- “Don’t fret mother, I’ll not run away.” Why do you think Andrew say so?
- “I have done something: Oh, God! I’ve done something real at last” Why does Andrew say this? What does it mean?
- Compare and contrast Andrew’s emotional, mental and physical state at the beginning of the story and at the end.
- Describe briefly the efforts made by the doctor to revive the child.
- Describe the condition of the child when the doctor pulled it out.
- Describe thoughts and feelings of Andrew Manson as he sat dozing by the kitchen fire?
- Do you know of any incident when someone has been brought back to life from the brink of death through medical help. Discuss medical procedures such as organ transplant and organ regeneration that are used to save human life.
- Dr. Andrew tried an entirely new method but he managed to save the life of the child. What was the method which was the last resort for him?
- Give a brief account of the efforts made by Andrew to revive the still born baby.
- How did Andrew assess that night’s work?
- How did Andrew react to the first glimpse of the success of his efforts to help the stillborn child came alive?
- How was the doctor’s dilemma solved?
- There lies a great difference between textbook medicine and world of practising physician. Discuss.
- What dilemma did Andrew face when the child was born.
- What disturbed Andrew out of his thoughts as he sat brooding by the kitchen fire?
- What impression do you form of Andrew Manson on the basis of the story, ‘Birth’?
- What was Andrew’s view of marriage? Why was he resentful and confused.
- What was the child suffering from?
- What was the state of the room after the resuscitation of mother and child?
- Where did Joe lead Andrew? Why did he not go in with the doctor?
- Who was Joe Morgan? Why had he been waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson?
- Why did a shiver of horror pass over Andrew?
- Why did Andrew say “I’ll fetch my bag later, nurse ?”
- Why did Joe Morgan call on the doctor?
- Why did Mrs. Morgan’s mother offer to make a cup of tea for the doctor?
- Why did the doctor decide to stay there until everything was over, though he knew there would be a period of waiting?
- Why does Andrew comment that he had done something ‘real at last’ in Blaenelly?
- Why was Andrew Manson called? How did he react to the call of duty?
- Why was Andrew Manson torn between two desires? How did he resolve this dilemma?
- Why was Joe Morgan waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson and what was Dr. Andrew’s response?
- Why was the doctor in dilemma?
- Why was the mid-wife frightened when the doctor asked about the child?
