The Snake and The Mirror Summary & Notes for Class 9 English

Ever had one of those moments where you're feeling super confident, maybe even a little too full of yourself and then life hits you with a reality check? That’s exactly what happens in The Snake and the Mirror. It’s a story where pride meets panic, and a mirror, of all things, plays witness to it all.

We meet a young doctor who's busy daydreaming about his looks, future plans, and the perfect partner, until a snake drops in (literally) and flips everything upside down. What follows is a mix of suspense, humor, and a gentle reminder that nature doesn’t care about your ego.

Notes & Study Material PDF

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In these notes, we’ve unpacked the chapter in the clearest way possible, so whether you’re revising last minute or just trying to figure out what the mirror really symbolizes, you’ll find all the answers right here. Simple words, smart points, and no stress.

The Snake and the Mirror Summary Class 9

"The Snake and the Mirror" is a poignant tale that explores themes of fear, loneliness, and the unexpected twists of life. It reminds us that sometimes, in our solitude, we encounter unexpected companions that teach us valuable lessons about ourselves and our fears. According to latest cbse class 9 english syllabus this blog will help you in understanding everything about the snake and the mirror summary and notes.

1. A Simple Mirror, A Startling Encounter

In "The Snake and the Mirror," we meet a young man who works as a doctor. He lives alone in a small room with only a mirror hanging on the wall. This mirror becomes his only companion, reflecting his solitude and his thoughts.

2. A Night of Unexpected Events

One night, after returning from work, he notices a snake slithering into his room through a hole. Shocked and frightened, he freezes in fear. The snake, however, seems more curious than threatening, exploring the room with a calm demeanor.

3. Confronting Fear and Reality

The doctor, paralyzed with fear at first, eventually realizes that the snake is harmless and poses no immediate danger. He observes the snake's movements with a mix of fascination and caution, feeling a strange connection with this unexpected visitor.

4. A Moment of Revelation

As dawn breaks, the snake quietly retreats back through the hole, disappearing into the darkness. Left alone again, the doctor reflects on the night's events. He understands the symbolic significance of the snake and the mirror, confronting his fears, facing loneliness, and finding solace in unexpected moments.

Character Analysis - Class 9 The Snake and the Mirror Summary

Let us get a detailed account of each character in the story:

1. The Doctor (Narrator)

• Main Character and Narrator of the story.
• A young, unmarried doctor who lives alone in a small rented room.
• He is vain and self-absorbed at the beginning, admiring his looks in the mirror and dreaming about marrying a rich and beautiful doctor.
• He imagines changing his appearance to look more attractive showing his pride and overconfidence.
• But when the snake appears, his behavior changes completely. He becomes helpless and terrified, frozen with fear.
• This shows a contrast in his personality, from being proud and self-centered to being humble and powerless.
• In the end, he learns an important lesson: human beings are not in control of everything, and life can be unpredictable.

2. The Snake

• The turning point character of the story.
• It suddenly appears in the doctor’s room and even rests on his shoulder, shocking and terrifying him.
• The snake seems calm and curious, looking at itself in the mirror, much like the doctor did earlier.
• It doesn’t harm the doctor and eventually leaves quietly.
• The snake acts as a symbol of fate or reality, reminding the doctor that he is not as powerful or important as he thinks.

3. The Listener/ Friend (to whom the story is narrated)

• This character does not speak much in the story but is present throughout as the one hearing the doctor’s story.
• His reactions provide humor and engagement, especially at the end when he asks what happened to the doctor’s belongings.
• He represents the reader’s perspective and helps move the story along with simple, curious questions.

Line by Line Explanation - The Snake and the Mirror Summary Class 9

To understand the story better, let us understand the story line by line:

1. From “Has a snake ever coiled itself…” to “…my life companion was a black one.”

The narrator begins with a question to grab attention and then starts telling a real incident from his past when he lived alone in a small rented room. The room was basic, with just one piece of furniture, a chair, a table, and a mirror. He talks about how he admired himself in the mirror and dreamed about marrying a rich woman doctor.

Main Point: The narrator sets the stage for the story and introduces himself as a vain, lonely doctor.

2. From “One hot summer night…” to “…and a full-blooded cobra!”

One night, as he sat relaxing and thinking about his future, suddenly a cobra snake fell from the roof and landed on his shoulder. The situation became tense and frightening.

Main Point: The calm scene turns dramatic as the snake suddenly appears, creating suspense.

3. From “The hood of the snake…” to “…what could I do?”

The cobra slowly coiled itself on the narrator’s shoulder and moved its hood near his face. The doctor was filled with fear. He didn’t move even a little. All his pride and plans disappeared. He felt helpless.

Main Point: The narrator experiences extreme fear and realizes how powerless he is in front of danger.

4. From “I forgot my danger…” to “…gently left the room.”

Surprisingly, the snake turns toward the mirror and seems to admire itself. It slowly slides off the narrator’s body and moves toward the table. Taking advantage of this moment, the doctor runs out of the room.

Main Point: The story takes an unexpected turn as the snake gets distracted, and the doctor escapes.

5. From “I ran till I reached…” to the end

Later, the doctor stays at a friend’s house that night. When he returns the next day, all his things are stolen, only the dirty vest is left behind. The story ends with a humorous twist.

Main Point: The ending adds humor to the story, showing how the terrifying experience turned into a funny memory.

Central Ideas of The Snake and the Mirror

Following are the central ideas that shall help you in writing answers in the exams.

1. Human Vanity vs. Reality

The story shows how the narrator, a doctor, is proud of his looks and dreams of success. But when faced with danger (the snake), all his pride vanishes. This highlights the contrast between how we see ourselves and how powerless we can be in real situations.

2. Fear and Helplessness:

When the snake lands on the doctor’s shoulder, he becomes completely still and scared. The story shows how fear can overpower all thoughts and actions, making a person feel totally helpless.

3. Humor in Everyday Life:

Despite the serious situation, the story is full of humor, in how the narrator talks about himself, his dreams, and the funny ending with the theft. This makes the story light-hearted and enjoyable while still meaningful.

Themes of the Story - Class 9 English The Snake and The Mirror

You need to get an idea of the themes of the story to write better answers in the exams:

1. Pride and Humility

The narrator starts off feeling proud of his appearance and future. But the presence of the snake makes him humble and reminds him he is not in control of everything.

2. The Unexpected Nature of Life

The story teaches us that life can change in an instant. A peaceful evening turns into a terrifying one because of a snake showing how unpredictable life is.

3. Survival Instincts

The story explores how humans behave in life-threatening situations. The doctor forgets everything and focuses only on staying alive.

4. Irony and Satire:

There’s dramatic irony in the story, a man who considers himself wise and powerful is scared into silence by a snake. The humor and irony add depth and make the story more engaging.

Conclusion

And that’s a wrap on The Snake and the Mirror, a room, a mirror, a snake, and a whole lot of unexpected self-reflection (literally and emotionally). Who thought a quiet evening could turn into a full-blown face-off between ego and a cobra?

If this blog helped you untangle the tension or gave your last-minute prep a boost, we’ll call that a sharp escape, unlike the doctor’s vest, which sadly didn’t make it. Moral of the story? Stay grounded, don’t flex too hard in front of a mirror, and always expect life to throw curveballs, sometimes with fangs.

Board exams might feel like a close encounter, but unlike the snake, they’re not out to get you. Stay calm, revise smart, and you’ve got this, no need to run out of the room in fear.

FAQs

Q1. Who tells the story in “The Snake and the Mirror”?

Ans. It is told by a doctor who shares an incident from his younger days. He remembers how a snake once entered his room.

Q2. What is the main idea of the story?

Ans. The story shows how people can be full of pride but lose it in a moment of fear. It also shows how quickly situations can change.

Q3. Why did the doctor keep looking into the mirror?

Ans. He liked looking at himself and thought he looked good. He was proud of his appearance at that time.

Q4. When did the doctor feel helpless?

Ans. He felt helpless when the snake climbed onto his arm and sat still. He was too scared to move or call for help.

Q5. What lesson does the story give?

Ans. It teaches us that pride is useless when real danger comes. We should stay simple and not think too much of ourselves.