Birth

About the author :

Archibald Joseph Cronin (1896- 1981)

A medical graduate of the University of Glasgow. Although initially pursuing a successful career as
ship's surgeon ( Navy and civilian) and afterwards operating a busy GP practice in London's West
End, AJ Cronin is best known as a novelist. AJ Cronin (1896–1981) was a Scottish-born doctor-turned-
novelist whose most famous novel is The Citadel, published in 1937. Cronin was educated at the
University of Glasgow and served as a surgeon in the Royal Navy during World War I.

Hard Words And Their Meaning

Birth

Asphyxia- a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or
death; suffocation

Awful – very

Bach- used as a term of endearment, often after a personal name

Blind- a screen for a window, especially one on a roller or made of slats

Broodingly- preoccupied with depressing, morbid, or painful memories or thoughts

Burly- (a person) large and strong; heavily built

Cinder- a small piece of partly burnt coal or wood that has stopped giving off flames but still has
combustible matter in it

Consternation- a feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexcited

Convulsive- violent; uncontrollable

Dismal- causing a mood of gloom or depression

Draggled- dirty or wet, typically from being trailed through mud or water

Driller- someone who works at the drilling controls on the rig floor

Ebbing- (of an emotion or quality) gradually decrease

Ether- used as an anaesthetic

Ewer- a large jug with a wide mouth, formerly used for carrying water

Faltered- lose strength or momentum

Flaccid- lifeless

Frantic- conducted in a hurried, excited, and disorganized way

Fret- be constantly or visibly anxious; worry

Giddy- weak
Haggard- looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering

Haste- excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry

Hastily- with excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly

Heave- produce a sigh

Hypodermic- relating to the region immediately beneath the skin

Idyllic- like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque

Iridescent- showing luminous colours that seem to change when seen from different angles

Lethargy- lack of energy and enthusiasm

Lolled- hang loosely

Midwife- a person, typically a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth

Morbidly- (with reference to a disturbing or unpleasant interest or activity) in an abnormal and

unhealthy manner

Muddled- not arranged in order; untidy

Overwrought- in a state of anxiety; tired

Pallid- (of a person’s face) pale, typically because of poor health

Pallida – suffocation or unconscious condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide
in the blood, accompanied by paleness of the skin, weak pulse, and loss of reflexes

Pigmy- little (here)

Plunging- falling steeply

Probing- inquiring closely

Queer- strange; odd

Resentful- feeling or expressing bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly

Resuscitate- revive someone from the unconsciousness

Rustle- make a soft, muffled crackling sound

Scullery- a small kitchen or room at the back of a house used for washing dishes and other dirty
household work

Shrewish- (of a woman) bad-tempered or aggressively assertive

Slashed- slit

Smiled faintly- smiling with less energy or a smile that lacks spirit

Snatch- manage to take (here)

Sodden- saturated with liquid, especially water; soaked through

Sopping- saturated with liquid; wet through

Sordidly- meanly selfish, self-seeking

Stark- complete

Stout- (of a person) rather fat or heavy build

Stumbling- tripping or losing balance while walking; moving with difficulty

Surgery- a place where a doctor, dentist or other medical practitioner treats or advises patients

Tallow- the hard fat of animals melted and used to make soap, candles etc.

Unavailing- achieving little

Unsparingly- generous

Whimpered- say something in a low, feeble voice that expresses fear, pain, or unhappiness

Wince- make a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of pain or distress

Ye- an old written form of the word ‘the’

Read the extracts and answer

“Susan said
1.not to give her the chloroform if it would harm the baby. She’s awful set upon this child, Doctor,
bach.” Her old eyes warmed at a sudden thought. She added in a low tone: “Ay, we all are, I fancy.”
He collected himself with an effort.

“It won’t do any harm, the anesthetic,” he said kindly. “They’ll be all right.”

1 Who is ‘She’ in this extract?

A) Joe Morgan

B) Susan Morgan’s mother in law

C) Susan Morgan’s mother

D) Andrew Manson

Ans. C) Susan Morgan’s mother

2 Why did Susan’s mother not want chloroform to be given to her daughter?

A) For the baby could die

B) for it could harm her

C) For it could harm the baby

D) Both B and C

Ans. D) Both B and C

3 What is anesthetic?

A) Drug that leads to sensibility

B) Drug that leads to insensibility

C) Drug that leads to mental disorder

D) Drug that numbs the whole head

Ans. B) Drug that leads to insensibility

4 Why were all the Morgans worried?

A) For they were expecting their first child after a long period

B) For they were expecting their second child after a long period

C) For they were expecting their third child after a long period

D) For they were expecting their fourth child after a long period

Ans. A) For they were expecting their first child after a long period

2. As he gazed at the still form a shiver of horror passed over Andrew. After all that he had
promised! His face, heated with his own exertions, chilled suddenly. He hesitated, between his
desire to attempt to resuscitate the child, and his obligation towards the mother, who was herself in
a desperate state. The dilemma was so urgent he did not solve it consciously. Blindly, instinctively,
he gave the child to the nurse and turned his attention to Susan Morgan who now lay collapsed,
almost pulseless, and not yet out of the ether, upon her side.

1 How was the child born?

A) Lively

B) Lifeless

C) Lame

D) Blind

Ans. B) Lifeless

2 What does the word ‘Resuscitate’ mean?

A) To revive

B) To bathe

C) To clean
D) To stamp

Ans. A) To revive

3 Which ugly middle position was Manson caught in?

A) Whether to save the child or not

B) Whether to save the mother or not

C) Whether to pay attention to child or to mother

D) Whether to pay attention to family or mother

Ans. C) Whether to pay attention to child or to mother

4 What had Dr. Manson promised to the Morgans?

A) Safe delivery of the child and mother

B) Less amount to be charged for delivery

C) No admission charges for the baby

D) That he would not be able to save the mother

Ans. A) Safe delivery of the child and mother

In a flash Andrew knelt down. Fishing amongst the sodden newspapers below the bed, he pulled out
the child. A boy, perfectly formed. The limp, warm body was white and soft as tallow. The cord,
hastily slashed, lay like a broken stem. The skin was of a lovely texture, smooth and tender. The head
lolled on the thin neck. The limbs seemed boneless.

1 What does the word ‘Sodden’ mean?

A) Dry

B) Wet

C) Cleaned

D) None of these

Ans. B) Wet

2 Which literary device has been used in ‘Lay like a broken stem’?

A) Simile

B) Metaphor

C) Personification
D) Alliteration

Ans. A) Simile

3 Which literary device has been used in ‘White and soft as tallow’?

A) Simile

B) Zeugma

C) Epithet

D) Metonymy

Ans. A) Simile

4 Who slashed the child’s cord hastily?

A) Joe Morgan

B) Susan Morgan

C) Susan Morgan’s mother

D) Andrew Manson

Ans. D) Andrew Manson

Short Answers

1. Who was Joe Morgan? Why was he so tense, and waiting anxiously for Dr Andrew that night?

Answer. Joe Morgan worked as an excavator in Blaenelly, a mining town. He was a tall, robust,
heavy-set man in his forties. Joe and his wife of nearly 20 years, Susan, were expecting their first
child. Joe Morgan was in desperate need of Dr. Andrew’s assistance. Susan, his wife, was in labor.
After 20 years of marriage, she was about to give birth to their first child. Joe and Susan were
anxious for the baby to arrive safely. So he waited for the doctor with bated breath.

2. That night proved unusual and it influenced Dr Andrew’s whole future in Blaenelly. What
miraculous thing happened that night?

Answer. Dr Andrew began his medical career in the mining town of Blaenelly. The successful
handling of Mrs Joe’s case was a watershed moment in his life. It was nothing short of a miracle that
he had restored life in a stillborn child by alternating between dipping it in cold and warm water. He
gained not only satisfaction but also name and fame.

3. Why were Susan and her Old mother so tense that night?

Answer. Susan was about to give birth to her first child after 20 years of marriage. She and her
husband Joe were naturally tense. Susan’s elderly mother stood beside her, tense but hopeful.
4. Susan’s mother was wise in experience. What hints did she give of her wisdom?

Answer. Susan’s mother was a tall, gray-haired woman who was nearly seventy years old. She knew
from personal experience that childbirth would take some time. She was astute enough to suspect
that Dr Andrew would not be patient for long. So she tried to persuade him to stay by offering him
tea and sitting next to him.

5. Name the five central characters in the story Birth who played the key role?

Answer. Joe Morgan, his wife Susan, his elderly mother-in-law, a stalwart midwife, and, of course, Dr
Andrew are the story’s five central characters. The doctor was instrumental in saving Susan’s and her
ostensibly stillborn baby’s lives.

Long Answer
1. Give a brief life-sketch and achievements of Dr Andrew Manson.

Answer. Dr. Andrew Manson had just graduated from medical school. In a small mining town, he was
working as an assistant to Dr. Edward Page. He had a crush on Christine, but he had a bad night with
her when he met Joe. He was exhausted and tense. It was well after midnight. But, true to his calling,
he went with Joe to see Susan Morgan, who was in labor. Andrew wasn’t bothered by the wait. He
waited until daybreak without sleeping a wink. When he was faced with a dilemma, he proved his
worth. The baby had no heartbeat, and the mother was sinking. He worked tirelessly to save both.

He first saved the mother by administering a life-saving injection to her. When he took the lifeless
but warm baby into his arms, he was reminded of a similar case from medical school. He gave the
baby the same treatment and saved him. He resurrected both of them.

2.What was Andrew’s dilemma after the delivery? How did he solve the problem so successfully?

Answer. The baby was born at dawn. As he looked at the lifeless baby, Dr Andrew was filled with
horror. He was now dealing with two patients. Susan’s pulse was rapidly fading. The infant was
white, limp, and lifeless. Andrew was at a loss as to who he should prioritize. He injected Susan and
pulled her out of danger based on instinct. Then he drew out the child, who was warm but not
breathing. He used cold and hot water, as well as the pressure of his hands, to give it an unusual
treatment. There was also a miracle. When the child cried out, he thanked God.

3.Narrate the story Birth in about 100 words of your own. What message does it convey?

Answer. The ‘Birth’ is an enthralling story. It tells the story of a young doctor who saves two lives.
Both the mother and her newborn baby were critically ill. It emphasizes the ability of a physician to
perform miracles. Andrew was a young physician. He was called in to supervise childbirth. Joe and
Susan had been married for nearly two decades. They were about to have their first child. Susan’s
elderly mother and a midwife were already at her bedside.

Andrew chose to wait until the job was finished. Susan’s condition worsened after she gave birth to
the baby. The child was born stillborn, limp, and boneless. Andrew attended to the mother first,
giving her a life-saving injection. He then took the child in his arms. He alternated between dipping it
in hot and ice cold water. He gently pressed on the child’s chest. He continued this treatment for
nearly thirty minutes, or until the baby began to breathe and cry. Thus, Andrew saved both the lives.
4. Bookish knowledge is theoretical. It is practice and observation which makes a man with
theoretical knowledge a man perfect in his field. Discuss.

Answer. Bookish knowledge is essential because it imparts theoretical knowledge. It teaches a man
the complexities of a problem and its possible solutions. A man with theoretical knowledge who
lacks practical experience may fail in his job. A man with practical knowledge and experience, on the
other hand, has a better chance of achieving the desired results. In our daily lives, we encounter
compounders who outnumber doctors and physicians. A physician who has read the procedure for
administering an injection but has not performed it with his own hands will fail in his attempt. A
compounder, on the other hand, can outperform a physician due to his practical experience.

Similarly, if you have minutely observed a man performing his job flawlessly, you can put that very
practical experience to use and achieve success. Dr. Andrew was able to save the child because he
had witnessed someone saving a nearly lifeless child. He used his practical experience and
knowledge to complete his task quickly. So, for success, especially in the medical field, both
theoretical knowledge and practical experience are required. So, if not seasoned with practical
experience, bookish or oral knowledge may prove futile and worthless.

5. What impression of Andrew Manson do you form on the basis of the story ‘Birth’?

Answer. Andrew is a conscientious, truthful, and professional doctor. He is also a kind human being.
Despite not being in the best of spirits, Andrew delivers Joe’s wife expertly. Despite the fact that the
child was stillborn, Andrew did not give up hope. He recalled his medical expertise and revived the
infant. In contrast, the midwife accompanying the doctor assists the reader in analysing Andrew’s
character. Andrew is a determined individual who recognises that a family’s dreams are dependent
on the survival of the child. He gives his all and is rewarded when the child begins to breathe. He was
constantly willing to assist others. He always helps people, no matter how exhausted he is. He also
enjoys experimenting in his career to find new and better ways to help others.

He was a mature and intelligent individual who always made the right decision. Andrew Manson was
able to solve any challenge since he is constantly full of fresh and better ideas.

6. If you work to respect the feelings, yearnings and desires of others, success is always yours.
Explain on the basis of the lesson ‘Birth’ by A. J. Cronin.

Dr. Andrew Mason was sensitive to the Morgan family’s feelings. He’d gone to help Mrs. Morgan
with her childbirth. Mrs. Morgan was about to have her first child after twenty years of marriage, so
it was a difficult task, coupled with the fact that she was no longer younger in age. As a result,
Andrew recognised that the baby was extremely valuable to the family. He knew he had to save both
the mother and the baby for the sake of the family’s happiness.

Dr. Andrew quickly realized how difficult the task was. Mrs. Morgan began to sink, and the child
appeared to be stillborn. He handed the baby over to the midwife and focused on reviving the
mother. He turned to save the child after saving the mother’s life. He was able to revive the child by
working hard and bringing his experience and knowledge to the forefront.
7.Andrew had premonition that night world change his whole future in Blaenelly" how did this
happen?

Andrew had no premonition that that night would influence his future in Blaenelly. That night he
saved the life of Mrs Morgan and her baby ; this won him the eternal gratitude of Joe Morgan and L
established him firmly in the good books of the villagers.After harsh labour, Mrs Joe Morgan
delivered an almost lifeless child. Her own condition was critical. I Andrew had to work fast to save
the baby and the mother. He handed the baby to the nurse and turned to the mother.

He gave her some injections and pumped her heart. Then he turned to the baby who had been given
up for dead. He saw that the child had suffocated and was unconscious due to lack of oxygen. He
tried some unconventional treatment. He immersed the baby alternately in hot and cold water.
Then he tried to quicken the baby’s heart. Miraculously the baby responded and started breathing.