Class 10 English Notes Chapter 9 (Bholi) – Foot Prints Without Feet Supp. Reader Book

Alright students, let's delve into Chapter 9, 'Bholi', from our supplementary reader, 'Footprints Without Feet'. This is a significant chapter, not just for your board exams but also because it touches upon important social themes often relevant for competitive exams. Pay close attention to the character development and the underlying messages.

Chapter 9: Bholi - Detailed Notes for Exam Preparation

Author: K.A. Abbas (Khwaja Ahmad Abbas) - Known for his socially relevant themes.

Introduction:
The story 'Bholi' narrates the journey of a simple, neglected village girl who transforms into a confident and assertive young woman due to the power of education and the kindness of her teacher. It highlights crucial social issues like gender discrimination, the dowry system, and the importance of education for empowering girls.

Character Sketch: Bholi (Real Name: Sulekha)

1. Early Life & Challenges:

   • Meaning of Name: 'Bholi' means 'simpleton' or 'naive'. Her real name, 'Sulekha', means 'one with beautiful letters', which becomes significant later.
   • Physical Setbacks: Fell off a cot at ten months, damaging part of her brain, making her a slow learner. Contracted smallpox at two years, leaving permanent pockmarks on her face.
   • Speech Impediment: Developed a stammer, further isolating her and making her an object of ridicule.
   • Family Attitude: Neglected by her parents (Ramlal and his wife). Considered ugly, dull, and a burden. Her parents worried about her marriage prospects. She wore old clothes passed down from her sisters.

2. Turning Point: Going to School:

   • Reason: The Tehsildar visited the village to inaugurate a primary school for girls and urged Ramlal, as the village Numberdar (revenue official), to set an example by sending his daughters.
   • Parents' Reluctance: Her mother believed sending girls to school would make it harder to marry them off. They decided to send Bholi mainly because they felt there was little chance of her getting married anyway due to her looks and lack of sense.
   • Bholi's Fear & Hope: Initially terrified of being sent away. However, getting cleaned up, oiling her hair, and receiving a clean (though old) dress filled her with a sense of hope for a better place.

3. The Impact of Education & the Teacher:

   • First Day: Overwhelmed and scared, sat in a corner. Impressed by the colourful pictures on the wall.
   • The Teacher's Role: Crucial catalyst for change. She was kind, gentle, and encouraging. She didn't laugh at Bholi's stammer and motivated her to speak.
   • Gaining Confidence: The teacher's affection and encouragement ("Put the fear out of your heart and you will be able to speak like anyone else") gave Bholi new hope. Learning to read and write opened up a new world for her. School became a place of acceptance and learning.
   • Transformation: Over the years, Bholi became more knowledgeable and aware, though she still spoke little at home. Education instilled self-respect and dignity.

4. The Marriage Proposal:

   • The Groom: Bishamber Nath, a well-to-do grocer, around 45-50 years old, a widower with grown-up children, and limped.
   • Parents' Acceptance: Ramlal and his wife were overjoyed, overlooking Bishamber's age and physical disability because he was wealthy and didn't demand dowry initially. They saw it as the best possible match for Bholi.
   • Bholi's Silence: Bholi observed the proceedings, perhaps silently accepting her fate initially as expected of girls then.

5. The Climax: Finding Her Voice:

   • The Dowry Demand: During the wedding ceremony, Bishamber saw Bholi's pockmarked face when the veil slipped. He humiliatingly demanded a dowry of five thousand rupees from Ramlal to proceed with the marriage.
   • Ramlal's Humiliation: Ramlal pleaded and placed his turban at Bishamber's feet, but Bishamber remained adamant and greedy.
   • Bholi's Refusal: In a moment of profound courage and self-respect, Bholi loudly and clearly (without stammering) refused to marry the "mean, greedy and contemptible coward." She asserted her dignity over societal pressure and parental desperation.
   • Assertion of Independence: She declared she would not marry this man and decided instead to serve her parents in their old age and teach in the same school where she had learned so much.

6. Conclusion:

   • Bholi, the 'simpleton', proved to be wise and courageous. Her education gave her the strength to stand up against social evils.
   • Her teacher, watching silently, felt deep satisfaction, like an artist contemplating a completed masterpiece.
   • Sulekha truly lived up to her real name through the power of education.

Other Key Characters:

• Ramlal: Bholi's father. A government official (Numberdar) but bound by traditional societal norms and patriarchal mindset. Cares for social standing but is ultimately weak-willed against societal pressure (dowry). Shows some concern for Bholi but prioritizes getting her married off.
• Bholi's Mother: Represents orthodox thinking and gender bias. Unsympathetic towards Bholi, considers her ugly and witless. More concerned with marrying off her daughters than their education or well-being. Practical and materialistic.
• The Teacher: Symbol of hope, kindness, and the transformative power of education. Her empathy and encouragement were pivotal in Bholi's development.
• Bishamber Nath: The antagonist. Represents greed, male chauvinism, and the exploitative nature of the dowry system. He is insensitive, disrespectful, and materialistic.

Themes:

• Importance of Education: Education is presented as a tool for empowerment, liberation, confidence building, and developing critical thinking, especially for girls.
• Social Evils: Critiques the dowry system and gender discrimination prevalent in society.
• Need for Empathy and Encouragement: Highlights how kindness and support (like the teacher's) can transform an individual's life.
• Self-Respect and Dignity: Emphasizes the importance of standing up for one's dignity against exploitation and societal pressure.
• Appearance vs. Reality: Bholi's plain appearance contrasts sharply with her inner strength and intelligence, revealed through education.
• Parental Responsibility & Societal Pressure: Shows how parents can be influenced by societal norms, sometimes neglecting their child's true well-being.

Significance of the Title:
The title 'Bholi' is ironic. While she starts as a simpleton, education transforms her into Sulekha – an intelligent, aware, and assertive individual who is anything but a 'Bholi'. Her journey redefines the name given to her.

Message:
The story strongly advocates for girls' education as a means to combat social evils and empower them to lead lives of dignity and self-respect. It encourages readers to look beyond superficial appearances and value inner worth.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. What was Bholi's real name?
   a) Sunita
   b) Sulekha
   c) Sumitra
   d) Sarita

2. Why did Bholi's parents agree to send her to school?
   a) They believed strongly in girls' education.
   b) The teacher personally requested them.
   c) The Tehsildar urged Ramlal to set an example.
   d) Bholi herself insisted on going to school.

3. What physical disability did Bholi suffer from besides pockmarks?
   a) She was deaf.
   b) She limped.
   c) She stammered.
   d) She was blind in one eye.

4. Who was Bishamber Nath?
   a) The village Tehsildar
   b) Bholi's teacher
   c) A wealthy, middle-aged grocer
   d) Ramlal's elder brother

5. What made Bishamber Nath demand a dowry of five thousand rupees?
   a) He found out Ramlal was richer than he thought.
   b) He saw Bholi's pockmarked face.
   c) His first wife's family advised him to.
   d) It was a village custom he had forgotten earlier.

6. How did Bholi react to Bishamber's demand for dowry?
   a) She started crying helplessly.
   b) She asked her father to pay the dowry.
   c) She fainted from the shock.
   d) She refused to marry him loudly and clearly.

7. What role did Bholi's teacher play in her life?
   a) She taught her household chores.
   b) She found a suitable groom for her.
   c) She gave her confidence and encouraged her education.
   d) She advised her to accept Bishamber's proposal.

8. What decision did Bholi make about her future at the end of the story?
   a) To leave the village forever.
   b) To marry someone else chosen by her parents.
   c) To serve her parents and teach at the village school.
   d) To file a complaint against Bishamber Nath.

9. The story 'Bholi' strongly advocates against which social evil?
   a) Child Labour
   b) Caste System
   c) Dowry System
   d) Untouchability

10. What was the most significant transformation seen in Bholi by the end of the story?
    a) Her pockmarks disappeared.
    b) She became wealthy.
    c) She gained self-confidence, dignity, and the courage to speak out.
    d) She learned to cook very well.

Answer Key for MCQs:

1. b) Sulekha
2. c) The Tehsildar urged Ramlal to set an example.
3. c) She stammered.
4. c) A wealthy, middle-aged grocer
5. b) He saw Bholi's pockmarked face.
6. d) She refused to marry him loudly and clearly.
7. c) She gave her confidence and encouraged her education.
8. c) To serve her parents and teach at the village school.
9. c) Dowry System
10. c) She gained self-confidence, dignity, and the courage to speak out.

Study these notes carefully, focusing on Bholi's character arc and the themes presented. Understanding these aspects will be crucial for answering any question related to this chapter in your exams. Good luck!