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Aj Cronin The Birth

The document explores A.J. Cronin's story 'The Birth,' which is an extract from his novel 'The Citadel,' focusing on a young doctor named Andrew who faces a life-and-death situation during a difficult childbirth. It highlights themes of dedication, emotional turmoil, and the challenges faced by medical practitioners. The narrative emphasizes Andrew's struggle to save both the mother and her stillborn child, ultimately showcasing his determination and instinct in a critical moment.

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0 views19 pages

Aj Cronin The Birth

The document explores A.J. Cronin's story 'The Birth,' which is an extract from his novel 'The Citadel,' focusing on a young doctor named Andrew who faces a life-and-death situation during a difficult childbirth. It highlights themes of dedication, emotional turmoil, and the challenges faced by medical practitioners. The narrative emphasizes Andrew's struggle to save both the mother and her stillborn child, ultimately showcasing his determination and instinct in a critical moment.

Uploaded by

mohammed.adeeb9632
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Exploring "The

Birth" by A.J.
Cronin
Discover the captivating story behind "The Birth" by A.J.
Cronin and delve into its rich themes, characters, and writing
style

By Mohammad Adeeb
A.J. Cronin: A Brief
Overview
A.J. Cronin was a Scottish novelist and physician. He authored
numerous books, including "Hatter's Castle" (1931), "The Stars
Look Down" (1935), and "The Citadel" (1937), which is widely
considered his masterpiece.
Early Life and Education
Family Background Medical School

Cronin was born to a Despite his family's


poor family near financial struggles,
Cardross, Scotland, in Cronin was able to
1896. He was the only attend medical school
child of a Protestant at the University of
mother and a Catholic Glasgow.
father.
Early Writing Career

First Novels Success Adaptations

After the war, Cronin began Cronin's second novel, Several of Cronin's novels
writing novels. His first "Three Loves" (1932), was were adapted into films
book, "Hatter's Castle", was also successful. He quickly and TV series.
published in 1931. gained a reputation as a
gifted storyteller.
THE BIRTH
Introduction to the
central characters :-
The five central characters in the
story ‘Birth’ are

 Joe Morgan
 His wife Susan
 his old mother-in-law,
 A stout midwife
 Dr Andrew.
‘Birth’ is an extract from British writer A.J. Cronin’s novel ‘The
Citadel’. It tells the story of a young doctor named Andrew who
had just finished his medical school and had started out as a
practitioner under Dr Edward Page. He lived in the small mining
town of Blandly. On a particular evening, returning after a
disappointing night with his girlfriend Christine, he was
intercepted by Joe Morgan. Joe was a worker at the mines and his
wife was having their first child after nearly twenty years of
marriage. Andrew, who is already preoccupied with thoughts
about his relationship with Christine, finds himself in a strenuous
state of anxiety and frenzy as he tries to save the stillborn baby
 Andrew was returning from a date
with his girlfriend when he found Joe
Morgan waiting for him outside his
house.
 It was nearly midnight and Joe’s wife
was about to give birth.
 Andrew was taken to the bedroom
which was small in size and poorly lit
by an oil lamp.

 Mrs Morgan’s mother, an old woman,


was wise enough to know the
complications of the situation.
 . She knew it was going to be a long
night and did not want the doctor to
leave at any point of time.

 Andrew drank the tea downstairs


and checked on Mrs. Morgan after an
hour. During this long wait, his head
was filled with dim thoughts about
marriage
 He thought of famous personalities
like Bramwell and Edward Page who
had unpleasant experiences in
relationships and marriage.

 His thoughts were unhappy and


while he was brooding over his
girlfriend Christine
 Mrs. Morgan’s mother informed him
that Susan did not want to be put
under anaesthetic. Andrew
convinced her that it was not
harmful at all.
 The midwife called for Andrew at
half-past three. He thought he might
as well start working on the process
of delivery. The labour went on for a
long one hour. The child was born at
dawn but was stillborn.
 Andrew felt a chill of horror run over
him. The mother was also in a fragile
state.
 He did not know whom to attend first
and let his instincts take over the
situation. He gave the child to the
nurse and injected medicine into Mrs
Morgan and tried fiercely to revive
her flaccid body. Mrs Morgan
regained herself after a few minutes.
 Andrew wanted to attend to the
stillborn child next. The midwife had
hidden the baby boy under the bed.
Andrew lifted the boy from the
newspapers where he was kept.
 Andrew began to analyse the
situation and thought of different
medical conditions that might lead
the child into this condition.
 His mind instinctively ran back to a
case in the Samaritan. He frantically
ordered the midwife to bring hot and
cold water and basins.
 He prepared two basins – one with
cold water and the other with hot
water
 Then he dipped the baby into the
basins alternately. Mrs Morgan’s
mother and the midwife were looking
at him in utter shock and
bewilderment

 There seemed to be no change in the


baby’s physiological conditions.
 The midwife begged him to stop, but
he did not heed her and went for a
last try – pressing the boy’s little
chest to get breath into his limp
body
 Finally, a miracle happened and the
baby came to life. This experience
was so stirring that it almost made
Andrew faint.

 The midwife sobbed hysterically


while Mrs Morgan prayed to God
silently.
 Overwhelmed by the strenuous
experience, Andrew put on his jacket
and went out of the room

 He drank some water in the scullery


and went outside to find Joe sitting
with a tense expression. He
announced to him that both the child
and the mother were all right.

 Andrew walked along the street with


other miners he could not help
thinking that he had done something
real at last.
conclusion
 Birth shows us how medical practitioners use their knowledge and
presence of mind to deal with life-threatening emergency situations.
Andrew’s endeavour to bring back the child, despite being
discouraged by the midwife, gives us an idea of how dedication and
correct judgement can change outcomes. Andrew was new to his
field, but that instinct for saving someone was bigger than his fear of
not understanding the situation at hand clearly. The story also reflects
the kind of guilt and emotional turmoil doctors go through when they
are responsible for saving someone’s life.
Questions

Question 1.
What dilemma did Andrew face when the
child was born?

Question 2.
What were Andrew’s thoughts after he had
successfully overcome the crisis?

Question 3.
Give the character sketch of Andrew Manson
Answers
Answer 1.
Andrew was in a dilemma whether to save the child or the mother. The
mother was critical so he gave the child to the nurse and turned to the
mother.
Answer 2.
Andrew was grateful to God. He was satisfied and happy that he had
done something. His heart was filled with the feeling of having achieved
something great.
Answer 3.
Andrew Manson was a dedicated doctor who believed in saving the life
of his patients. He went beyond the normal expectations from a doctor
to save the wife and the baby of Joe Morgan. He used unconventional
methods to save the baby’s life by immersing him alternatively in
steaming and icy waters. He did not give up till he had saved both the
mother and the child.

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