Birth
Class XI · Snapshots · by A. J. Cronin · Summary, Word Meanings & NCERT Solutions
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1 Summary of “Birth”
Birth is an extract from A. J. Cronin’s novel The Citadel. Andrew Manson is a young doctor who has recently finished medical school. He works as an assistant to Dr Edward Page in the Welsh mining town of Blaenelly.
One night, Andrew returns late after spending an unhappy evening with Christine, the woman he loves. Joe Morgan is waiting for him. Joe’s wife, Susan, is about to give birth to their first child after nearly twenty years of marriage. Joe is worried and asks Andrew to help.
Andrew goes to the Morgan home. Susan’s mother and an experienced midwife are there. Andrew waits for the birth while thinking about his own problems and the unhappy marriages he knows. He is tired and troubled, but he stays because the family needs him.
At about half-past three, Andrew begins his work. After a difficult labour, the baby is born without signs of life. At the same time, Susan is very weak and in danger. Andrew must act quickly. He first gives his attention to Susan, gives her medicine and works to bring her back to a safe condition.
Then Andrew asks for the baby. The midwife has placed the child beneath the bed, believing it is stillborn. Andrew notices that the baby is pale and understands that it may have suffered from a lack of oxygen. He does not give up. He uses the method he remembers from an earlier medical case and works on the baby for a long time.
At last, the baby begins to breathe and cry. Andrew has saved both mother and child. He is exhausted, but he feels deeply happy. As he walks away at dawn, he thinks, “I’ve done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” He feels that he has finally done meaningful work as a doctor.
Teacher’s Insight
Andrew’s success does not come from luck alone. He remembers what he has learnt, stays calm enough to act, and refuses to give up. The story shows that a good professional needs both knowledge and the courage to use it when people depend on them.
2 Main Characters
Andrew is a young doctor. At first, he is tired and worried about his personal life. During the emergency, he puts his own feelings aside, makes quick decisions and works hard to save Susan and her baby. The experience gives him confidence and a sense of purpose.
Joe is a miner and Susan’s husband. He is anxious because they are expecting their first child after nearly twenty years of marriage. He trusts Andrew and waits outside while the doctor helps his wife.
Susan is Joe’s wife. She is in labour and becomes dangerously weak after the baby is born. Andrew treats her urgently and helps her recover.
Susan’s mother is hopeful and deeply concerned for her daughter and grandchild. The midwife assists during the birth, but she believes the baby is dead. Andrew’s determination leads him to try to revive the child.
3 Important Word Meanings
- Burly: large and strong in build.
- Listless: without energy or interest.
- Lethargy: a state of great tiredness.
- Resuscitate: to bring someone back to breathing or consciousness.
- Asphyxia: a condition caused by lack of oxygen.
- Futile: useless; having no result.
- Convulsive: involving sudden, uncontrolled movements.
- Pulse: the regular beating felt in an artery as the heart pumps blood.
- Scullery: a room used for washing dishes and other kitchen work.
- Oblivious: unaware of what is happening around you.
4 NCERT Questions and Answers
Use the labels as a guide to answer length. Follow the word limit given in your examination paper.
Answer: Andrew says these words after he succeeds in saving Susan Morgan and her baby. Before the night call, he has been troubled by his personal problems and by the unhappy marriages he has seen. He feels tired and confused, but he still accepts his duty as a doctor. During the birth, he faces two emergencies: Susan is dangerously weak, and the baby appears to be stillborn. He treats Susan first and then works patiently to revive the baby. His efforts finally succeed when the child begins to breathe and cry. Andrew feels that he has done something truly useful because his knowledge and hard work have saved two lives. The words show his joy, relief and new confidence. He realises that a doctor’s work can have a real and immediate effect on people’s lives.
SA Equivalent (40–50 words): Andrew says this after saving Susan and her baby. Although he is tired and troubled, he performs his duty with skill and determination. When the baby begins to breathe, he feels deep joy and relief. The experience gives him confidence and a sense of purpose as a doctor.
Answer: Textbooks give doctors important knowledge about diseases, treatments and the human body. However, real medical work can be more difficult because every patient and every emergency is different. A practising doctor must observe carefully, make decisions quickly and use knowledge in the right way. Andrew faces this difference during Susan Morgan’s delivery. The baby is born without signs of life, while Susan herself is dangerously weak. Andrew cannot simply follow a fixed lesson. He must decide what to do first, treat Susan and then try to revive the baby. He remembers a method he has seen used before and continues working even when the midwife believes the child is dead. His practical judgement and persistence save the baby. The episode shows that book knowledge is essential, but a doctor also needs experience, presence of mind, compassion and the ability to act under pressure.
SA Equivalent (40–50 words): Textbooks provide medical knowledge, but real cases require quick decisions and practical judgement. Andrew faces two emergencies during Susan’s delivery. He treats the mother first and then works to revive the baby. His knowledge, presence of mind and persistence show why practical skill matters alongside theory.
Answer: Medical care can sometimes save people who are close to death. For example, a person whose heart has stopped may survive if trained medical staff begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quickly and use a defibrillator when needed. A person who cannot breathe may need oxygen or help from a ventilator. Such treatment depends on the condition and must be provided by trained professionals. Organ transplantation is another life-saving procedure. In it, a damaged organ, such as a kidney, liver or heart, may be replaced with a healthy organ from a donor. Doctors carefully check whether the transplant is suitable and monitor the patient afterwards. Organ regeneration is an area of medical research that studies how cells and tissues can repair or replace damaged parts of the body. These methods are different from Andrew’s efforts in the story, but all show how medical knowledge can protect life. This answer gives general examples; a real incident may be added if you know its reliable details.
SA Equivalent (40–50 words): Medical treatment can save lives through CPR, defibrillation, breathing support and other emergency care. Organ transplantation can replace a failing organ with a donor organ. Researchers also study how cells and tissues repair damage. These treatments require trained specialists and depend on each patient’s condition.
5 Extra Practice Questions (Collapsible Accordions)
Q1 – VSA: Who was Andrew Manson?
Answer: Andrew Manson was a young doctor who worked as an assistant to Dr Edward Page in Blaenelly, a small mining town in Wales.
Q2 – VSA: Why did Joe Morgan come to meet Andrew?
Answer: Joe came to ask Andrew to attend his wife, Susan, who was about to give birth to their first child.
Q3 – SA: Why was Andrew’s attention divided during the delivery?
Answer: Andrew had to care for two patients at once. Susan was dangerously weak after the delivery, while the baby appeared lifeless. He had to make a quick decision, treat Susan first and then turn to the baby.
Q4 – SA: How did Andrew try to revive the baby?
Answer: Andrew remembered a method used in an earlier case. He asked for hot and cold water and worked on the baby patiently. Even when the child showed no response for a long time, he continued until the baby began to breathe and cry.
Q5 – SA: What qualities of Andrew are shown in the story?
Answer: Andrew is responsible, observant, skilled and determined. He remains focused during a difficult emergency and does not give up on the baby. His actions show compassion, courage and the ability to use medical knowledge in a practical situation.
6 Interactive Quiz
Check Your Understanding
Choose one answer for each question, then submit the quiz to see your score and correct feedback for any mistakes.
7 Quick Revision Guide
Remember These Points
- Author: A. J. Cronin; the extract is from The Citadel.
- Main character: Andrew Manson, a young doctor.
- Setting: Blaenelly, a Welsh mining town.
- Emergency: Susan Morgan is in labour; the baby appears lifeless.
- Andrew’s actions: He treats Susan first, then works to revive the baby.
- Outcome: Both mother and child survive.
- Central themes: duty, medical skill, courage, compassion and persistence.
- Meaning of the final line: Andrew feels that he has finally done something truly valuable as a doctor.
For exam answers, mention the event, explain why it matters, and use simple, clear sentences. Remember: Andrew succeeds because he uses his knowledge and refuses to give up.
