The Thakur’s Well - Premchand

Answer the following questions in about 100 words each.

1. Why was Gangi unable to get water from anywhere when the story opens?

Premechand’s story “The Thakur’s Well’ tells us about those days when feudal customs of caste hierarchies are observed in our villages. He writes about inhuman landlords and heartless money lenders. Gangi and Jokhu live a village. The couple belongs to an untouchable caste. The village has only three wells. The water of the well from which they usually draw water is contaminated. The well is far away. They are not allowed to draw water from the other two wells, Thakur’s well and the Sahuji’s well because of their caste. That is why Gangi was unable to get water from anywhere when the story opens. (104 words)

2. What did she plan to do, in order to assuage Jokhu’s thirst?

Premechand’s story “The Thakur’s Well’ tells us about those days when feudal customs of caste hierarchies are observed in our villages. Gangi and Jokhu live a village. The couple belongs to an untouchable caste. Jokhu is ill. He is thirsty and the water is contaminated. So, he could not drink the water. She plans to bring water from the Thakur’ well at night. She knows that it is risky as they are not allowed to draw water from the well because of their caste. Jokhu warns her that the villagers would punish her if they find that she is drawing water from their wells. (104 words)

3. What were some of Gangi’s thoughts, as she waited near the Thakur’s well in order to get some water?

Gangi plans to bring water from the Thakur’ well at night. She knows that it is risky as they are not allowed to draw water from the well because of their caste. She reaches the well at about 9 o’ clock in the night. While waiting for an opportunity to draw water, she thinks that the untouchable are not allowed to drink water from the well even though everybody drinks from it. She is against traditional society’s restrictions.  She thinks that the high caste people cheat, steal, gamble and adulterate. She wonders how such people can be called as high. (100 words)

4. What were the two women who came to the well taking about? What does this show?

Gangi plans to bring water from the Thakur’s well at night. While waiting for an opportunity to draw water at the well, she listens to a conversation between two women. The women talk about the men. The men have come in to eat and they order the women to bring water. They would not like the women to rest even for awhile. They do not have the decency to draw water themselves. They give orders as if the women are slaves. The conversation reflects the society of those days. Women are treated like slaves and men exploited the women.  Women have no rights then. (104 words)

5. What happened when the Thakur’s door opened suddenly?

Gangi plans to bring water from the Thakur’ well at night. She knows that it is risky as they are not allowed to draw water from the well because of their caste. In the darkness, she prays God and lowers her pitcher into the well. She pulls up the pitcher very quickly. But before she could catch the pitcher, the Thakur’s door opened suddenly. Gangi is terrified and the rope slips from her hands. The pitcher goes down into the well making a big noise. Thakur comes near the well shouting to catch the intruder. Gangi runs away from the well. (101 words)

Answer the following questions in about 200 words each.

1. Show how this is a tale of social injustice and cruelty. Use examples from the story to elaborate your points?

Premechand’s story “The Thakur’s Well’ tells us about those days when feudal customs of caste hierarchies are observed in our villages. He writes about inhuman landlords and heartless money lenders.  This is a tale of social injustice and cruelty.

Gangi and Jokhu live a village. The couple belongs to an untouchable caste. The village has only three wells. The water of the well from which they usually draw water is contaminated. The well is far away. They are not allowed to draw water from the other two wells, Thakur’s well and the Sahuji’s well because of their caste. Gangi, like other lower caste people is a victim of social injustice and cruelty.

While waiting for an opportunity to draw water at the well, she listens to a conversation between two women. The women talk about the men. The men have come in to eat and they order the women to bring water. They would not like the women to rest even for awhile. They do not have the decency to draw water themselves. They give orders as if the women are slaves. The conversation reflects the society of those days. Women are treated like slaves and men exploited the women.  Women have no rights then. (205)

2. Why does Premchand use the title, ‘The Thakur’s Well’ for his story, and how is this the best title he could have employed?

Premchand is the pen-name of Dhanpat Rai Srivastav. Premechand’s story “The Thakur’s Well’ tells us about those days when feudal customs of caste hierarchies are observed in our villages. He writes about inhuman landlords and heartless money lenders.  

The story revolves around a well belonging to Thakur. Thakur represents the higher castes and Gangi represents the lower castes of the society in those days. The well is a symbol of natural resources and communal wealth. The water of the well represents the necessities and aspirations of oppressed classes.

Gangi and Jokhu live a village. The couple belongs to an untouchable caste. The village has only three wells. They are not allowed to draw water from the other two wells, Thakur’s well and the Sahuji’s well because of their caste. Gangi, like other lower caste people is a victim of social injustice and cruelty.

Lower caste people are not allowed to use necessary facilities of the village because of their caste. Upper caste people enjoy all these facilities even though they cheat, steal, gamble and adulterate. The story is about the prevailing social conditions of those days. Thus the title is very appropriate and Premchand could not have employed a better title to the story. (204 words)