ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN 125-150 WORDS EACH

1. Describe the frantic attempts Dr. Andrew made to resuscitate the still-born baby.

ANS: After Dr.Andrew succeeded in reviving Mrs.Susan Morgan, he swung around and
looked for the baby. The midwife had placed the stillborn under the cot, concluding that
the child was ‘dead.’ Andrew knelt down, pulled the boy baby out and studied its condition.
It was warm, its cord had been hastily slashed, perfectly formed though its limbs (hands
and legs) lay like broken stem and boneless. Andrew found the cause – asphyxia pallida
(an abnormal condition in which a newborn appears pale and limp and marked by a
heartbeat of 80 beats/min or less). Andrew recalled to his mind a similar incident at
Samaritan Hospital sometime in the past and decided to apply his knowledge on the baby.
He got basins, kettle, ewer and extremely cold water and hot water for a special treatment.
He filled one basin with cold and the other with hot water, took the baby, dipped it in one
then in the other. There was no sign of life about the baby and Andrew was dead tired, no
life left in him body. Dr. Andrew stumbled and almost fell with the baby over a slippery
floor. Another half an hour followed and Dr. Andrew was still working, rubbing the baby
with a rough towel, crushing and releasing the little chest. Miraculously the baby stirred,
breathed and finally behaved normally.

2. Draw a character sketch of Dr.Andrew Morgan.

ANS: Andrew Manson was a young doctor working as an apprentice under Dr.Edward Page.
He was a dedicated and hardworking medical practitioner. We find Joe Morgan waiting for
Andrew at midnight. Though Andrew returned tired and not so in elated mood, he was
obliged to go with Joe without any reservation. On reaching Joe Morgan’s house, he
realized that there was still time for him to operate. When he perceived that the old
woman was concerned that he might leave the case and go, he kindly assured her that he
would only leave until he finished everything.
We also find that he was level-headed man. He could resolve any issue. He instinctively
decided to save the mother and his decision proved to be right. In trying to resuscitate the
child, he didn't hesitate even to do any experiment. Plunging the child into the icy and hot
waters in turns posed him like a crazy person in the eyes of the Midwife. Still he continued
to do the same which resulted only in disappointment. Here we could witness a never give
up attitude of Andrew. He started rubbing and releasing the chest. After such feverish
effort, the child started breathing miraculously.
3. I have done something; oh, God! I’ve done something real at last.” Why does Andrew
say this? What does it mean?

ANS. The young doctor Andrew Manson had done a commendable work. His conviction is
justified. He had not only helped the middle-aged lady in the safe delivery of a male child
but also restored her 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. When he saw the
child, he understood that it was due to asphyxia. And immediately his mind raced back to
a similar case he had seen at Samaritan. So, he quickly ordered for hot water and cold
water. Then he tried the hot and cold water treatment by 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.
Andrew was overwhelmed with a feeling that he had done something true and real.

4. Why was Andrew Manson called in? How did he react to the call of duty?

ANS: Andrew Manson had just begun his medical practice in the small Welsh mining town
of Blaenelly. He was called in to attend to Susan Morgan, who was expecting her first child
after being married for nearly twenty years. Her husband, Joe Morgan had been waiting
for an hour outside the closed surgery. It was nearly midnight when Andrew reached there.
As Joe acquainted Andrew with his wife’s condition, Andrew forgot his own affairs. He went
inside his house for his bag and immediately left for the driller’s place.
Since his services were not immediately needed by the expecting mother, he decided to
wait downstairs. He re-examined her after an hour. It was at 3:30 am when the nurse
summoned him. He struggled for an hour before the child was born. Then he worked
feverishly to revive the weak mother and the stillborn child. He had to use all his knowledge
and experience in discharging his duty. He did not pay attention to his own physical
tiredness or mental tension. Duty came first and he responded to it with single-minded
devotion.
5. There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a practising
physician.’ Discuss.

ANS: Yes, it is absolutely true that a great difference lies in textbook medicine and a world
of practicing physician. The medical textbooks equip the students with thorough
knowledge of various branches of study like-anatomy, physiology, bio-chemistry etc.,.This
knowledge alone will not any purpose until it has been put into practice. That is the reason
why a medical course will invariably allow the students to go through a period of training.
The training will bestow to the students an opportunity to test their knowledge and
practically put it into practice. While formal learning is essential, informal or non-formal
learning which takes place during training is also utmost important. The same thing is
witnessed in the story. Andrew could only succeed as he had successfully showcased all his
expertise and experience to save the life of the mother and the child. It’s the combination
of both intellectualism and pragmatism that reaps the maximum benefits.

6. Why was Andrew feeling so dull and listless that evening? How did that evening influence
his whole life and career?

Ans. Andrew returned home after midnight. His experience with Christine that evening was
not happy one. Moreover, several episodes of unhappy married couples also saddened
him. When he reached Bryngower, outside his house was Joe Morgan waiting anxiously for
the doctor. He led Andrew to his house where his wife Susan was in labour. The couple
was awfully set upon the child. Andrew decided to wait and give medical aid. But
unfortunately, the child was born lifeless. The doctor felt defeated after all his efforts of
resuscitating the child. His final attempt of pressing and releasing the pigmy chest of the
child brought life into the baby miraculously. He had no idea that the incident of that night
would give him not only supreme satisfaction but also name and fame. He worked hard
and very intelligently saved the life of mother as well as her stillborn child.
 ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN 30-40 WORDS EACH

1. Why did Joe Morgan come to Dr. Andrew Manson’s residence? (2 marks)
ANS: Joe Morgan , a miner was anxiously waiting for Dr.Andrew though it was nearly
midnight .He was walking up and down the closed surgery and entrance of the house for
quite some time. The reason for his coming to meet Dr.Andrew was that his wife was
going to have a child after twenty years of their married life and she desperately needed
a doctor’s help.

2. What did the elderly midwife think of the young doctor?

ANS: The midwife in the story remains doubtful about the young doctor’s success
throughout the story. Probably, she was skeptic about modern medicine and also the
young inexperienced Dr.Andrew. Her act of placing the stillborn under the cot cements
this suspicion about her character. She was indirectly establishing the failure of modern
medicine by doing so. But, towards the end she herself was caught in shock and surprise
after witnessing the miracle of the lifeless child coming to life.

3. Why did the case demanded all of Dr. Manson’s attention?

ANS: Susan Morgan was about to bring forth her first baby after twenty years’ of married
life. Susan herself was keenly particular that the baby should survive any danger during
her labor, even at the cost of her life. The miner family had been awaiting this childbirth
and therefore, from the old woman to the rest, everyone trusted Dr. Manson’s entire
potential and skill for the baby’s safety.

4. Why was Dr. Andrew Manson’s mind heavy when he rushed to attend the case at
Joe’s Morgan’s?
ANS: Dr. Manson felt listless and dull after his return from the Cardiff station. His mind
morbidly thought of the unpleasant episode he had faced at the station with his girlfriend.
Though he wanted to believe that marriage is idyllic his mind reasoned the opposite of it.
It was this dilemma that left him in an utterly confused state.
5. What did Andrew feel when he saw the lifeless baby?
ANS: Initially, Andrew was lost for a while. He didn’t know what was there to do. He felt
like his dreams melting into thin air. He immediately thought of the promise he made to
Joe Morgan and all the family members. Now all the hopes were dashed beyond repair.
But he never gave up his efforts. It was his persistent nature which helped to save the
mother and the child in the end.

6. Why had Susan instructed not to give her chloroform?

ANS: Susan had her life spent in anticipation of a baby for twenty years and so was her
mother, Joe and so many others. Having grown old, she only wished if she could leave
behind her a baby for the family. Besides, in her society, infertility was considered to be
a curse. For fear of chloroform harming the baby, as believed by the miners, she wanted
to make sure that nothing harmed the baby against any amount of physical pain.
ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS IN A SENTENCE OR TWO:

1. Who were present in Joe Morgan’ house?

ANS: The following members were present-Joe Morgan’s mother, Midwife and Mrs.
Susan Morgan.
2. Why did Joe’s mother offer a cup of tea to Andrew?
ANS. Wise Morgan’s mother understood that the case was getting delayed and that
Andrew might return back saying that he would come back later.
3. What was Mrs.Susan Morgan’s concern?
ANS. She was worried that using the anesthetic would harm the baby.
4. Why were Andrew’s thoughts heavy and muddled?
ANS. He faced an unpleasant situation with his girlfriend at the Cardiff station.
5. What steps did the doctor take to revive Mrs.Morgan?
ANS. He quickly gave an injection worked sparingly to revive Mrs.Morgan.
6. What do you know about Joe Morgan?
ANS. He was a miner. He and his family members were anxiously waiting for the
birth of a child after twenty years of married life.
7. How can we say that Andrew was tenacious?
ANS. Though the special treatment proved in vain, Andrew persisted in his efforts to
resuscitate the child.
8. What feeling brooded upon Andrew after the child came alive?
ANS. A sense of achieving something genuine and great.
9. What do you understand about the Midwife?
ANS. She was pessimistic and was cynical about a modern doctor like Andrew.
10. Mention few qualities of Andrew.
ANS. He was perceptive, persistent, problem solver and a good human being.
 CHOOSE THE BEST ANSWER FROM THE GIVEN OPTIONS :
1. Why did Joe Morgan express relief when he saw Dr.Andrew?
A. He had an appointment with him.
B. His wife desperately needed a doctor.
C. Dr.Andrew was his friend.
D. None of the above.
2. The Reason for Andrew’s disappointing mood.
A. He was ailing.
B. He was extremely tired.
C. He doesn’t like his profession.
D. He had a disappointing evening with Christine, his girlfriend.
3. Why did Andrew decide to stay back until everything was completed?
A. His house was far away.
B. The case demanded all his attention.
C. He was exhausted.
D. None of the above.
4. Andrew was shocked when he saw the lifeless child. The following is the reason-
A. He had promised that everything will be all right.
B. He was inexperienced.
C. he was worried about his career as a doctor.
D. None of the above.
5. What propelled the doctor to decide to save the mother first?
A. He thought over carefully and wanted to save the mother first.
B. It was an instinctive decision.
C. Mother was important than the child.
D. The child was born lifeless.
6. The reason for the child’s lifelessness.
A. The child was dead.
B. The child was sleeping.
C. Due to a condition called asphyxia
D. None of the above.
7. The following can be inferred about Andrew after reading the story.
A. He was a committed Doctor.
B. He had never give up attitude.
C. He showed ethics in dealing with patients.
D. All of the above.
8. Why did Andrew say, ”I’ve done something ; oh, God! I’ve done something real at
last”.
A. He was convinced that he had achieved something real in his life.
B. He did not really mean it.
C. It was yet an another achievement in his life
D. All of the above.
 COMPETENCY BASED
QUESTIONS

1. Andrew decides to make a Diary entry about the miraculous incident that happened
at the Morgan’s. Imagine yourself as Andrew and pen down his feelings.

Date:xx/xx/xxxx
Time: 6:30 am
God! Today is the Day! Yes! I’ve done something, oh God! I’ve done something real at
last! What was it? Nothing short of a miracle…..I’m still not able to make out….. Oops!
Magical! Never knew I had it in me. Was it a real, or a dream?

Must have been around midnight…………….Joe Morgan waiting at the surgery, his face a
well of anxiety; who might’ve guessed what a night it was going to be! That too, with all
the mess at the Cardiff Station, and Christine never leaving the mind…………………

But yes, despite all, it was clear how eagerly the family awaited the baby, Joe’s and
Susan’s first after being married for twenty years, truly, a precious baby for them, a baby
to wipe their tears and shame of twenty, yes, twenty years…………. The would be grandma
seemed so expectant, and of course so caring of her daughter…….

But what a terror – the baby, awaited so eagerly, assured by me to be delivered safely,
born still………..What could I say? The promise – the baby would be fine, so would be the
mother – gone down the drain……….. The mother too….sinking….Whom to save? Don’t
know what drove me – the mother first………Thank God she was saved……..

The baby? Yes, no point in saving the mother with the baby lifeless….Somehow,
somehow or other it had to be done. ……It came in a flash – some time back in the
Samaritan…….yes! Same case (who reminded me?). That nurse must’ve thought me
crazy. He voice rings in my years still, “For mercy’s sake, Doctor, it’s stillborn.” And that
old woman’s gaze – god! It pierced me……

Yes crazy, that’s what I was at that moment – how could I leave it still? No way. I had to
get that baby life…….. Hot water, cold water……….who reminded me, who? But it
worked! That last effort, it worked. Pressing and releasing that tiny chest between these
huge hands………..would’ve killed that little thing unless revived………but it worked, God,
it worked! What a moment – one heave, another, and another, and another, and that
tiny bubble from the nose and that shrill cry – the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard – the
sound of life, the bubble of joy………….God! Nothing like this……Thank God, for that
moment, it’s worth my life………… How you bring your rewards is amazing…………..

Andrew Manson
 2. Discuss the relevance of the title “Birth”.

ANS: The Title “Birth” is quite apt to the story. The story revolves round the Birth of a
child. Mrs &Mr. Joe Morgan were expecting their first child after twenty years of married
life.All the family members were awfully set upon the child. Susan Morgan was not ready
to be administered with anesthetic if it was going to harm the baby. So, we understand
how much she valued the baby. Also, they called Dr.Andrew, a modern doctor, though
Midwife was already present in the house. It tells that they did not want to take any
chance. The infant was born lifeless which later was adjudged by the doctor as pallida.
The child comes alive miraculously after the feverish efforts of the doctor. It was
Dr.Andrew’s persistent efforts and his determination to do something about the baby
brought back life to the baby. The Birth of the baby meant not only happiness but wiping
of the shame and tears of the Morgan’s.
In another sense , the title also suggests the birth of the doctor himself, in his career as a
doctor in that Welsh mining town. The episode left him overwhelmed with a strong
feeling of achieving something true and great.

ATTEMPT THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

1. You are the Staff Reporter of The Daily Post Newspaper. You would like to cover the
amazing episode that happened in Blaenelly. Write the report of the incident to be
published in the Regional edition of the Newspaper.

2. Long way down his career, Dr. Andrew recounts the experience that had happened
at Blaenelly in his keynote address at the Graduation ceremony of a Medical School.
Pen down his thoughts based on the story “Birth”.