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Birth

The story 'Birth' by A.J. Cronin follows a young doctor, Andrew Manson, who faces a challenging delivery case and successfully revives a stillborn child through determination and medical knowledge. After a long struggle, Andrew's efforts result in the child's revival, leading to a profound sense of accomplishment and gratitude. The narrative highlights themes of dedication, anxiety, and the transformative experience of a new doctor in the face of life and death.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
9 views6 pages

Birth

The story 'Birth' by A.J. Cronin follows a young doctor, Andrew Manson, who faces a challenging delivery case and successfully revives a stillborn child through determination and medical knowledge. After a long struggle, Andrew's efforts result in the child's revival, leading to a profound sense of accomplishment and gratitude. The narrative highlights themes of dedication, anxiety, and the transformative experience of a new doctor in the face of life and death.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

7.

Birth
- A. J. Cronin

• BIRTH is the story of a doctor, just a fresher, who handles a complicated child delivery
case in the most admirable way and brings back life in a dead born child.
• In doing so he applies his medical text book knowledge as well as determination. The
story expresses the anxiety, dedication towards profession and gratitude towards God.
• Andrew Manson was returning home late night brooding over a disappointing evening
with his girl friend, Christine.
• It was midnight and when he reached near his house he found a miner, Joe Morgan,
awaiting him to attend to his wife immediately. She was expecting their first child after
twenty years of marriage.
• At the patient's house, Andrew saw that the lady was being attended to by a midwife
and Mrs. Morgan,an elderly woman.
• It took about two hours when the process of child birth began. Andrew was tired but he
had no option to leave the patient.
• After about an hour long harsh struggle a child was born towards the dawn. But the
child was still born.
• When Andrew gazed at the lifeless form, he shivered with horror. Then he looked at
the mother. She required immediate attention. Andrew was in a dilemma- whom should
he attend to first: the child or the mother?
• Andrew gave the child to the nurse and turned his attention to the mother who was
unconscious. Gradually, her heart strengthened and Andrew could now leave her to
attend to the baby.
• He asked about the child. The midwife was thoroughly frightened. Taking this still
child, she had dumped it beneath the bed amongst soaked newspaper. He pulled out the
child.
• The child was perfectly formed. Andrew could understand that it was a case of
suffocation due to lack of oxygen and excess of carbon-dioxide in the blood.

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• Andrew started giving the necessary treatment. He did not lose heart. The midwife
again and again told him that it was a still born child. But Andrew did not heed. He kept
on dipping the child's limp body in hot and cold water alternatively.
• After exhaustive efforts, a miracle happened. The child sighed and started crying. Its
white skin turned pink and he was no longer still born.
• At last Andrew heaved a sigh of relief. He handed the child to the nurse. He told the
entire story to Joe standing outside and walked down the street.
• The dawn was breaking by the time Andrew started towards home. He was full of
gratitude towards god and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He realized that he had
done something real at last. It was the birth of his new life as a doctor.

MAIN POINTS:

BIRTH is the story of a doctor, just a fresher, who handles a complicated child delivery
case in the most admirable way and brings back life in a dead born child.

Andrew Manson was returning home late night, brooding over a disappointing evening
with his girlfriend, Christine.

He reached home at midnight. Saw Joe Morgan awaiting him to attend to his wife
Susan. She was expecting their first child after 20 years of marriage.

Susan was being looked after by her mother and a mid-wife. Both looked anxious and
worried. Andrew was tired but patiently waited for the labor to begin.

After about an hour long harsh struggle a child was born towards dawn. But unfortunately
it was still born. Andrew shivered with horror because he had promised the Morgans
that everything would be alright.

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202
AND

THEN HE DIPS THE BABY IN


HOT AND COLD WATER
SUCCESSIVELY AND RUBS ITS
CHEST WITH A TOWEL. THEN HE
USES ORAL RESUSCITATION
METHOD TO REVIVE IT.

HAD
AN
INTO

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XI – English 246

204
REFERENCE TO CONTEXT : EXTRACT
1. Andrew did not heed her. Beaten, despairing, having laboured in vain for half and hour,
he still persisted in one last effort, rubbing the child with a rough towel, crushing and
releasing the little chest with both, his hands. Trying to get breath into that limp body.
(i) Who has been referred to as “her” in these lines?
(A) The old woman
(B) The midwife
(C) Susan morgan
(D) Joe morgan
(ii) Why did andrew not take heed of “her”?
(A) Because he had no time to think about her words as he was pre-occupied with
reviving the child
(B) Because he had a strong belief that the child would survive by a miracle
(C) Because the lady was trying to distract him from attaining his objective
(D) None of the above
(iii) Which word from the lines means the same as “lifeless”:
(A) Beaten (B) Dispairing
(C) Persisted (D) Limp
(iv) What was Andrew trying to do?
(a) Revive Susan Morgan (b) Leave the Child unattended
(c) Bring the child back to life (d) Give up on his efforts
MULTIPLE CHOICE TYPE QUESTIONS
Q1. “Don’t fret, mother, I’ll not run away.” Why did Andrew say this?
(a) To reassure Mrs. Morgan’s mother
(b) To fulfill his obligations
(c) To break the silence
(d) To handle a critical situation well
Q2. What did Andrew conclude from the whiteness of the child?
(A) That he was dead
(B) That he suffered from lack of oxygen
(C) That he should be taken to hospital
(D) That Andrew couldn’t save him

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205
Q3. What did Andrew remember about Samaritan?
(A) Place he went to volunteer
(B) Someone he met there
(C) A treatment he witnessed
(D) Not mentioned in the story
Q4. How did Andrew try to save the still born?
(A) Using a special method of respiration
(B) Calling Dr. Edward
(C) Taking him to a hospital
(D) Giving him blood
Q5. After trying for fifteen minutes, Andrew felt _______________
(A) accomplished (B) hopeful
(C) hopeless (D) confident

SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (40 TO 50 WORDS)


Q1. Who was Joe Morgan? Why was he waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson?
Ans. Jeo Morgan was a driller in Blaenelly, a mining town. He and his wife Susan, were
married for nearly twenty years and now they were expecting their first child. He
was waiting for the doctor to help Susan in the delivery of the child.
Q2. Why did a shiver of horror pass over Andrew?
Ans. Dr. Andrew struggled for more than an hour to help the mother Susan Morgan for the
safe delivery of the baby. But when the child was born he was lifeless. As Andrew
gazed at the still born baby, a shiver of horror passed over him.

USE THE GIVEN NOTES TO ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS


1. ‘Eh Doctor, I’m glad to see you.’ Why did Joe Morgan say this to Dr. Andrew Manson?
2. What thoughts (related to marriage) were running in Andrew’s mind?
3. How do you conclude that the meeting between Andrew and Christine was an
unpleasant one?
4. How was Joe’s house maintained?

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Common questions

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In "Birth," the inclusion of specific medical procedures like alternating between hot and cold water baths and employing oral resuscitation establishes a realistic depiction of medical practice. Andrew Manson's application of medical knowledge and techniques enhances the story's authenticity by grounding the dramatic events in plausible medical realities. This attention to detail allows readers to credibly engage with the narrative, understanding the seriousness of the stillbirth and the practical steps taken to address it, thereby lending credibility and depth to Andrew's character and the eventual positive outcome .

The story "Birth" depicts Andrew Manson's conflict between his professional obligations and personal feelings. After a disappointing evening with his girlfriend, Andrew is called upon to aid in a complex childbirth. When faced with the stillborn child and the unconscious mother, Andrew must decide whom to attend to first. He prioritizes the mother's recovery before attempting to revive the child, reflecting a calculated approach driven by medical necessity over personal emotions. This decision exemplifies the ethical challenges doctors face in prioritizing care under pressure and demonstrates Andrew's commitment to his professional duties .

In "Birth," A.J. Cronin uses Andrew Manson's character to embody themes of hope and renewal. Initially burdened by his own personal disappointments, Andrew's successful revival of the stillborn child serves as a metaphor for rekindled hope and professional rebirth. His perseverance in the face of adversity, culminating in the child's first breaths, symbolizes the triumph of hope over despair. The breaking dawn as Andrew leaves the Morgans' home underscores this renewal, representing the start of a new day for both the doctor and the family .

Andrew Manson's experience in delivering Joe and Susan Morgan's child marked a significant turning point in his career as a doctor. Initially, he faced the critical challenge of handling a stillborn child. Despite his fatigue and the midwife's pessimism, Andrew applied his medical knowledge—alternatively dipping the baby in hot and cold water and using oral resuscitation—to successfully revive the child. This event filled him with a profound sense of satisfaction and gratitude, marking the birth of his new life as a doctor, where he realized he had accomplished something real and impactful .

Andrew Manson's success in the story "Birth" is a testament to the critical role of determination and medical knowledge. Despite facing initial despair over the stillborn child, Andrew's unwavering determination drives him to continue efforts to revive the infant. His application of medical techniques, such as the alternating hot and cold water baths and oral resuscitation, reflects his adept use of medical knowledge. This combination of relentless dedication and professional expertise culminates in the child’s revival, highlighting the story's theme that persistence can triumph over adversity .

Andrew Manson's interactions with Joe Morgan and the midwife highlight his deep sense of responsibility and dedication to his medical role. Despite being exhausted and emotionally drained, Andrew reassures Joe Morgan and Mrs. Morgan’s mother by not leaving their side. His persistent efforts to revive the lifeless child illustrate his determination to fulfill his promise that everything would be all right. His unwavering focus and refusal to heed the midwife’s defeatist attitude further demonstrate his commitment to his duty as a doctor .

The story "Birth" suggests a complex interplay between Andrew Manson's personal life and professional performance. The narrative begins with Andrew emotionally drained from a troubling personal encounter with his girlfriend, which affects his initial demeanor. However, this personal setback does not hinder his professional responsibilities. Instead, the intensity of the childbirth situation channels his focus and resilience, ultimately leading to his professional success and personal satisfaction. This duality reflects how personal challenges can be both a hindrance and a catalyst for professional growth .

The setting of "Birth" is crucial to the narrative as it establishes the emotional and psychological backdrop against which Andrew Manson's character unfolds. The late-night timing and the intimate, domestic environment of the Morgan household underscore the isolation and urgency of the situation. This setting magnifies Andrew's internal struggles and highlights the gravity of the medical dilemma he faces. The setting also contrasts with the warmth and hope brought by the dawn as Andrew successfully revives the child, symbolizing new beginnings professionally and personally for him .

The narrative structure of "Birth" builds suspense and reader engagement through its chronological progression and focus on detailed medical challenges. Starting with Andrew's return home and culminating in the dramatic childbirth scene, the story maintains tension with a precise timeline—moving from late-night worry to early-morning resolution. The gradual revelation of Andrew's ethical and medical dilemmas, coupled with moments of doubt and resolution, keeps the reader invested in the outcome. This structure effectively captures the urgency and emotional stakes of the medical scenario .

A.J. Cronin employs symbolism in "Birth" to convey deeper meanings related to renewal and hope. The stillborn child's initial lifelessness symbolizes despair and lost promise, while its eventual revival signifies hope and new beginnings. Moreover, the dawn, breaking as Andrew leaves the Morgan house, symbolizes a new day and new life not only for the child but for Andrew as a doctor. These symbolic elements reinforce the themes of perseverance and the transformative power of medical practice .

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