Lachmi chatted away merrily – Who was Lachmi | Why is the term merrily used here

“Lachmi chatted away merrily.”-Who was Lachmi ? Why is the term ‘merrily’ used here? What does it symbolise?
Or,“Lachmi chatted away merrily.”—Who was Lachmi? Write in brief whý Lachmi chatted away merrily ? Class 11 | English (Karma) 6 Marks

Ans:

Lachmi was a simple Indian woman who never tried to imitate western manners as her husband Sir Mohan Lal did.

Lachmi considered her husband to be her master. She was afraid of him and obeyed his orders meekly and passively. Her poor and illiterate relatives were not allowed to enter their house. Lachmi, who was fond of a little gossip, had no one to talk to at home. So, she became relaxed and merrily started a conversation with the coolie when she found her husband busy in the first class waiting room. She could talk freely and enjoyed finding an ordinary man like her to talk to.

It symbolises that she felt restricted and confined in Sir Mohan’s house as well as in his presence. It reflects the then Indian society where women were not allowed freedom – neither of speech nor of protest.