Identify an example of irony used in the story and explain its effect.
Answer
When Bholi offers to help a sick child, the villagers praise her but then blame her for bringing bad luck – a situational irony that criticises hypocrisy.
Step-by-step solution
- Locate a scene where Bholi does something good.
- Notice that the villagers react negatively despite her good act.
- Realise this is a contradiction between expectation and reality – situational irony.
- Explain that this irony criticises the villagers’ hypocrisy.
- Answer: When Bholi offers to help a sick child, the villagers praise her but then blame her for bringing bad luck – a situational irony that criticises hypocrisy.
Common mistake: Confusing irony with sarcasm
Concept tested: irony
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Related questions
- 1 How does the author use the contrast between Bholi and the village schoolteacher to highlight social attitudes? (Write about 80 words)
- 2 Explain how the author uses the contrast between Bholi and the village schoolteacher to highlight social attitudes. Write about 80 words.
- 3 In the story 'Bholi', the word 'naïve' is used to describe Bholi’s nature. What does the word 'naïve' mean in this context?
- 4 Write a short note (about 40 words) describing the role of Bholi’s mother in the story.
- 5 From whose perspective is the story narrated?
- 6 Which statement best expresses the central theme of 'Bholi'?