Class 11: (Supplementary Reader) Chapter - 3: Birth by A.J Cronin

 Background of the Story

"Birth" is an excerpt from A.J. Cronin’s novel "The Citadel". It draws from Cronin’s own experiences as a medical doctor in the 1920s. The story reflects the challenges and moral dilemmas faced by a young doctor in a small mining town in Wales. It explores themes of hope, perseverance, and the value of human life.

 Summary in Points

1.     Dr. Andrew Manson, a young doctor, returns home late at night after a tiring day.

2.     He is called to attend Mrs. Susan Morgan, a miner’s wife, who is in labour.

3.     Susan’s husband, Joe Morgan, had been anxiously waiting for the doctor.

4.     Andrew assists in a long and difficult delivery, eventually managing to deliver a stillborn baby.

5.     He discovers the mother is unconscious and in critical condition due to heavy blood loss.

6.     Andrew revives the mother first by giving an injection and using other medical techniques.

7.     Then, against all odds, he attempts to revive the stillborn baby using warm water, cold water, and artificial respiration.

8.     After prolonged effort, the baby finally starts breathing.

9.     Both mother and child are saved.

10.  Dr. Andrew leaves the house emotionally drained but deeply fulfilled by the miracle he helped bring about.

 Setting

·       Place: A small mining town in Wales (early 20th century)

·       Time: Late night and early hours of the morning

·       Atmosphere: Tense, emotional, and dramatic, with a strong focus on medical urgency and human empathy

 Perspective (Point of View)

·       First-person narrative from Dr. Andrew Manson’s point of view

·       Gives insight into the doctor’s internal conflict, exhaustion, and ultimate triumph

 Central Idea

The story highlights the dedication, emotional strength, and ethical responsibility of a doctor in saving lives, showing how professional commitment can turn despair into hope.

 Message

The story conveys that:

·       True professionalism involves empathy, persistence, and moral courage.

·       Even in the face of apparent failure, one must not give up.

·       Small acts of perseverance can result in life-changing outcomes.

 Title Justification

The title "Birth" is symbolic and literal. It refers not only to the physical birth of the baby but also to the "rebirth" of hope and renewed confidence in the young doctor. It captures the essence of the story  a new beginning through dedication.

 Literary Devices

·       Imagery: Vivid descriptions of the medical process and emotions

·       Irony: A stillborn child is revived unexpectedly

·       Symbolism: Birth represents hope, life, and renewal

·       Foreshadowing: Joe Morgan's anxiety hints at the difficult delivery ahead

·       Metaphor: Life being compared to a fragile thread

 Tone and Mood

·       Tone: Serious, tense, compassionate, determined

·       Mood: Anxious, emotional, suspenseful, triumphant

  Characters

Character	Description
Dr. Andrew Manson	Young, dedicated doctor; main protagonist; determined and empathetic
Joe Morgan	Coal miner; anxious expectant father
Susan Morgan	Joe’s wife; patient in labor
Midwife/Nurse	Assists Dr. Manson; represents traditional knowledge
Dr. Edward Page (mentioned)	Andrew’s senior and mentor

 Flowchart

Andrew comes home tired

       ↓

Joe Morgan requests help for his wife

       ↓

Susan Morgan is in difficult labour

       ↓

Child is born still; mother unconscious

       ↓

Andrew revives mother with medical aid

       ↓

Attempts to revive baby with hot-cold water and respiration

       ↓

After long effort, baby starts breathing

       ↓

Andrew leaves, feeling fulfilled and proud


Themes 

1.     Dedication and Perseverance – The doctor’s unwavering efforts highlight the importance of determination in saving lives.

2.     Hope vs Despair – The story contrasts moments of hopelessness with the eventual triumph of life and hope.

3.     Value of Human Life – It emphasizes that every life is precious and worth fighting for.

4.     Science and Human Emotion – The narrative blends medical knowledge with deep emotional involvement.

5.     Professional Responsibility – It showcases how a true professional goes beyond duty to serve humanity.

6.     Miracle of Birth – Birth is portrayed not just as a biological event but as a powerful, almost miraculous moment.

Key Words from “Birth”

·       Andrew Manson – Young doctor; protagonist

·       Joe Morgan – Anxious father; coal miner

·       Susan Morgan – Pregnant woman; patient

·       Midwife – Assists in childbirth

·       Stillborn – The baby appears lifeless at birth

·       Artificial respiration – Manual revival technique

·       Hot and cold water – Method used to stimulate the baby

·       Injection – Used to revive the mother

·       Emotional exhaustion – Doctor’s mental state

·       Professionalism – Ethical duty of a doctor

·       Hope – Central emotion after baby's revival

·       Desperation – Intense stress during crisis

·       Miracle – Unexpected revival of the baby

·       Persistence – Not giving up despite odds

·       Rebirth – Symbolic for both baby and doctor’s spirit

·       Fulfilment – Andrew’s feeling after success

·       Human values – Compassion, empathy, care

·       Medical ethics – Doing what’s right for the patient

·       Triumph – Success of life over death

·       Duty – Sense of responsibility towards patients

 

 NCERT

Question 1: “I have done something; 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 a commendable work. His exclamation is justified. He had not only helped the middle-aged lady in the safe delivery of a male child but also restored them to perfect health. Susan Morgan’s strength was ebbing after the delivery. She was almost pulse less. Andrew 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 of a blanket and began the special method of respiration. Then he tried the hot and cold water treatment dipping the baby alternately. He laboured in vain for half an hour. He then made another last effort. He rubbed the child with a rough towel. He 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.

Question 2: ‘There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a practising physician.’ Discuss.

Answer: Normally, the medicines prescribed in the textbooks are used by the practising physicians. However, in extreme cases of emergency, the physician’s experience, resourcefulness and practical approach become far more important than the theoretical knowledge. For example, a victim of burn-injury, snakebite or suffocation through drowning needs immediate help. The nearest available doctor may not have all the facilities needed for the case. In such a situation first-aid is a must to save the patient’s life before rushing him to the hospital for proper care. With limited resources at his command, the practising physician exercises all his practical experience to control the damage to the minimum and check the victim’s state from further deterioration. A stitch in time does save nine in such cases. The practical help comes as a boon.

Question 3: What impression do you form of Andrew Manson on the basis of the story ‘Birth’?

Answer: Andrew Manson is a young man who has recently qualified as a doctor and started his medical practice as an assistant to Dr Edward Page in the small Welsh mining town of Blaenelly. He is in love with Christine and thinks of marriage as an idyllic state. His heart is overflowing with love. His steady mind and reason help him see the marriages of many persons as dismal failures.

Andrew is mature enough to keep his private and professional lives apart. Once confronted with his responsibility, he discharges his obligations to the utmost capacity. He is duty conscious. He believes in practical approach. He is pragmatic and is not afraid to try unique methods.
Andrew has a tender heart. He is aware of the feelings of others. He knows how deeply Susan loved her coming baby. He has polite manners and reassuring tone. On the whole, Andrew impresses us as a dedicated doctor.

Question 4: Compare and contrast Andrew’s emotional, mental and physical state at the beginning of the story and at the end.

Answer: At the beginning of the story Andrew is physically tired and emotionally upset. He has just returned from a disappointing evening with Christine, the girl he loved. His thoughts are heavy and muddled. The episode he had witnessed at Cardiff station still filled his mind with sadness. Though he thought of marriage as a blissful state, he couldn’t help remembering the miserable failure of many marriages.

 At the end of the story, Andrew is physically exhausted but emotionally cheerful and mentally alert. His mind is filled with joy and self-satisfaction. He has performed an unusual feat, no less than a miracle. He calls upon God as witness that he has done something real at last. This sense of achievement helps him to overcome physical fatigue. His sense of duty towards his patients helps him to attend them whole-heartedly. He forgets his personal feelings and thinks only of reviving the patients.