance to the marriage with an
unequal match but rejects it when she sees her father pleading to the bridegroom when he
demands dowry. The story shows the rise of a girl against social injustice.
THEME OF THE STORY
The effect of family on children is the main theme of the story Bholi who is a little child who lacks
self-confidence as a result of her parents’ treatment of her. The narrative makes hints as to why
emotional stability and family support are crucial for a child’s healthy development. Children with
disabilities must also receive the same encouragement, love, and education
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Khwaja Ahmad Abbas was born on 7 June,1914 in Paniput. He was popularly known as K.A.Abbas.
he was an Indian film director, screenwriter , novelist and a journalist in Urdu, Hindi and English
languages. He began his career as a journalist. He produced famous movies like ‘saat Hindustani’
and ‘do Boond Pani’ of which won the National Film Award. Abbas wrote the screenplays of some
of Raj Kapoor’s best films such as Awaara, Shri 420, Mera Naam Joker, and Bobby. He was born in
Panipat on June 7th 1914 and died on June1st 1987 at 72 years old.
MAIN POINTS
1. Bholi was the youngest daughter of Ramlal.

2. She damaged a part of her brain when she fell off from her cot just when she was ten months
old.
3. When she was two years old, she had an attack of smallpox.
4. A fair and pretty child was disfigured with pock-marks.
5. Bholi was thought to be a simpleton and a backward child who stammered while speaking.
6. All other daughters of Ramlal were good looking and healthy.
7. Ramlal was worried about Bholi as she had neither good looks nor intelligence.
8. The `Tehsildar’ inaugurated a primary school for girls in the village.
9. He asked `Numberdar’ Ramlal to set an example before the villagers by sending all his daughters
to school.
10. Ramlal couldn’t disobey the Tehsildar and it was decided to send Bholi to school.
11. Bholi was bathed, oil was rubbed into her matted hair and she was given a clean dress that no
more fitted Champa.
12. Then Bholi started to think that school was a better place than home.
13. At school, Bholi was pleased to see so many girls of her age and hoped to befriend one of them.
14. The teacher asked her name but she couldn’t pronounce it.
15. Bholi was ashamed that even after so many efforts, she couldn’t pronounce her name.
16. The teacher was very friendly and sympathetic and encouraged her to try again.
17. At last, Bholi succeeded in saying Th-Bh-Bho-Bholi” and the teacher patted her for her success.
18. The teacher assured her that very soon she would start speaking like all others, without
stammering.
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19. She gave a picture book to Bholi and hoped that she would finish it within a month.
20. The teacher encouraged and assured Bholi that she would be the most learned girl in the whole
village.
21. An offer for marriage came from a prosperous grocer, Bishamber, for Bholi.
22. The bridegroom was rich, had his own house and thousands of rupees in the bank.
23. The bridegroom was almost of the same age as of her father and he limped. He had also grown-
up children from his first wife.
24. Bholi reluctantly agreed for marriage just to keep the ‘honour’ of her family.
25. On the wedding day, Bishamber came with a large party of friends and relatives.
26. When Bishamber was ready to garland Bholi, he happened to see her face suddenly.
27. He cried that he would not many a girl with pock-marks.
28. Ramlal put his turban at his feet, but he was not moved.
29. At last, he agreed to marry Bholi, if her father gave him 5000 rupees as dowry.
30. In the end, Ramlal went inside and came out with a bundle of notes and put it at the feet of the
bridegroom.
31. When Bishamber was about to garland Bholi, she snatched the garland and threw it away into
the fire.
32. She spoke that she would not many a mean, greedy and a coward like Bishamber.
33. Everyone including her parents was stunned to hear Bholi speaking all this without stammering.
34. Ramlal called her crazy and asked what she would do as no one would ever marry her.
35. Bholi replied that she would serve her parents in their old age and teach in the same school from
where she had learnt so much.
Think about it (page 62)
Question 1.
Bholi had many apprehensions about going to school. What made her feel that she was going to a
better place than her home?
Answer:
The day she was going to school forced her parents to dress her nicely. She was bathed and her hair
was properly done. Until then she was not being taken care of. The special treatment she received
made her feel that she was going to a better place.
Question 2.
How did Bholi’s teacher play an important role in changing the course of her life?
Answer:
Bholi stammered and was just a bundle of nerves when she attended school in the beginning. Her
teacher treated her kindly and encouraged her to have confidence and be bold. She taught her to
read and write and made her an independent girl who was aware of her rights. Thus, she changed
her life.
Question 3.
Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage. What does
this tell about her?
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Answer:
Bholi agreed to the match at first to fulfil her parents’ wishes. Later on, she rejected the marriage
when the bridegroom asked for dowry. This tells us that Bholi was not a timid – and dumb girl. She
was aware of her rights. She also knew how to fight for her own dignity and feared no one.
Question 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?
Answer:
The word Bholi means a simpleton. Throughout the story she had been a simpleton who hardly
expressed her opinion on any matter. The word Sulekha means ‘a person with a beautiful sense of
letters’. In this story this word has a larger meaning of being a literate,_ intelligent and mature
individual. After her education, Bholi has really changed to Sulekha and her assertion at the time of
her marriage is her announcement to the world that she is no more a Bholi, but is a Sulekha.
Talk About It (Page 62)

Question 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?
Answer:
We can contribute by saying no to taking or giving dowry. We must not discriminate between a boy
and a girl. Both should be given equal rights and opportunities to grow. We must also learn to
respect those who are differently abled and treat them at par.
Question 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 girl’s rights and boy’s rights?
Answer:
Yes, there is a differentiation between girl’s and boy’s rights. Although equal in the eyes of law,
society treats them differently. Parents spend more on a boy’s education than that of a girl. A girl is
just trained to be a wife and mother. Boys have special privileges in matters of food, career or
freedom. Girl’s must be aware of their rights to exercise them. They must utilize their education to
preserve their self – reliance and dignity. They must be ready to demand their due and even fight
for it.
Question 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.)
Answer:
No, we do not think so. They spoke in Hindi. Several words like ‘numberdar, tehsildar sahib, izzat
and pitaji’ are proofs of that. Even the names of characters like ‘Ramlal’ and ‘Bholi’ support that.
***************
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M.E.

Class & Div.: X (All Divisions) Subject: English

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

1. Bholi was the youngest daughter of Ramlal.

ACD-105, REV 0, 27.03.2021

Talk About It (Page 62)

ACD-105, REV 0, 27.03.2021

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