A Ghostly Wife Question Answer | XI WBCHSE 2nd Semester
1. Justify the title of the story, “A Ghostly Wife”.
Ans. The title “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey regards to a Brahmin’s unusual marriage to a beautiful ghost. The title captures the supernatural element and hints at the themes of love, acceptance and the blurring of boundaries between life and death. The use of “Ghostly” emphasizes the wife’s ethereal nature, setting the tone for a story that explores the extraordinary and challenges conventional norms. The simple yet evocative title effectively conveys the story’s essence inviting readers to delve into the tale’s unique blend of romance, mystery, and the paranormal.
2. How did the Shakchinni enter the Brahman’s house?
Ans. According to the story “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey, the shakchinni (Ghostly Wife) entered the Brahmin’s house in a mysterious and unconventional way. She appeared to the Brahmin’s mother as a beautiful and charming woman, and the mother, unaware of her supernatural nature, invited her to stay in their home. The shakchinni then became a part of the household, eventually marrying the Brahmin and becoming his wife.
It is implied that the Shakchinni’s entry into the house was facilitated by the Brahmin’s mother’s desire to see her son married and settled. The mother’s invitation and acceptance of the shakchinni allowed her to cross the threshold into their home and their lives, leading to a series of extraordinary events.
3. Who noticed the changes first in the Shakchinni’s behaviour and how?
Ans. According to the story “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey, the Brahmin’s mother was the first to notice the changes in the Shakchinni’s behavior. She observed that the Shakchinni would disappear during the day, only to reappear at night, and that she did not cast a shadow or reflect in mirrors. The mother also noticed that the Shakchinni would often be found in the kitchen at night, cooking and preparing meals for the family.
The mother’s observations were initially subtle, but she began to suspect that something was amiss. She noticed that the Shakchinni’s behavior was not like that of a normal human being, and she started to fell a sense of unease and suspicion. However, she did not confront the Shakchinni directly, and instead, waited for her son to discover the truth.
4. How did the Brahmin’s understanding of the supernatural and his place in the world change after his encounter with the Shakchinni and what lessons did he learn from the experience?
Ans. The Brahmin’s encounter with the Shakchinni profoundly changed his understanding of the supernatural and his place in the world. He learned that there were forces beyond human comprehension at work in the world and that he was not immune to their influence. The experience humbled him and made him realise that his knowledge and understanding were limited. He also learned the importance of seeking guidance from spiritual leaders, like the Ojha who possessed knowledge and power to deal with supernatural entities. The Brahmin’s experience taught him to be more open-minded, tolerant, and receptive to the mysteries of life.
Furthermore, he learned that love and attachment can sometimes blind us to the truth, and the true wisdom lies in accepting the unknown and the uncontrollable. The Brahmin’s encounter with the Shakchinni was a transformative experience that broadened his perspective deepened his understanding and prepared him for the complexities and mysteries of life.
5. What social and cultural commentray can be inferred from the story of the Shakchinni, and how does it reflect the values and beliefs of the time and place in which it was written?
Ans. The story of the Shakchinni offers social and cultural commentary on several levels.
Firstly: It highlights the patriarchal nature of society where women were expected to conform to certain rules and expectations. The Shakchinni’s ghostly presence can be seen as a symbol of the repressed desires and aspirations of women.
Secondly: The story touches on the theme of arranged marriages and the lack of agency for individuals in choosing their partners. The Brahmin’s mother’s eagerness to marry him off to the Shakchinni without his knowledge or consent reflects the societal pressure to secure marriages for economic and social stability.
Thirdly: The story showcases the importance of spiritual leaders and rituals in Hindu cultural particularly in dealing with supernatural entities, the Shakchinni and freeing the Brahmin from her influence highlights the reverence for spiritual authority.
Lastly: The story may also be seen as a commentary on the class system, as the Brahmin’s family is portrayed as wealthy and influential, while the Shakchinni is depicted as a mysterious and other worldly being from a lower social stratum.
Overall, the story of the Shakchinni reflects the values and beliefs of the time and place in which it was written, offering insights into the social, cultural, and spiritual norms of rural India during the 19th Century.
6. How does the story of the Shakchinni explore the theme of identity, particularly in relation to the Brahmin’s understanding of himself and his place in the world?
Ans. The story of the Shakchinni profoundly explores the theme of identity, particularly in relation to the Brahmin’s understanding of himself and his place in the world. Through his encounter with the Shakchinni, the Brahmin is forced to confront the limitations of his knowledge, the fragility of his beliefs and the instability of his sense of self.
Initially, the Brahmin sees himself as a learned and rational individual, confident in his understanding of the world. However, the Shakchinni’s presence disrupts this self-image, revealing the Brahmin’s vulnerability to supernatural forces beyond his control. As the story unfolds, the Brahmin’s identity becomes increasingly entangled with the Shakchinni’s ghostly presence. He begins to question his own sanity, his relationships and his place in the world. The Shakchinni’s disappearance and the Ojha’s intervention ultimately free the Brahmin from her influence, but not before he has undergone a profound transformation.
Through this experience, the Brahmin comes to realize that his identity is not fixed or static but is shaped by his interactions with the world around him. He learns to embrace the unknown, to acknowledge the limitations of his knowledge, and to cultivate a sense of humility and openness.
Ultimately, the story of the Shakchinni suggests that identity is complex, dynamic and multifaceted construct, influenced by a range of factors, including social norms, cultural beliefs and supernatural forces. The Brahmin’s journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of embracing uncertainty and cultivating self-awareness in the face of an ever-changing world.
7. Describe the character of the Brahmin in the story, “A Ghostly Wife”, by Lal Behari Dey.
Ans. In the story, “A Ghostly Wife”, we see some key characteristics like skeptical, lonely, traditional, curious, loving, accepting, devoted, transformation of the Brahmin. Initially, he is doubtful and his disbelieving of the ghostly wife is existence. He is unmarried and longs for companionship. As a Brahmin, he follows traditional customs and values. He is drawn to the mysterious and beautiful ghostly wife. Despite her supernatural nature, he grows to love and accept her. he comes to terms with her ghostly existence and adapts to their unusual relationship. He is deeply devoted to his wife and is heart broken when she disappears. Throughout the story, he undergoes a transforamtion from a skeptic to a loving and accepting husband. These characteristic shape the Brahmin’s actions and decisions, influencing the story’s plot and themes.
8. Describe the character of Ghostly Wife in the story, “A Ghostly Wife”, by Lal Behari Dey.
Ans. In the story “A Ghostly Wife”. we see some key characteristics like beautiful, devoted, supernatural, mysterious, loving, domestic, ethereal, transient, accepting, enigmatic of the Ghostly Wife. She is described as a stunningly beautiful women. She is deeply devoted to her husband and manages the household with care. She has ghostly power and abilities. Her origin and nature are unknown, adding to her enigmatic character. She shows genuine love and affection for her husband. She is skilled in household management and domestic duties. She does not cast a shadow, does not show reflections, and has an otherworldly presence. She disappears after a year, leaving her husband heart broken. She accepts her husband’s initial skepticism and gradually wins his love. Her character remains shrouded in mystery, leaving room for interpretation. These characteristics contribute to the Ghostly Wife’s captivating and intriguing personality, making her a memorable and haunting figure in the story.
9. Describe the character of Brahmin’s Mother in the story “A Ghostly Wife,” by Lal Behari Dey.
Ans. In the story, “A Ghostly Wife” we see some key characteristics like concerned, traditional, caring, unware, conventional, loving, meddling, innocent of the Brahmin’s Mother. She is worried about her son’s wife. She expects her son to lead a conventional life, including marrying a suitable women. She loves her son and wants him to be happy. She interferes in her son’s life, encouraging him to marry, which leads to the unusual circumstances. She is innocent of any knowledge about the ghostly wife’s true nature. These characteristics portray the Brahmin’s Mother as a well-meaning, traditional, and caring figure who unintentionally sets the events of the story in motion.
10. Evaluate “A Ghostly Wife” as a folktale.
Ans. “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey can be classified as a folktale for the following reasons like oral tradition, supernatural elements, simple and concise narrative, rural setting, social commentary, anonymous origins, cultural significance, symbolism and metaphor. The story has its roots in oral tradition, passed down through generation by word of mouth. Folktales often feature supernatural entities, such as ghosts, spirits and magical beings. The story has a straight forward narrative, typical of folk tales. The story is set in a rural village, a common setting for folk tales. Folktales often contain social commentary and this story touches on themes like marriage, love, and acceptance. The story’s authorship is attributed to Lal Behari Dey, but the tale itself may have originated from anonymous source. The story reflects the cultural beliefs and values of the region, making it a representation of folk culture. The ghostly wife can be seen as a symbol or metaphor for the unknown, the mysterious, and the transcendent. By categorizing “A Ghostly Wife” as a folk tale, we can better understand its culture significance, narrative structure, and the themes it explores.
11. Comment on the presence of supernatural elements in the story, “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey.
Ans. The theme of supernatural elements in “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey includes: existence beyond human understanding, blurring of boundaries, acceptance and adaptation, mystery and intrigue, challenge to conventional norms, coexistence of natural and supernatural, fate and destiny, emotional connection trancends mortality. The story highlights the existence of supernatural entities beyond human comprehension. The ghostly wife’s presence blurs the the lines between life and death, reality and fantasy. The Brahmin’s acceptance of his ghostly wife shows that humans can adapt to the supernatural. The supernatural elements add mystery and intrigue, leaving room for interpretation. The ghostly wife’s presence challenges traditional notions of marriage and relationships. The story depicts the coexistence of natural and supernatural worlds. The supernatural elements suggest that fate and destiny play a role of human lives. The Brahmin’s love for his ghostly wife trancends her supernatural nature. The supernatural elements in the story serve as a backdrop to explore these themes, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
12. How did the son and his mother realise it was ghost in his wife’s place?
Ans. According to the story “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey, the son and his mother realized that the Shakchinni was a ghost when they noticed that she did not cast a shadow, she did not reflect in mirrors, she disappeared during the day, she reappeared at night, she did not eat food, despite cooking and preparing meals, made no noise while walking or moving. One day, the son decided to test his wife’s true nature. He followed her to the kitchen at night and saw her cooking and preparing meals, but when he approached her, she vanished into the thin air. He then realized that his wife was indeed a ghost. The mother, who bad already suspected something was amiss, confirmed her son’s discovery and revealed her own observatons. Together, they understood that the Shakchinni was a supernatural Bebeing, and not a human wife.
13. How did the Ojha help in revealing the Shakchinni?
Ans. According to the story “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey the Ojha (a type of Hindu priest or spiritual leader) helped in revealing the Shakchinni’s true nature by performing a ritual, using sacred ashes and chanting mantras. The Ojha performed a ritual to expose the Sahkchinni’s supernatural identity. The Ojha threw sacred ashes (likely vibhuti or bhasma) on the Shakchinni, which caused her to reveal her true form. The Ojha chanted sacred mantras, which had the power to ward off or reveal evil spirits. When the Ojha performed these actions, the Shakchinni’s ghostly form was revealed, and she vanished into thin air. The Ojha’s intervention helped the Brahmin and his mother understand the true nature of the the Shakchinni and put an end to her presence in their lives. The Ojha’s role in the story highlights the importance of spiritual leaders and rituals in Hindu culture, particularly in dealing with supernatural entities.
14. How did the Brahmin get his wife back from the Shakchinni’s capture?
Ans. According to the story “A Ghostly Wife” by Lal Behari Dey, the Brahmin did not exactly “get his wife back” from the Shakchinni’s capture, because the Shakchinni was a ghostly entity that had taken the place of his wife. However, to free himself from the Shakchinni’s influence and break the spell, the Brahmin sought the Ojha’s help, performed rituals, and used sacred objects. He consulted the Ojha, who performed rituals and chants to ward off the Shakchinni. The Brahmin likely participated in the, rituals and chants led by the Ojha. The Ojha may have given the Brahmin sacred objects, such as a talesman or sacred ashes, to protect himself from the Shakchinni’s influence. By doing so, the Brahmin was able to break the spell and free himself from the Shakchinni’s influence. The Shakchinni vanished, and the Brahmin was left to resume his normal life, albeit with a newfound understanding of the supernatural forces that exist in the world.
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