NCERT Solution for Class 10 English : Footprints Without Feet – Chapter 8 Bholi

NCERT solution is a great help to students. Students can check the understanding of the chapter by solving NCERT solution.

Read and Find Out

Question.1. Why is Bholi’s father worried about her ?
Answer. Bholi’s father is worried about Bholi. It is because she has neither good looks nor intelligence like his other children. He is worried that no one will marry her when she comes of the age.

Question.2. For what unusual reasons is Bholi sent to school?
Answer. Bholi is sent to school not for education. But she is sent to worry her teachers about her. Her parents don’t want her to trouble them. This is the unusual reason.

Question.3. Does Bholi enjoy her first day at school?
Answer. Bholi does not enjoy her first day at school. It is because she is fearful of everything therein.

Question.4. Does she find her teacher different from the people at home
Answer. She finds her teacher different from the people at home. She finds the teacher’s voice soft and soothing. In all her life she had never been called like that. The teacher called her by her name.

Question.5. Why do Bholi’s parents accept Bishamber’s marriage proposal?
Answer. Bholi’s parents accepted Bishamber’s marriage proposal as he was a well-to-do grocer and had not asked for any dowry.

Question.6. Why does the marriage not take place?
Answer. The marriage does not take place. It is because the bridegroom demands a dowry of five thousand rupees. Bholi refuses to marry such a person who demands dowry.

Think About It

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 her parents forced her to dress 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?
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 annauncement to the world that she is no more a Bholi, but is a Sulepha.

Question.5. Bholi’s story must have moved you. Do you think girl children are not treated at par with boys? You are aware that the government has introduced a scheme to save the girl child as the sex ratio is declining. The scheme is called Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Save with Girl Child. Read about the scheme and design a poster in groups of four and display on the school notice board.
Answer. Do It Yourself

Talk About It

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 a girl’s and a 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 must be aware of their rights to exercise them. They must utilise 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 ample proof of that. Even the names of characters like ‘Ramlal’ and ‘Bholi’ support that.