The story "Birth" by A.J. Cronin highlights the importance of dedication, courage, and hope in the medical profession. The story revolves around a young doctor, Andrew Manson, who had just started his practice in a small mining town. After a difficult day, he was called late at night to attend a delivery case at Joe Morgan’s house.
Joe and his wife had been childless for twenty years, so this delivery was very significant for them. After a long and painful struggle, the child was born but was stillborn. To make matters worse, the mother’s condition became critical due to excessive bleeding.
Dr. Andrew immediately attended to the mother and managed to save her life. Then, he turned to the baby, who was lifeless. Instead of giving up, Andrew tried artificial respiration and dipped the baby alternately in hot and cold water. After continuous efforts, the child finally began to breathe.
The story ends on a hopeful note as both the mother and the child are saved. Through Andrew’s determination, the author emphasizes the values of duty, responsibility, and never giving up, which are the true spirit of a doctor’s profession.
ए. जे. क्रोनिन द्वारा लिखी गई कहानी “बर्थ” चिकित्सा सेवा में समर्पण, साहस और आशा के महत्व को दर्शाती है। कहानी एक युवा डॉक्टर, एंड्रयू मैनसन के इर्द-गिर्द घूमती है, जिसने हाल ही में एक छोटे से खनन नगर में अपनी प्रैक्टिस शुरू की थी। एक कठिन दिन के बाद, उसे देर रात जो मॉर्गन के घर प्रसव के लिए बुलाया गया।
जो मॉर्गन और उसकी पत्नी बीस वर्षों से संतानहीन थे, इसलिए यह प्रसव उनके लिए अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण था। लंबे और कठिन संघर्ष के बाद बच्चा पैदा हुआ, लेकिन वह मृतप्राय था। इसी बीच माँ की हालत भी अधिक रक्तस्राव के कारण गंभीर हो गई।
डॉ. एंड्रयू ने तुरंत माँ की जान बचाने के प्रयास किए और सफल हुए। इसके बाद उन्होंने शिशु की ओर ध्यान दिया, जो निःप्राण था। हार मानने के बजाय, उन्होंने कृत्रिम श्वसन विधि अपनाई और बच्चे को बारी-बारी से गर्म और ठंडे पानी में डुबोया। लगातार प्रयासों के बाद बच्चा सांस लेने लगा।
कहानी आशा और सफलता के साथ समाप्त होती है। माँ और शिशु दोनों सुरक्षित रहते हैं। लेखक यह संदेश देते हैं कि कर्तव्य, जिम्मेदारी और हार न मानना ही डॉक्टर के पेशे की सच्ची भावना है।
Q1. Who is the author of the story "Birth"?
a) J.B. Priestley
b) A.J. Cronin ✔
c) Guy de Maupassant
d) Ruskin Bond
Q2. Who is the young doctor in the story?
a) Joe Morgan
b) Andrew Manson ✔
c) Edward Page
d) Dr. Morgan
Q3. Where does Andrew practice as a doctor?
a) In a city hospital
b) In a small mining town ✔
c) In London
d) In a military camp
Q4. Why was Joe Morgan’s case very important?
a) He was very rich
b) His wife was delivering after 20 years ✔
c) His wife was sick
d) He was a politician
Q5. What happened after the baby was born?
a) The baby was healthy
b) The baby was stillborn ✔
c) The baby cried loudly
d) The baby was premature
Q6. What complication did the mother face after delivery?
a) Fever
b) Heart attack
c) Excessive bleeding ✔
d) Shock
Q7. What method did Dr. Andrew use to revive the baby?
a) Electric shock
b) Artificial respiration and hot-cold water bath ✔
c) Medicines
d) Massage only
Q8. What was the result of Andrew’s persistent efforts?
a) The baby remained dead
b) The baby began to breathe ✔
c) The baby was sent to hospital
d) The baby was adopted
Q9. What qualities of Dr. Andrew are highlighted in the story?
a) Greed and laziness
b) Dedication and determination ✔
c) Anger and ego
d) Weakness and fear
Q10. What is the main theme of "Birth"?
a) Friendship and love
b) Courage, duty, and hope in medical profession ✔
c) Poverty and suffering
d) Mystery and adventure
Q1. Who was Andrew Manson?
Ans: Andrew Manson was a young doctor who had recently started his medical practice in a small mining town. He was dedicated, hardworking, and determined to serve his patients sincerely, even in difficult situations.
Q2. Why was Joe Morgan’s case so special?
Ans: Joe Morgan’s wife was expecting her first child after twenty years of marriage. The case was special because both the parents were anxious and it was a rare and precious moment in their lives.
Q3. What was the condition of Mrs. Morgan after delivery?
Ans: Mrs. Morgan became weak and unconscious after giving birth. She was suffering from severe bleeding and her condition was very critical. Andrew had to take great care to save both mother and child.
Q4. What happened to the newborn baby?
Ans: The newborn baby was stillborn, pale, and lifeless. It showed no signs of breathing, which made the family hopeless. However, Andrew did not give up and tried to revive the child.
Q5. What methods did Andrew use to revive the baby?
Ans: Andrew used the method of artificial respiration. He dipped the baby alternately in cold and hot water, rubbed the chest, and pressed the child’s body to stimulate breathing.
Q6. How did Andrew show his dedication?
Ans: Andrew showed his dedication by refusing to give up on the lifeless baby. He continued his efforts tirelessly and used all his medical skills until the child finally responded and began to breathe.
Q7. How did the family react when the baby revived?
Ans: The family was overjoyed when the baby began to breathe. Their hopelessness turned into relief and happiness, and they were deeply grateful to Andrew for saving both mother and child.
Q8. What does the story reveal about Andrew’s character?
Ans: The story reveals Andrew’s qualities of determination, responsibility, compassion, and professional commitment. He worked selflessly, without worrying about himself, to save lives and fulfill his duty as a doctor.
Q9. What theme of medical profession is shown in the story?
Ans: The story shows the theme of dedication, perseverance, and hope in the medical profession. It highlights how doctors must stay calm, confident, and committed to saving lives even in the most critical conditions.
Q10. Why is the story titled “Birth”?
Ans: The story is titled “Birth” because it revolves around the difficult birth of a child and the challenges faced in saving the newborn’s life. It symbolizes hope, new beginnings, and the triumph of human effort.
Q1. Describe the critical situation faced by Andrew during Mrs. Morgan’s delivery.
Ans: Andrew Manson faced a highly critical situation during Mrs. Morgan’s delivery. The mother was weak and suffering from severe bleeding, while the newborn baby was stillborn. The family had already lost hope of saving the child. However, Andrew remained calm and composed. He first ensured the safety of Mrs. Morgan by controlling her condition and then turned his complete attention to the lifeless baby. He applied artificial respiration, rubbed the baby’s chest, and used the hot-and-cold water treatment. Despite repeated failures, Andrew did not give up. His dedication and medical knowledge finally revived the baby. This situation highlighted the challenges doctors face and Andrew’s deep commitment to his duty.
Q2. How does Andrew’s character inspire readers in the story "Birth"?
Ans: Andrew Manson’s character is an inspiration for readers as he represents true dedication, courage, and humanity. Despite being a young and inexperienced doctor, he handled a complicated delivery with patience and skill. He showed deep compassion toward his patients and displayed unwavering determination when the newborn was stillborn. Instead of losing hope, he used all his medical knowledge and strength to revive the child. His persistent efforts were finally rewarded when the baby began to breathe. Andrew’s actions reflect the qualities of an ideal doctor who values human life above all. His courage, selflessness, and sense of responsibility inspire readers to remain committed to duty and never give up in the face of difficulties.
Q3. What is the main theme of the story "Birth" by A.J. Cronin?
Ans: The main theme of "Birth" is hope, determination, and the selfless duty of doctors. The story highlights how a doctor must remain calm and dedicated, even in the most hopeless situations. Andrew Manson, through his tireless efforts, revived a stillborn baby and saved the mother’s life. His actions emphasize the importance of perseverance, presence of mind, and professional responsibility. The story also brings out the emotional side of medical practice, where saving lives gives immense satisfaction to doctors. It teaches that even in moments of despair, strong willpower and effort can bring miraculous results. Thus, "Birth" is not only a story about a child’s birth but also about the rebirth of faith in humanity.
Q4. Explain how Andrew’s efforts to save the baby reflect his sense of duty.
Ans: Andrew’s efforts clearly show his deep sense of duty as a doctor. When he found the baby stillborn, he did not lose hope. Instead, he decided to fight against all odds. He tried several methods, including artificial respiration and hot-and-cold water baths, to stimulate the child’s breathing. Even when his attempts failed repeatedly, he did not give up and worked tirelessly until he succeeded. Andrew’s actions were not driven by personal benefit but by his moral and professional responsibility to save lives. His perseverance in reviving the baby highlights the values of sacrifice, service, and devotion in the medical profession. This strong sense of duty makes Andrew a true role model.
Q5. How does the story "Birth" highlight the challenges of the medical profession?
Ans: The story "Birth" by A.J. Cronin highlights the emotional and professional challenges faced by doctors. Andrew Manson, a young doctor, is called to assist Mrs. Morgan during childbirth. The situation becomes highly critical as the mother suffers from excessive bleeding and the baby is born stillborn. The family is filled with despair, but Andrew does not give up. He uses all his skills, works tirelessly, and finally revives the child. This shows that doctors often face situations where lives depend entirely on their decisions, skills, and determination. The story portrays how the medical profession requires immense patience, dedication, and courage. It reminds us that doctors not only heal bodies but also restore hope and faith in life.