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Summary of Bholi
- Bholi, the Simpleton: Bholi was the fourth daughter of Numberdar Ramlal. She had fallen off the cot
when she was just ten months old. Perhaps some part of her brain was damaged. Out of all children,
only she remained backward. Therefore she was called Bholi, the simpleton. - Pock-marks All Over the Body: At birth, Bholi was very fair and pretty. When she was two years old,
she had an attack of small pox. Her eyes were saved but her entire body was disfigured. She had deep black pock-marks all over the body. Little Sulekha (iiholi) learnt how to speak at five. She stammered. Children often made fun of her. So, Bholi talked very little. - Seven Children in the Family: Ramlal had seven children–three sons and four daughters. Bholi
was the youngest. It was a prosperous family. There was plenty to eat and drink. Every child was
healthy except Bholi. The sons were sent to study in the city. Radha was already married. Mangla’s
marriage had been fixed. The third one was Champa. All the girls except Bholi were good looking and healthy. There was no difficulty in marrying them. Ramlal was worried about Bholi. She had neither good looks nor intelligence. - Bholi at Village School: A primary school was opened in the village. The ‘Tehsildar’ came to perform
its opening ceremony. He asked Ramlal to set an example and send all his daughters to school. He had no courage to disobey the Tehsildar. The next day, he caught Bholi by the hand and took her to school. She was frightened and shouted in terror. Bholi was lucky to receive a clean dress that no longer fitted Champa. She was bathed and oil was rubbed in her matty hair. Bholi now began to think that school was a better place than home. - Kind-hearted Teacher: Bholi was glad to find so many girls there. They were almost of her age. She
hoped that one of these girls might become her friend. Bholi was impressed by the pictures of birds and animals on the wall. The teacher came to her and asked her name. She stammered again and again but could not pronounce her full name. The teacher encouraged her. She decided to make another effort. And this time she succeeded in pronouncing her full name. ‘‘Bh-Bh-Bho – Bholi.’’ The teacher patted her affectionately. She assured her that she would be able to speak like everyone else soon. She asked her to come to school every day. She said. ‘‘Ye-Ye-Yes.’’ Bholi herself was surprised that she had been able to say this. The teacher assured her that within a month she would be able to read the picture book. In time, she would be more learned than anyone else in the village. Then none would be able to laugh at her. Bholi’s heart was throbbing with a new hope and a new life. - Bholi’s Marriage Plan: At last, an offer came from a well-to-do bridegroom for Bholi. He had a big
shop, a house of his own and several thousands in bank. He was not asking for dowry. The bridegroom was almost the age of Bholi’s father and he also limped. The children from his first wife were quite grown up. These things didn’t matter to Bholi’s parents. They were happy that she was, at least, going to be married. - Bholi’s Wedding Day: Bishamber Nath, the bridegroom of Bholi, was a prosperous grocer. He came
with a big party of friends and relatives. A brass-band was playing a popular filmy tune. Ramlal was
overjoyed to see such a pomp and splendour. Bholi’s elder sisters were jealous of her luck. - Garlanding and a Quick Glance of Bholi: The bridegroom lifted the garland of yellow marigolds.
A woman slipped back the silken veil of Bholi. Bishamber took a quick glance. The garland remained
poised in his hands. He cried that she had pock-marks on her face. If he was to marry her, her father must give him 5000 rupees as dowry. Ramlal placed his turban at Bishamber’s feet. He was ready to pay two thousand rupees. The bridegroom didn’t budge from 5000. At last, Ramlal went in and opened the safe and counted the notes. He placed the bundle of notes on Bishamber’s feet. The greedy Bishamber had a triumphant smile on his face. He was ready to garland the bride. - Bholi Threw Away the Marriage Garland into the Fire: Before Bishamber could garland her,
Bholi’s hand struck out like a streak of lightning and the garland was flung into the fire. She got up
and threw away the veil. All her relatives and her parents were stunned to hear her speak without
stammering. Bholi asked her father to take the money back. Ramlal called her crazy and she wanted to disgrace the family. Bholi replied that she would not have such a mean and greedy man as her husband. Bishamber Nath started to go back with his party. Ramlal turned to Bholi and asked what she would do as no one would ever marry her. Sulekha (iiholi) said in a firm voice that they didn’t need to worry about her. She would serve her father and mother in their old age. She would teach in the same school where she had learnt so much. Bholi’s teacher had been watching the drama standing in a corner. She said, ‘‘Yes Bholi, of course’’.
Theme
‘The Hack Driver’ is the story of a very cunning manipulator Bill (Oliver Lutkins). It also shows that
appearances are often deceptive. Once, the narrator, a junior clerk in a law firm, had to go to New Mullion
to serve a summon to Oliver Lutkins. There he met Bill (Oliver Lutkins), the hack driver. When the narrator
asked about Oliver Lutkins, Bill took him to Fritz who replied that Oliver had been there a little while
ago. Bill, who was Oliver Lutkins himself, made a plan to befool the narrator. In a very friendly but subtle
way, Bill manipulated the tour, taking the lawyer around the village.
He arranged meetings with Fritz, Gustaff’s shop owner, a barber etc. Then Bill took him to Oliver Lutkins’ mother who was a terrible, huge woman who threatened to beat them. At last, he returned disappointed. He couldn’t trace Oliver Lutkins. His boss rebuked him badly and asked him to go back to New Mullion with a person who knew Lutkins. When they reached there, he found Bill and Lutkins’ mother together. The man recognised Lutkins. He told that Bill no one but Lutkins himself.
Message
This is a story of a simple rustic girl. Bholi was ignored because of pock marks on her face. She was a slow learner. She had to tie knot to a lame, old widower who asked for dowry. Bholi refused to marry such a greedy person, and decided to serve the village. She stood firm and determined. Her strength of character made her lead an exemplary life. Her attributes might inspire society to make their girl self-confident and independent. The lesson emphasized on eradicating illiteracy and spread awareness, as only education guarantees a better future.
Plot
The story ‘Bholi’ revolves around a girl who due to accidental fall and disease in her childhood, faces the
problem of being dull and ugly. Everyone always targets her for not looking good and not being intelligent. Her life turns when she joins a nearby school where her teacher encourages and helps her to become a confident person. Later in the story, circumstances arise when 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.
I hope that this summary of Bholi would have helped you.