BIRTH
-A.J. CRONIN
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Value Points
A doctor’s sense of duty, dedication, and humanistic approach towards his patients.
The supreme joy of motherhood.
The real sense of fulfillment, peace and joy that a piece of good work done brings to
human
mind.
The real piece of work in human life lies in bringing joy in other people’s life.
The tremendous sense of expectation and anxiety that is caused in family member’s
heart when a baby is on the way.
The technical aspects of the resuscitation method as regards a new-born.
SHORT QUESTIONS
1. What did Andrew notice as he entered Joe’s house?
Answer: As Andrew entered the door of Number 12, he saw a narrow stair which led up to a
small bedroom, clean but poorly furnished, and lit only by an oil lamp. Mrs. Morgan’s
mother, a tall, grey-haired woman of nearly seventy, and a stout, elderly midwife waited
beside the patient.
2. “Andrew now felt dull and listless.” Give two reasons.
Answer: On Joe Morgan’s call, Andrew, along with Joe, set out for Joe’s house. The night air
was cool and deep with quiet mystery but Andrew felt dull and listless because it was past
midnight and he was reflecting about his own relationship with Christine, the girl he loved.
3. What was the old woman’s fear? How did Andrew reassure her?
Answer: When the old woman returned with a cup of tea, Andrew smiled faintly. He noticed
the old woman, her wisdom in experience, and realized that there had been a period of
waiting. She was afraid he would leave the case, saying he would return later. But he assured
her that he would not
run away.
4. What was weighing on Andrew’s mind as he waited with the patient?
Answer: Andrew’s thoughts were heavy and muddled. The episode he had witnessed at
Cardiff station still gripped him and made him gloomy. He thought of Bramwell, foolishly
loyal to a woman who deceived him. He thought of Edward Page, tied to the shrewish
Blodwen and of Denny, living unhappily, apart from his wife.
5. What dilemma was Andrew caught in? How did he resolve it?
Answer: After an hour-long struggle, the child was born lifeless and the mother was in a
critical state. Andrew was tom between his desire to attempt to save the child by trying to
resuscitate, and his obligation towards the mother, who was in a desperate state of health. He
overcame the dilemma, instinctively; he gave the child to the nurse and turned his attention to
Susan Morgan.
LONG QUESTIONS
1. Why does Andrew comment that he had done something ‘real at last’ in Blaenelly?
Answer: Value Points:
Andrew Manson is a young doctor just out of medical school.
The place where he works is a small mining town named Blaenelly.
He had been handling the case of Joe and Susan Morgan who were expecting their first
child after twenty years of marriage.
Andrew had assured the couple of no complication and safe delivery of the baby.
He visits Joe Morgan’s house dead at night as Susan Morgan has premature labour pain
In an atmosphere of anxiety and expectation, he works for the safe delivery of the baby
A lifeless baby is born and Susan is on the verge of death too
Andrew is crushed
He first helps Susan’s condition to improve
Then he works massively for resuscitating the breathless baby
After half an hour’s harsh struggle, the baby breathes
At last Andrew can be true to the promise he had held.
Saving the lives of two this way and guaranteeing joy to a whole family is thus ‘something
real’
2. His reason told him that all these marriages were dismal failures. What are the reasons
that make him reach this conclusion?
Answer: Andrew was sceptical about relationships because of what he had closely observed.
His thoughts were serious and confused. The episode, he had witnessed at Cardiff station,
still obsessed him. He thought of Bramwell, unwisely devoted to a woman who betrayed him;
he thought of Edward Page committed to the quarrelsome Blodwen. His thoughts turned to
Denny, living unhappily, away from his wife. His reason told him that all these marriages
were dismal failures. It was a conclusion, which made him cringe in his present state. He
wished to consider marriage as a peaceful state. The conflict between his cynical mind and
his heart, eager to love, left him bitter and confused.
3. “I have done something͖ oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does
Andrew say this? What does it mean?
Answer: The young doctor Andrew Manson had done commendable work. His exclamation
is justified. He had not only helped the middle-aged lady in the safe delivery of a child but
also restored them to perfect health. Susan Morgan’s strength was ebbing after the delivery.
She was almost pulse less. Andrew smashed a glass ampule and gave her an injection and
worked severely to strengthen her heart. The major achievement of Andrew was to resuscitate
the stillborn child. First, he laid the child on a blanket and began the special method of
respiration which he had seen in the Samaritan. Then he asked the nurse to bring the hot and
cold water and began the treatment by juggling the baby from one basin to another. He
laboured in vain for half an hour. He then made another last effort. He rubbed the child with a
rough towel and went on pressing and releasing the baby’s little chest with both his hands.
At last, the baby responded. His chest heaved; Andrew redoubled his efforts. The child was
gasping now. A bubble of mucus came from his tiny nostril. The pale skin turned pink. His
limbs became hard. Then came the child’s cry. Andrew called upon God as witness of his act
which was no less than a miracle. It was not mere theoretical talk but a practical
achievement—something real and solid.
PRACTICE LONG Qs
1. What impression do you form of Andrew Manson on the basis of the story ‘Birth’?
2. Compare and contrast Andrew’s emotional, mental and physical state at the beginning
of the story and at the end.
3. Why was Andrew Manson called in? How did he react to the call of duty?
4. There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a practising
physician.’ Discuss.
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