Chapter 7 - Birth

This article will help you with NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots birth. It will make you learn about the summary, characters and themes in the short story “Birth”, written by A.J. Cronin. Thus, for Birth Class 11 NCERT Solutions, or NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Birth please read further.

Synopsis

This chapter is about a young, energetic, and dedicated doctor, Andrew Manson who handles a critical delivery case, masterfully. As the story begins, we find him returning to his clinic where Joe Morgan is waiting to drive Manson home and take care of his wife who is to deliver a baby after 20 years of their marriage.

Dr Andrew Manson has returned after meeting Christine, his girlfriend, who was compelling him for marriage. However, he is not mentally prepared yet. Besides, his views about marriage are full of doubts. His friends such as Bramwell, Edward Page, and Denny have had unsuccessful marriages. He fears his marriage could also be unsuccessful.

At Joe’s house he finds Joe’s mother-in-law, Mrs Morgan, and a midwife waiting for him. Then the crucial hour of delivery arrives, and to everyone’s shock, the baby is born lifeless. Mrs Morgan’s condition becomes critical, he first saves her and then diverts his attention to the baby.

He diagnoses the baby to be suffering from asphyxia, pallid (suffocation or unconscious condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood). The young doctor accepts the challenge.

Recalling a case in the past, he starts the revival procedure. He plunges the child into the icy and hot waters alternately. Then he rubs the child dry and presses his chest delicately to make his lungs work. Finally, the baby starts breathing.

This miraculous recovery of the child makes him famous in Blaenelly.

Character List

Given below are some main characters in the story and their small sketch:

Andrew Manson- Andrew is a diligent, sincere and a doctor who is true to his profession. He is a compassionate human being as well. Despite his not being in the best of moods, Andrew performs the delivery of Joe’s wife with expertise. Although the child was stillborn, Andrew did not give up hopes. He remembered his training as a doctor and revived the child. The midwife assisting the doctor helps the reader analyze the character of Andrew, in contrast. Andrew is a persevering person, who understands the hopes of a family depend on the survival of the child. He does his best and receives his reward when the child begins to breathe.

Themes

The theme of the story is about a young doctor, Andrew dealing with a critical birth case. The baby is born lifeless. He takes certain decisions that prove quite successful. Not only he succeeds in saving the mother who is in critical condition after the delivery but also succeeds in reviving the child. So the baby born lifeless is born again owing to the efforts of the dedicated doctor. Hence the title is perfectly appropriate and justified.

For Ncert Solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 7, check Birth Chapter Class 11 Questions and Answers and Extra Questions for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter Birth.