A Ghostly Wife – Class 11 English | Summary, Characters, Themes & Broad questions .

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 📖 A Ghostly Wife – Class 11 English | Summary, Characters, Themes & FAQs

Read the complete Class 11 English summary of A Ghostly Wife by Lal Behari Dey. Get character sketches, themes, moral, and line-by-line explanation for exam preparation.


🌟 About the Story

“A Ghostly Wife” is a famous Bengali folktale written by Lal Behari Dey and included in the Class 11 English syllabus (WBCHSE). It blends mystery, supernatural elements, and moral lessons. This story teaches how truth, intelligence, and courage overcome evil forces.


📝 Summary of A Ghostly Wife

The story is set in a Bengal village where a Brahman lives with his wife and mother. Near their home is a tank with a large tree, home to a malevolent ghost called Sankchinni.

One evening, the Brahman’s wife brushes against the ghost and is captured. The Sankchinni hides her in the tree and impersonates her by wearing her clothes.

The Brahman’s mother notices strange behavior in the “wife,” such as unusual strength and odd habits, raising her suspicion.

They consult an Ojha (exorcist), who performs a burning turmeric test—a traditional method to reveal ghosts. The impostor ghost screams and confesses, revealing the location of the real wife.

The Brahman’s wife is rescued, and the ghost promises never to harm them again, restoring peace to the family.

Bengali meaning 

গল্পটি একটি বাংলার গ্রামে ঘটে, যেখানে একজন ব্রাহ্মণ তার স্ত্রী ও মাতার সঙ্গে বসবাস করেন। তাদের বাড়ির কাছে একটি ট্যাংক আছে, যার পাশে একটি বড় গাছ, যেখানে সঙ্কচিন্নি নামে একটি দুষ্ট আত্মা বাস করে।

এক সন্ধ্যায়, ব্রাহ্মণের স্ত্রী অসাবধানতাবশত আত্মার সঙ্গে সংস্পর্শে আসে এবং আত্মা তাকে ধরে নিয়ে যায়। সঙ্কচিন্নি গাছের ভেতরে তাকে লুকিয়ে রাখে এবং তার পোশাক পরিধান করে স্ত্রীয়ের ভান করতে থাকে।

ব্রাহ্মণের মা “স্ত্রী”র অদ্ভুত আচরণ লক্ষ্য করেন—অসাধারণ শক্তি ও অদ্ভুত অভ্যাস দেখায়—যা তাকে সন্দেহজনক মনে হয়।

তারা এক ওঝার (যন্ত্রণা দূর করার বিশেষজ্ঞ) পরামর্শ নেন, যিনি হলুদ পোড়ানোর পরীক্ষা করেন—একটি প্রাচীন পদ্ধতি যা আত্মাকে প্রকাশ করে। নকল আত্মা চিৎকার করে এবং স্বীকার করে, আসল স্ত্রীর অবস্থান প্রকাশ করে।

ব্রাহ্মণের স্ত্রীকে উদ্ধার করা হয়, এবং আত্মা প্রতিশ্রুতি দেয় যে আর কখনও তাদের ক্ষতি করবে না। ফলে পরিবারে শান্তি ফিরে আসে।


👤 Character Sketches

1. The Brahman:
A learned man living with his wife and mother, initially unaware of the supernatural events.

2. The Brahman’s Wife:
A gentle and kind-hearted woman, victim of the ghost’s deception.

3. The Brahman’s Mother:
Observant and wise; she identifies unusual behaviors of the impostor.

4. The Sankchinni (Ghost):
A malicious spirit who kidnaps the Brahman’s wife and impersonates her.

5. The Ojha (Exorcist):
A spiritual healer who reveals the ghost and helps rescue the real wife.


🧠 Major Themes

  • Supernatural vs Reality: Ghostly elements intersect with daily life.

  • Deception and Identity: The ghost impersonates the Brahman’s wife.

  • Good vs Evil: The story shows the triumph of morality over malevolent forces.

  • Cultural Beliefs: Reflects traditional Bengali beliefs in ghosts and exorcists.

1. Describe the incident of the Brahman’s wife being kidnapped by the Sankchinni.

One evening, the Brahman’s wife went near the tank for her routine activities, unaware that a Sankchinni (female ghost) resided on the tree. The ghost became furious when the wife accidentally brushed past her. In anger, the Sankchinni kidnapped the Brahman’s wife and hid her in a hollow of the tree. To deceive the family, the ghost dressed in the wife’s clothes and returned to the house, impersonating her. This incident creates suspense and sets the stage for the conflict in the story.

2. How did the Brahman’s mother realize that the woman in the house was not her daughter-in-law?

The Brahman’s mother noticed strange and unusual behavior in her daughter-in-law. The woman was far more active than normal, completing household chores at an incredible pace. She also stretched her arms in unnatural ways and used her foot for tasks like stirring, which was highly unusual. These oddities aroused the mother’s suspicion, making her question the true identity of the woman. Her careful observation and wisdom ultimately helped in uncovering that the woman in the house was the Sankchinni disguised as her daughter-in-law.

3. Who is the Ojha, and what role did he play in the story?

The Ojha is a skilled exorcist known for dealing with supernatural beings. When the Brahman’s mother grew suspicious, she called the Ojha for help. He used his knowledge and expertise to perform the burning turmeric test, which revealed the impostor ghost. The Ojha’s role was critical in saving the Brahman’s wife from the Sankchinni and ensuring the family’s safety. His intelligence, experience, and traditional methods helped restore order, demonstrating how wisdom and expertise can overcome supernatural challenges in folklore tales.

4. Describe the burning turmeric test and its significance in the story.

The burning turmeric test is a traditional method used to identify supernatural beings, as ghosts cannot withstand fire or heat. The Ojha applied this test to the woman impersonating the Brahman’s wife. When she touched the burning turmeric, she screamed in pain, revealing her true identity as the Sankchinni. This test was significant because it not only exposed the impostor but also led to the rescue of the real wife. The incident highlights the importance of traditional knowledge and intelligence in confronting evil forces in folklore.

5. What is the moral of the story “A Ghostly Wife”?

The story teaches that good always triumphs over evil. It emphasizes the importance of observation, intelligence, and courage in overcoming challenges. The Brahman’s mother carefully noticed the ghost’s unusual behavior, while the Ojha skillfully applied traditional methods to solve the problem. The tale also reflects the value of wisdom and moral judgment, showing that patience and cleverness can protect families from harm. Ultimately, it conveys a lesson about the power of virtue and righteousness, a key theme in Bengali folklore.


6 . Significance of the Title “A Ghostly Wife”

The title “A Ghostly Wife” is highly significant because it captures the central theme of the story in just three words. It immediately tells the reader that the story involves a wife and supernatural elements, arousing curiosity. The word “Ghostly” hints at the presence of a Sankchinni (female ghost) who impersonates the Brahman’s wife, creating suspense and tension. Meanwhile, “Wife” emphasizes the relationship and the stakes—the safety of the Brahman’s real wife. The title effectively summarizes the conflict and draws attention to the main events of kidnapping, deception, and eventual rescue.

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