The Birth

 Birth  by  AJ Cronin

‘Birth’ is an extract from ‘The Citadel’ by A J Cronin . It was published in 1937. It will be easy to understand ‘Birth,’   if we first understand “The Citadel” in short.

THE CITADEL

In October 1921, Andrew Manson, an idealistic and enthusiastic , newly qualified doctor, arrived from Scotland to work as an assistant to Doctor Page in the small Welsh mining town of Blaenelly. 

He was shocked to see the insanitary conditions , he tried to improve matters and got the support of Dr. Philip Denny, a cynical semi-alcoholic.

Then he obtained a post as an assistant in a miners’ medical aid scheme in ‘Aberalaw’, a neighboring coal mining town in the South Wales coalfield.

He married Christine Barlow, a junior school teacher.

Dr. Andrew Manson moved away from his strong medical ethics and was lured by money.

He drifted away from his wife for a while.

A patient at his Hospital died and Manson was accused by the Medical Council.

Manson returned to Christine but a few days later Christine got hit by a bus. Manson’s life wrecked and he took time to recover from the wreckage.

At the end, Dr. Andrew Manson opened a multi-specialty hospital with some friends and experts from medical field.

B I R T H

Dr. Andrew Manson – A doctor working in the mining town of Blaenelly. Optimistic, Doubtful – About marriages, Analytical, Highly patient – He showed extreme patience during the labor and later.

Joe Morgan – A mine-worker.   Loving, Caring , Escapist , Responsible , Optimistic, Trusting                                                                                             

Susan Morgan – Joe Morgan’s wife , Loving, Caring,Sacrificing                                                          

Susan’s mother – Joe Morgan’s mother-in-law, Experienced, Diplomatic or tactic, Presence of mind                                                                               

An elderly midwife (nurse), Pessimistic, Discouraging, Condescending, Fearful,                                                                    

Christine – Dr. Andrew’s girlfriend

GLOSSARY

*Surgery- a place where a doctor, dentist or other medical practitioner treats or advises patients *Burly- (a person) large and strong; heavily built *Driller- someone who works at the drilling controls on the rig floor *Ye- an old written form of the word ‘you' *Contemplation- deep reflective thought *Abruptly- suddenly and unexpectedly *Perceptive- having or showing sensitive insight *Listless- lacking energy or enthusiasm *Premonition- a strong feeling that something is about to happen, especially something unpleasant *Stout- (of a person) rather fat or heavy build *Midwife- a person, typically a woman, who is trained to assist women in childbirth *Bach- used as a term of endearment, often after a personal name *Smiled faintly- smiling with less energy or a smile that lacks spirit *Fret- be constantly or visibly anxious; worry *Overwrought- in a state of anxiety; tired *Snatch- manage to take (here) *Queer- strange; odd *Lethargy- lack of energy and enthusiasm *Rustle- make a soft, muffled crackling sound *Cinder- a small piece of partly burnt coal or wood that has stopped giving off flames but still has combustible matter in it *Probing- inquiring closely *Muddled- not arranged in order; untidy *Morbidly-(with reference to a disturbing or unpleasant interest or activity) in an abnormal & unhealthy manner *Sordidly- meanly selfish, self-seeking *Shrewish- (of a woman) bad-tempered or aggressively assertive *Dismal- causing a mood of gloom or  depression *Wince- make a slight involuntary grimace or shrinking movement of the body out of pain or distress *Idyllic- like an idyll; extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque *Resentful- feeling or expressing bitterness or indignation at having been treated unfairly *Broodingly- preoccupied with depressing, morbid, or painful memories or thoughts *Blind- a screen for a window, especially one on a roller or made of slats *Resuscitate- revive someone from the unconsciousness *Ether- used as an anaesthetic *Haste- excessive speed or urgency of movement or action; hurry *Frantic- conducted in a hurried, excited, and disorganized way *Ebbing- (of an emotion or quality) gradually decrease *Hypodermic- relating to the region immediately beneath the skin *Unsparingly-  generous *Flaccid- lifeless, Soft and hanging *Sodden- saturated with liquid, especially water; soaked through *Tallow- the hard fat of animals melted and used to make soap, candles etc. *Hastily- with excessive speed or urgency; hurriedly *Slashed- slit *Lolled- hang loosely M*Haggard- looking exhausted and unwell, especially from fatigue, worry, or suffering or tired *Asphyxia- a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death; suffocation *Pallida - suffocation or unconscious condition caused by lack of oxygen and excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, accompanied by paleness of the skin, weak pulse, and loss of reflexes *Asphyxia Pallida – An abnormal state of a newborn baby in which it appears pale and numb *Faltered- lose strength or momentum *Pallid- (of a person's face) pale, typically because of poor health *Linoleum – A material consisting of a canvas backing thickly coated with a preparation of linseed oil and  powdered cork, used especially as a floor covering. *Ewer- a large jug with a wide mouth, formerly used for carrying water *Spent – Tired *Oblivious – Unaware  of or not concerned about what is happening around one

*Plunging- falling steeply *Plunge – Sink *Stark- complete *Consternation- a feeling of anxiety or dismay, typically at something unexcited *Draggled- dirty or wet, typically from being trailed through mud or water *Stumbling- tripping or losing balance while walking; moving with difficulty *Sopping- saturated with liquid; wet through *Whimpered- say something in a low, feeble voice that expresses fear, pain, or unhappiness *Pigmy- little (here) *Convulsive- violent; uncontrollable *Heave- produce a sigh *Giddy- weak, dizzy *Unavailing- achieving little *Iridescent- showing luminous colours that seem to change when seen from different angles *Scullery- a small kitchen or room at the back of a house used for washing dishes and other dirty household work.

SUMMARY:-

* It is the story of birth of two – the birth of a child and the birth of a wonderful, dedicated physician who brought the stillborn baby to life. The story expresses the anxiety, dedication towards profession and gratitude towards God. 

*Dr. Andrew Manson is  a struggling (fresher) medical practitioner who handles a complicated child delivery case in the most admirable way . He applies his medical text book knowledge as well as determination.

*One night he returned late, after having a disappointing meeting with his girl friend Christine, He found a man, Joe Morgan, was waiting for him. Morgan who was full of stress and anxiety at that time. Morgan's wife Susan was about to give birth to a baby tonight. After 20 years of wait, Morgan couple were expecting their first baby. 

* Though exhausted, Dr. Andrew Manson agreed to attend the case. At the patient's house, Andrew saw that the lady was being attended to by a midwife and lady's mother........an elderly woman.

*He reassured Mrs. Morgan’s mother and told her both the mother and the baby would be fine.

*Andrew waited in the kitchen reflecting on the information he gleaned earlier in the night which showed him that most marriages were dismal failures. However, he felt Christine was an exception.

*Mrs. Morgan was reluctant to take anesthesia as it might harm her baby. It reflected the lack of complete faith in modern medicine at that time.

*It took hours when the process of child birth began. Finally  a child was born towards the dawn. But the child was still born.

*When Andrew gazed at the lifeless form, he shivered with horror . Then he looked at the mother. She was unconscious and required immediate attention. Andrew was in a dilemma- whom should he attend to first: the child or the mother?

*Andrew gave the child to the nurse and turned his attention instinctively to the mother. 

*He handed the baby over to the midwife. The midwife was thoroughly frightened. Taking the still child, she had dumped it beneath the bed amongst soaked and sodden newspaper.

*Gradually, mother's heart strengthened, she was out of danger and Andrew could now leave her to attend to the baby. He asked about the child. He pulled out the child.

* The child was perfectly formed. Andrew could understand that it was a case of suffocation due to lack of oxygen and excess of carbon-dioxide in the blood. He quickly diagnosed the most probable cause for the still birth i.e. Asphyxia, pallida.

*Andrew started giving the necessary treatment. He did not lose heart. The midwife told him repeatedly that it was a still born child. But Andrew did not listen to her. He kept on dipping the child's limp body in hot and cold water alternatively to shock the body and get the heart to jump start, then rubbed the baby’s body with a rough towel crushing and releasing the little chest as a form of CPR. (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation........a life saving procedure that is done when someone's breathing or heartbeat stopped. CPR is the combination of rescue breathing and chest compressions.)

*After exhaustive efforts, a miracle happened. The child sighed and started crying. Its white skin turned pink and he was no longer still born. Andrew redoubles his efforts till the baby was breathing freely and safe. It was the birth of a baby, birth of a hope for the Morgans and rebirth of Mrs. Morgan.

* At last Andrew heaved a sigh of relief. He handed the child to the nurse. He told the entire story to Joe standing outside and walked down the street.

* The dawn was breaking by the time Andrew started towards home. He was full of gratitude towards God and felt a deep sense of satisfaction. He realized that he had truly saved a life that night fulfilling the purpose of his profession. For the first time in his life, he felt he had done something ‘real’, something worthwhile. It was the birth of his new life as a doctor.

Important questions:-

1. “I will not come in,” he said, and his voice showed signs of strain. “But man, I know ye will do well for us.” Why is the speaker not intending to go in?

OR

Why did Joe Morgan stop short at his own doorstep?

Answer:- Joe Morgan was an anxious husband of the woman who was about to give birth after their 20 years of marriage. He was not prepared to see his wife labor so he was not intending to go in with the doctor. He had his trust placed on the doctor for safe delivery of the child.

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

0R

Comment on the behaviour and role of the midwife attending on Susan Morgan.

Answer:- The midwife in the story was doubtful about the young doctor’s success throughout the story. She was skeptic about modern medicine on one side and quite worried about the glowing demand for modern doctors in front of her eyes, quite experienced and not ready to embrace this change. Her act of placing the stillborn under the cot amongst the sodden newspaper reflected that she was not sure about the rescue and revival method of modern medicine.

3. Why was Susan’s case one that called all Dr. Manson’s attention?

ANSWER:- Susan Morgan was about to give birth 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 family had been awaiting this childbirth and therefore everyone in the family trusted Dr. Manson’s potential and skill for the baby’s safety.

4. Why was Dr. Andrew Manson’s mind heavy when he rushed to attend a case at Joe’s Morgan’s?

ANSWER:-Dr. Manson was already a lot of exhausted, physically from his work and mentally as well. He was considering marriage doubtfully. He was worried about his own marriage with Christine that was yet to happen on one side and on the other he had seen the shattered and meaningless married life of his friends.

5. What set of character traits of Joe Morgan do you find interesting?

ANSWER:- The two men walked in silence until they reached the door of Number 12, then Joe drew short at his own doorstep. They had their reason for being silent.

“I’ll not come in,” he said, and his voice showed signs of strain.

“But, man, I know ye’ll do well for us.” This reflects his optimism and faith in the doctor.

6. What for did Joe Morgan’s mother offer to make a cup of tea for Dr. Manson?                                                                                  

OR 

How can you say that Morgan’s mother was very diplomatic and clever?  

OR                                                                               

“Don’t fret, mother, I’ll not run away”. Why do you think Andrew say so?

ANSWER:- Susan’s mother was apprehensive. She feared that Dr. Manson would leave upon an excuse and would not return seeing that the case was complicated. To keep the doctor at home, she offered him a cup of tea.

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

ANSWER:- Susan wanted to become a mother. It took twenty years that her dream to be a mother was going to come true. She only wished if she could leave behind her a baby for the family even at the cost of her own life. 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 her own labor pain.

8 . As he gazed at the still form a shiver of horror passed over Andrew. Comment.

ANSWER:- The doctor promised that the mother and the baby would be safe. His face, heated with his own exertions, chilled suddenly. He was torn between his desire to try to resuscitate the child, and his obligation to save the mother, who was herself in a desperate state. The dilemma was so urgent he did not solve it consciously and instantly. That is why a shiver of horror passed over Andrew when he gazed at the stillborn baby.

9. Give an account of the efforts made by Andrew to revive the stillborn baby.

ANSWER:-A shiver of horror passed over Andrew as he saw the still form of the newborn. Though it was perfectly formed, its limp warm body was white. The whiteness meant suffocation caused due to lack of oxygen. Andrew laid the child upon a blanket and gave it artificial respiration. Then he dipped the child alternately in hot and cold water. Now, the child was quite slippery. He rubbed it with a rough towel. Then he pressed and released his chest till it heaved up. It was followed by other heaves. Andrew redoubled his efforts. The child started gasping. A bubble of mucus came from one tiny nostril. The pale skin turned pink. The limbs were no longer boneless. His head did not lie back spinelessly. The child gave a cry. It came alive.

10. What had Andrew been thinking about? How would you like to describe the state of his thoughts? 

OR

What was Andrew’s view of marriage? Why was he resentful and confused?

ANSWER:- Andrew had been thinking about the unsuccessful married lives of some persons he knew. Bramwell was foolishly devoted to a woman who deceived him immorally. Edward Page was bound to quarrelsome Blodwen. Denny was living unhappily apart from his wife. On the other hand, for Andrew marriage was a peaceful and beautiful state. He loved Christine. His thoughts were muddled (confused). The conflict between his steady mind and overflowing heart left him resentful and confused.

ANSWER  THE  FOLLOWING  QUESTIONS:-

1.‘He had no premonition that this night call would prove unusual, still less that it would influence his whole future in Blaenelly.’ Comment.                                                         

OR                

After reading the whole story, how do you explain the line, ‘He had no premonition that this night call would prove unusual?

2. Dr. Andrew’s primary concern was the mother – not the child. Do you agree with him?.

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

4.Bring out the clash between the experienced midwife and the professional doctor.                      Hints:-Seeing all this,the midwife repeated what she believed to be right -“For mercy’s sake,Doctor, it is stillborn".

5.What made Andrew exclaim, ‘I have done something; Oh God!’?

OR                                                                                  

Justify the title of the story, ‘Birth’.

OR

What does the story highlight about the essence of true happiness and fulfillment through Dr. Andrew’s experience? Discuss with reference to the story. 

Or                                                                                     

The greatest lesson, we can learn from Dr. Andrew’s life is, ‘Never give up’. Do you agree? Give reasons in support of your answer.

6.Write the character sketch of Dr. Andrew.

OR                                                                                    

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

OR

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

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

8.There is a great difference between textbook medicine and the world of a practicing physician. Discuss with special reference of the story Birth.

9. Story the Birth is the story of the birth of three persons. Elaborate.

(NOTE:- DON’T SKIP QUESTIONS GIVEN IN YOUR PRESCRIBED TEXT BOOK.)