Class 11 English Chapter 7 Birth

Notes on Birth by A.J. Cronin is nothing less than a little treasure for your Class 11 English prep. This story isn’t just about a doctor delivering a baby; it’s about courage, patience and never giving up even when the situation looks impossible.

You really don’t need to stress because with these notes, you’ve found the best companion to score well and feel confident!

Birth Summary

“Birth” is an excerpt from A.J. Cronin’s novel The Citadel. It narrates the story of a young and dedicated doctor Andrew Manson, who plays a crucial role in reviving a stillborn baby. The chapter highlights the themes of duty, hope, determination and selfless service of doctors.

• Andrew’s Exhaustion: Andrew Manson returns late at night after an argument with his girlfriend, Christine. Despite his tiredness and emotional stress, he is called to attend to a patient, Joe Morgan’s wife, who is about to give birth after 20 years of childless marriage.

• The Long Wait: At the Morgans’ house Andrew notices the deep anxiety of the family. The delivery is difficult and prolonged. Andrew stays determined, keeping in mind the hope the family has pinned on this child.

• The Delivery and Shocking Discovery: Finally, the baby is born but shows no signs of life. At the same time, the mother is in a critical condition. Andrew first tends to the mother, stabilizing her with his medical skills. Then he turns his full attention to the lifeless child.

• The Struggle to Save the Baby: Andrew recalls a medical case he once studied. He improvises by placing the baby in cold and hot water alternately and rubbing it vigorously with a rough towel. Despite repeated failures Andrew refuses to give up.‍
• Success at Last: After relentless effort, the baby suddenly starts breathing and crying. Andrew is overwhelmed with relief and joy. He feels he has achieved a great victory in his profession.

Character Analysis of the Story - Birth Class 11 Notes

Let us analyze each character of the story.

1. Dr. Andrew Manson

• Dedicated and Selfless: Despite being tired after a long day and emotionally disturbed after an argument with his girlfriend, Andrew still attends to Joe Morgan’s wife with full sincerity.
• Calm and Determined: During the critical delivery, he remains composed and determined, handling both the mother and the stillborn child with great care.
• Compassionate and Hopeful: He feels the weight of the family’s expectations and does not give up, even when the child appears lifeless. His compassion pushes him to fight harder.
• Professional and Skilled: His medical knowledge and quick decision-making (using alternate hot and cold water) highlight his ability as a doctor.
• Heroic Figure: He symbolizes the ideal doctor, one who serves humanity with perseverance and empathy.

2. Joe Morgan

• Loving and Caring Husband: Joe waits outside anxiously while his wife struggles inside. His concern reflects his deep love.
• Patient and Supportive: He does not interfere with Andrew’s work, showing faith in the doctor’s ability.
• Hopeful Father: After 20 years of childless marriage, Joe’s entire life seems centered on this moment, making him symbolic of parental hope and longing.

3. Mrs. Morgan (the Mother)

• Symbol of Strength: Despite a prolonged and painful labor, she endures bravely.
• Silent Sacrifice: Her struggle represents the sacrifices mothers make in bringing life into the world.
• Symbol of Hope: The fact that she gives birth after 20 years makes her story one of patience and unwavering hope.

4. The Newborn Baby

• Representation of Life and Hope: Initially stillborn, the baby’s revival becomes a symbol of perseverance and miracle.
• Emotional Turning Point: The child’s first cry brings relief, joy and triumph, showing the power of determination and compassion.

5. The Morgan Family

• Anxious and Supportive: They wait anxiously outside, symbolizing the emotional stake of the family in childbirth.‍
• Silent Presence: Though they do not actively intervene, their quiet waiting emphasizes the importance of the baby to the entire family.

Line by Line Explanation -  Birth Notes and Summary

From “Though it was nearly midnight when Andrew reached Bryngower…” to “…influence his whole future in Blaenelly.”

Andrew, a young doctor, returns home late at night, exhausted and troubled after a quarrel with his girlfriend. Just then, Joe Morgan, a miner, anxiously requests him to attend his wife, who is expecting her first child after 20 years of marriage. Andrew agrees, though he has no idea that this case will be a turning point in his career.

Main Point: The story begins with Andrew being called for a critical delivery case, setting the stage for a life-changing experience.

• From “The two men walked in silence…” to “…that it would harm the baby.”

Inside Morgan’s house Andrew meets Mrs. Morgan’s elderly mother and a midwife, who are tense but hopeful. Andrew realizes he must wait through a long night before the delivery. Though mentally disturbed, he decides to stay.

While waiting, he reflects on unhappy marriages of his acquaintances and feels torn about his own relationship. The old mother reminds him that Susan (Mrs. Morgan) doesn’t want chloroform if it might hurt the child, showing the family’s deep desire for the baby.

Main Point: The anxiety of the family and Andrew’s inner conflict are revealed, while the mother’s words highlight the importance of the child.

• From “Here the nurse’s voice was heard…” to “…not yet out of the ether, upon her side.”

At last, the delivery begins. It is a long and difficult struggle, but the child is born still and lifeless. Andrew is horrified. At the same time, the mother collapses and is in grave danger. 

He has to make a quick choice. Instinctively, he focuses on reviving the mother first, injecting her with medicine and managing to restore her pulse.

Main Point: The tension rises and Andrew saves the mother first but now faces the greater challenge of the lifeless child.

• From “Where’s the child?” to “…now plunging it into the icy, now into the steaming bath.”

Andrew then searches for the baby, which has been placed under the bed, pale and limp. He realizes it is suffering from asphyxia pallida (lack of oxygen). Remembering a case from his training, he orders basins of hot and cold water and begins an intense, almost desperate resuscitation process alternately plunging the child into hot and cold water, rubbing it and pressing its chest.

Main Point: Andrew shows presence of mind and medical skill, using an unconventional method to attempt saving the baby.

• From “Fifteen minutes passed…” to “…her lips moved without sound. She was praying.”

For nearly half an hour Andrew struggles relentlessly, though the baby remains lifeless. Exhausted, drenched in sweat and almost hopeless, he still refuses to give up. The midwife pleads with him to stop, but he continues. 

Finally, the baby gasps, coughs and starts breathing. Its body regains color and then comes the much-awaited cry. The nurse sobs with relief and the grandmother prays silently, overwhelmed with gratitude.

Main Point: Andrew’s persistence pays off the miracle of new life fills the room with relief and joy.

• From “Mechanically Andrew wrung out his sleeve…” to “…I’ve done something real at last.”

Completely exhausted but deeply satisfied Andrew leaves the house. He tells Joe Morgan that both mother and child are safe. As he walks in the early morning streets with the miners, he reflects that this is the first time he has done something truly meaningful in his profession.

Main Point: The story ends with Andrew’s sense of fulfillment; he has saved two lives and proved his worth as a doctor.

Themes of the Story - Birth Class 11 English

Below are the main themes of the story Birth by A.J. Cronin.

1. Dedication and Duty of a Doctor: The story highlights the selfless devotion of Andrew Manson, who, despite being tired and emotionally disturbed, gives his best to save both mother and child. His persistence shows how doctors place their duty above personal comfort.
2. Perseverance and Determination: Andrew refuses to give up even when the newborn shows no signs of life for a long time. His continuous efforts demonstrate the power of determination in overcoming seemingly hopeless situations.
3. Hope and Faith: Joe Morgan, his wife and the family place immense hope in the birth of the child after 20 years. Their faith in the doctor and their longing for the child underline the strength of human hope during difficult times.
4. The Miracle of Life: The revival of the stillborn baby symbolizes the beauty and value of life. It shows that even in the face of despair, life can triumph, bringing joy and fulfillment.
5. Professional Fulfillment: Andrew feels for the first time that he has achieved something “real” in his profession. This theme reflects the deep satisfaction that comes from hard work, sincerity and success in one’s duty.
6. Sacrifice and Love in Motherhood: Susan Morgan endures great pain and even before delivery, she insists she doesn’t want chloroform if it might harm the child. This shows the selfless love and sacrifice of a mother.
7. Conflict between Emotion and Reason: At the beginning Andrew is emotionally disturbed by his personal life, but during the case, his reason and professional instincts guide him. This theme shows the struggle between emotions and duty and how responsibility must win in critical moments.

Conclusion

So, dear students, take a moment to smile, you now hold in your hands the best possible guide to Birth. Think of these notes as your secret weapon: they simplify the story, highlight its themes and make every detail crystal clear. 

No more confusion, no more stress before exams. Instead, you’ll feel like you are walking into your test with complete confidence, because you already know the plot, the characters and the deeper meanings of the story. 

So, trust yourself, keep revising smartly and go shine in your exams. With this treasure, success is already half yours.

FAQs

1. Why was Joe Morgan waiting for Dr. Andrew Manson late at night?

Joe Morgan and his wife, Susan, were expecting their first child after twenty years of marriage. Joe was waiting outside the doctor's house to bring him home because Susan had gone into labour, and the couple was extremely anxious about the safe delivery of their long-awaited child.

2. What was the "shiver of horror" that Andrew felt during the delivery?

After a long and difficult labour, the baby was finally born, but it appeared to be stillborn - lifeless, limp, and white. This sight, combined with the fact that Susan Morgan was also in a critical, sinking condition, caused Andrew a "shiver of horror" as he realized he had to choose which life to try and save first.

3. How did Dr. Andrew manage to revive the lifeless baby?

Andrew diagnosed the baby with asphyxia pallida (suffocation due to lack of oxygen). He used a special resuscitation method he remembered from a past case:

• He alternately dipped the baby into basins of icy cold and steaming hot water.
• He then rubbed the child’s body with a rough towel and applied artificial respiration by pressing and releasing the chest.
• After nearly half an hour of effort, the baby finally gasped and gave a cry.

4. Why did Andrew say, "I’ve done something real at last"?

Andrew felt a profound sense of achievement because he had successfully saved two lives against all odds. Before this night, he had been feeling disillusioned and tired, but the successful revival of the child made him feel that his medical training and instincts had finally served a higher, "real" purpose beyond just textbook knowledge.

5. What are the central themes of the story "Birth"?

The story explores several key themes, including:

• Perseverance: Andrew’s refusal to give up even when the midwife thought it was hopeless.
• Professional Duty: The responsibility of a doctor to prioritize patients despite personal emotional fatigue.
• Textbook vs. Practical Knowledge: The difference between theoretical learning and the quick, instinctive decision-making required in real-life emergencies