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CBSE
CLASS 10 ENGLISH
FOOTPRINTS WITHOUT FEETπ£
CHAPTER 9: BHOLIπ§
SUMMARY
➤Summary:
The chapter revolves around Bholi, a simple and innocent girl from a small village in India. Bholi was born with a hunchback, which made her the subject of mockery and ridicule by her family and the villagers. She was constantly reminded of her physical deformity and grew up believing that she was stupid. Bholi's parents try to marry her off to a man from a neighboring village, but the prospective groom's family rejects her due to her appearance.
One day, a city doctor named Mr. Gupta visits Bholi's village. He comes to educate the villagers about hygiene and cleanliness. Bholi is fascinated by his presence and attends his class. Mr. Gupta notices Bholi's interest and intelligence and encourages her to continue her studies.
Bholi's transformation begins as she starts attending school. With the support of her teacher and classmates, she gains confidence and slowly sheds the belief that she is dumb. Eventually, Bholi becomes an active participant in class and learns to stand up against injustice.
➤Key Points:
1. Bholi is a young girl with a hunchback who faces discrimination and ridicule due to her appearance.
2. Bholi's parents try to arrange her marriage, but the prospective groom's family rejects her due to her physical deformity.
3. Mr. Gupta, a city doctor, visits Bholi's village to educate the villagers about hygiene and cleanliness.
4. Bholi attends Mr. Gupta's class and develops an interest in learning.
5. Bholi starts attending school, gains confidence, and sheds her belief that she is dumb.
6. With the support of her teacher and classmates, Bholi learns to stand up against injustice.
π¨Character Analysis:
1. Bholi: The protagonist of the story, Bholi is a young girl with a hunchback. She is initially portrayed as naive and lacking confidence due to constant mockery. However, she undergoes a transformation and becomes a confident and empowered individual.
2. Bholi's Parents: They are depicted as unsupportive and embarrassed by Bholi's appearance. They try to marry her off without considering her feelings or aspirations.
3. Mr. Gupta: A city doctor, Mr. Gupta plays a pivotal role in Bholi's life. He recognizes her intelligence and encourages her to pursue education. He becomes a mentor figure for Bholi.
=❯Important Quotes:
1. "Don't laugh at her. She is a good girl, clever too. If she were a bit more educated, she would do wonders." - Mr. Gupta
2. "I was born with this hunch, mother. Do I deserve to be laughed at and made fun of?" - Bholi
=❯Themes:
1. Discrimination and Prejudice: The story highlights how Bholi faces discrimination and ridicule due to her physical appearance.
2. Education and Empowerment: The transformative power of education is showcased through Bholi's journey from a timid girl to a confident individual.
3. Self-Acceptance and Confidence: Bholi learns to accept herself and gains confidence despite her physical deformity.
=❯Word meanings:
1. Hunchback: A person with an abnormal outward curvature of the upper spine.
2. Prejudice: Preconceived opinion or judgment formed without sufficient knowledge or reason.
3. Ridicule: The act of making fun of or mocking someone.
=❯FAQ WITH SOLUTIONS
Q1. Why is Bholi ridiculed by her family and villagers?
ANSWER: Bholi is ridiculed because she was born with a hunchback, which is considered physically unattractive and abnormal in her society.
Q2. What role does Mr. Gupta play in Bholi's life?
ANSWER: Mr. Gupta, a city doctor, recognizes Bholi's intelligence and encourages her to pursue education. He becomes a mentor figure for her.
Q3. How does Bholi's transformation begin?
ANSWER: Bholi's transformation begins when she attends Mr. Gupta's class and develops an interest in learning.
Q4. How does Bholi gain confidence?
ANSWER: With the support of her teacher and classmates, Bholi gains confidence through education and gradually sheds her belief that she is dumb.
Q5. Why does Bholi's prospective groom's family reject her?
ANSWER: Bholi's prospective groom's family rejects her because of her physical appearance and hunchback.
Q6. What themes are explored in the chapter "Bholi"?
ANSWER: The themes explored in the chapter include discrimination and prejudice, education and empowerment, and self-acceptance and confidence.
Q7. How does Bholi learn to stand up against injustice?
ANSWER: Bholi learns to stand up against injustice through her education and the support of her teacher and classmates.
Q8. What is the significance of Bholi's education in the story?
ANSWER: Bholi's education symbolizes her empowerment and transformation from a marginalized individual to a confident and empowered person.
Q9. How does Bholi's perception of herself change throughout the story?
ANSWER: Initially, Bholi believes she is dumb and is constantly reminded of her physical deformity. However, through education and support, she gains confidence and sheds her self-doubt.
Q10. What is the moral of the story "Bholi"?
ANSWER: The moral of the story is that education and self-acceptance can empower individuals to overcome discrimination and prejudice.
⭐These FAQs should help you understand the chapter and its various aspects in more detail.
