Question

Why did Bholi at first agree to an unequal match? Why did she later reject the marriage? What does this tell us about her?

Answer 1

This is a normal practice in India that girls seldom oppose their parent’s choice for a groom. The upbringing of daughters does a kind of mental conditioning which doesn’t give them enough courage to rebel against their parent’s wish. Bholi more or less followed the tradition of being an ideal Indian girl and agreed to an unequal match because she felt lucky to get a well-to-do groom who owned a big shop, had a house of his own and had several thousands in the bank. Moreover, he was not asking for any dowry. Bholi also heard her mother saying that he did not know about her pock-marks and her lack of sense. If the proposal was not accepted ,she might remain unmarried all her life.Later on when the groom bared his greed to everyone, it repulsed Bholi and she opposed the marriage. Unlike her sisters ,Bholi is educated and has a mind of her own. She is as independent as any other modern girl of a big city. On seeing her father pleading and getting humiliated ,she decided not to marry him. This tells us that she loves and respects her parents , has self respect and knows what is right or wrong and is able to take a wise decision.