I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30-40 words).
“The sound was a familiar one.”
The doctor heard a thud sound, which he thought was a rat moving around in the room. He heard it twice—first when he sat down and then when he got up. The sound stopped once he saw the snake because his attention shifted entirely to the snake on his shoulder.
Two Important Decisions
While looking into the mirror, the doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to enhance his appearance. He also resolved to always smile to look more attractive.
Doctor’s Opinion about Himself
(i) Initially, the doctor smiled at his reflection, admiring his good looks and intelligence.
(ii) Later, when he smiled again, it was a weak smile, as his confidence had diminished due to the fear of the snake coiled around his arm. His initial pride shifted to helplessness as he realized his vulnerability in the face of danger.
II. This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way.
The Doctor’s Personality vs. His Ambitions
The doctor is portrayed as a modest, struggling bachelor with limited possessions. However, he dreams of being well-groomed, handsome, and confident, which contrasts sharply with his reality.
Marriage Aspirations vs. Reality
He dreams of marrying a rich, beautiful, and healthy woman, but in reality, he ends up marrying a woman who is neither rich nor beautiful, but a quick-tempered and dominant individual.
Mirror Thoughts vs. Snake Incident Thoughts
When he looks into the mirror, he thinks highly of himself and plans ways to improve his appearance. However, when the snake coils around his arm, he loses all his pride and self-importance, realizing his helplessness.
Thinking about Language
Sentences Indicating Various Emotions
(a) Afraid of the snake: “I was turned to stone.” “I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.”
(b) Proud of his appearance: “I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.”
(c) Sense of humour: “The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.”
(d) No longer afraid: “I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.”
Expressions of Fear
(i) “I was turned to stone.”
(ii) “I sat there holding my breath.”
(iii) “In the light of the lamp I sat there like a statue.”
Meanings of Expressions for Fear
1. “Scared out of my wits” — very frightened.
2. “Got a fright” — frightened by something sudden.
3. “Jumped out of his skin” — very frightened.
4. “Gave me a fright” — made another feel frightened.
5. “Make your hair stand on end” — make someone very scared.
6. “Paralysed with fear” — too scared to move.
7. “Not moving a muscle” — too scared to move.
IV. Reported Questions
Meena asked her friend if she thought their teacher would come that day.
David asked his colleague where he would go that summer.
He asked the little boy why he was studying English.
She asked me when we were going to leave.
Pran asked me if I had finished reading the newspaper.
Seema asked her how long she had lived there.
Sheila asked the children if they were ready to do the work.
Writing
Rewrite as a Frightening Incident
In rewriting the story as a frightening incident, focus on the doctor’s growing fear and terror as the snake coils around his arm. Leave out the humorous observations about his appearance and ambitions, which contrast the fear.
Monkey Story
The monkey in the picture, holding a mirror, seems captivated by its own reflection, perhaps thinking it has found a friend or rival. It might be admiring itself, preening like a person, completely absorbed in its appearance, as though it were the “fairest of them all.”
Translation Comparison
Comparison of Translations
Version A uses the past tense, creating a more narrative feel, while Version B is in the present tense, making the scene feel immediate and vivid.
Version A has longer, flowing sentences, suitable for a narrative, while Version B uses shorter, fragmented sentences, adding a casual tone.
Preferred Translation: This is subjective, but Version B may be preferred for its lively, immediate style, making readers feel as if they are experiencing the scene along with the character.
MCQs of The Snake and the Mirror , A6S7D4
1. What sound did the doctor hear repeatedly in his room?
A. A bird chirping
B. A snake hissing
C. The movement of rats
D. Footsteps outside
Answer: C. The movement of rats
2. How many times did the doctor hear the sound of the rats?
A. Only once
B. Twice
C. Three times
D. Continuously
Answer: D. Continuously
3. What “important” decision did the doctor make while looking into the mirror?
A. To leave his profession
B. To marry a rich woman
C. To shave his head
D. To quit his job Answer: B. To marry a rich woman
4. Why did the doctor smile at himself in the mirror initially?
A. He admired his looks and self-confidence.
B. He found his situation amusing.
C. He was mocking himself.
D. He was scared and trying to stay calm.
Answer: A. He admired his looks and self-confidence.
5. When the snake coiled around his arm, what did the doctor do?
A. He shouted for help.
B. He tried to fight it off.
C. He remained still and quiet.
D. He ran away immediately.
Answer: C. He remained still and quiet.
6. What made the story humorous despite the frightening incident?
A. The doctor’s calmness throughout the event
B. The contrasts between his dreams and the reality he faced
C. The doctor’s ambition and wealth
D. The snake’s friendly behaviour
Answer: B. The contrasts between his dreams and the reality he faced
7. The doctor initially wanted to marry:
A. A kind-hearted woman
B. A young, beautiful, and wealthy woman
C. A woman who would work with him
D. A patient of his
Answer: B. A young, beautiful, and wealthy woman
8. How did the doctor’s thoughts change when he looked in the mirror the second time?
A. He felt proud of himself.
B. He was terrified and prayed for safety.
C. He thought of leaving his profession.
D. He decided to act bravely.
Answer: B. He was terrified and prayed for safety.
9. Which sentence from the text suggests that the doctor was proud of his appearance?
A. “I was turned to stone.”
B. “I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.”
C. “I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!”
D. “The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.”
Answer: B. “I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.”
10. What sentence indicates that the doctor was no longer afraid of the snake?
A. “I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.”
B. “I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.”
C. “I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!”
D. “The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…!” Answer: D. “The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…!”
11. When the doctor looked in the mirror, he was reminded that:
A. He should save more money
B. He had a nice smile
C. He should change his appearance to look more professional
D. He was vulnerable and human
Answer: D. He was vulnerable and human
12. How did the doctor respond when he felt “paralysed with fear”?
A. He ran away
B. He remained still
C. He shouted for help
D. He looked into the mirror
Answer: B. He remained still
13. Which expression best describes the doctor’s attitude toward the snake after the incident?
A. Shocked and traumatized
B. Relieved and humorous about it
C. Angry and upset
D. Sad and thoughtful
Answer: B. Relieved and humorous about it
14. The doctor refers to the snake as “the rascal.” What does this reveal about his character?
A. He holds grudges against others.
B. He has a sense of humour, even in fear.
C. He respects snakes.
D. He is terrified of snakes.
Answer: B. He has a sense of humour, even in fear.
The Snake and the Mirror Extra Question Answers, A6S7D4
One-Mark Questions
What profession does the main character hold? Answer: He is a doctor.
Where was the doctor living when the incident happened? Answer: In a small, rented house.
What was the doctor’s marital status? Answer: He was a bachelor.
What did the doctor initially dream of while looking into the mirror? Answer: Marrying a rich woman with good looks.
What time of day did the incident with the snake occur? Answer: At night.
What animal repeatedly made noise in the doctor’s room? Answer: Rats.
What did the doctor do after hearing the snake’s hiss? Answer: He froze and didn’t move.
Where did the snake finally settle after leaving the doctor? Answer: On the top of a stool near a mirror.
How did the doctor describe his smile in the mirror before the snake appeared? Answer: As an attractive smile.
What did the doctor realize about himself while looking into the mirror? Answer: He admired his looks and felt confident.
What was the doctor wearing when the incident happened? Answer: A vest and a dhoti.
What did the doctor do immediately after the snake left his arm? Answer: He ran out of the house.
What object did the doctor wish he had when the snake appeared? Answer: A prayer book or something to protect himself.
What quality did the doctor appreciate about the snake? Answer: It’s a “sense of cleanliness.”
How does the doctor reflect on the incident after it’s over? Answer: With humour and a sense of irony.
2-3 Mark Questions and Answers
Describe the doctor’s state of mind when he first looks at himself in the mirror. Answer: The doctor was feeling confident and proud of his appearance. He admired his smile, calling it attractive, and dreamed about finding a beautiful, wealthy wife. This confidence, however, quickly changed when he realized how vulnerable he was when the snake appeared.
What significance does the mirror hold in the story? Answer: The mirror serves as a reflection of the doctor’s vanity and self-confidence. When he looks into the mirror, he admires himself and thinks about his future, but as the incident unfolds, he realizes his vulnerability and fears for his life, showing a contrast between his idealism and reality.
How does the doctor react to the snake, and what does this reveal about his character? Answer: The doctor initially freezes in fear, remaining completely still. He prays silently and makes no sudden movements, showing his composure in a tense moment. This reaction reveals that he can be pragmatic in the face of danger, despite his earlier confidence and vanity.
What is ironic about the doctor’s thoughts on marriage and wealth? Answer: The irony lies in the doctor’s aspirations to marry a wealthy woman and live a life of luxury, but he finds himself in a small, bare room with only necessities. His desires contrast sharply with his current reality, highlighting the humour in his overconfidence.
Explain the contrast between the doctor’s appearance and his situation in life. Answer: Although the doctor takes pride in his appearance, seeing himself as attractive and well-groomed, his living situation is far from luxurious. This contrast emphasizes the gap between his self-image and his actual circumstances, underlining the humorous tone of the story.
What message about human vanity does the story convey? Answer: The story highlights human vanity through the doctor’s obsession with his looks and wealth. However, when he faces a life-threatening situation, his vanity is rendered meaningless. This suggests that external qualities are superficial compared to life’s more profound and humbling experiences.
How does the sound of rats contribute to the atmosphere of the story? Answer: The sound of rats adds an eerie, unsettling atmosphere to the story. It foreshadows the appearance of the snake and creates a sense of unease, making the reader aware of the doctor’s isolation and the vulnerability of his situation.
Discuss the significance of the snake’s “sense of cleanliness” as mentioned by the doctor. Answer: The doctor’s humorous remark about the snake’s “sense of cleanliness” reveals his attempt to downplay the terrifying incident with humour. It shows how he copes with fear and rationalizes the snake’s departure, highlighting his character’s resilience and humour even in a frightening moment.
Why does the doctor feel humiliated after the incident? Answer: The doctor feels humiliated because his sense of confidence and pride in his appearance are shattered by his helplessness in the face of the snake. His superficial dreams and self-image seem trivial compared to the life-threatening encounter, bringing him a humbling realization.
What does the doctor’s reaction after the snake left him reveal about his priorities? Answer: The doctor’s immediate reaction to flee the room after the snake left shows that, ultimately, his survival instincts overpowered his vanity. This reaction reveals that, despite his earlier self-absorption, his instinct to preserve his life took precedence over everything else.
Explain the doctor’s reflection on the incident at the end of the story. Answer: After the incident, the doctor reflects on the experience with a sense of irony and humour. He laughs at his vanity and recognizes how foolish his earlier thoughts about wealth and appearance were. This reflection shows his growth and acceptance of his vulnerabilities.
How does the doctor’s attitude towards the snake change throughout the story? Answer: Initially, the doctor is petrified and views the snake as a deadly threat. However, after it leaves, he humorously appreciates its “sense of cleanliness,” which reflects his attempt to rationalize the experience. His fear eventually shifts to relief and humour in hindsight.
What qualities does the doctor lack that contribute to the story’s humour? Answer: The doctor lacks self-awareness and humility, as he is overly confident and vain about his appearance. These qualities contrast with his modest living conditions and highlight his naivety, making his reaction to the snake’s appearance unexpectedly humorous.
How does the doctor’s character development add to the story’s message? Answer: The doctor’s character development from vanity to humility underscores the story’s theme of self-realization. The life-threatening incident with the snake humbles him, teaching him that his dreams of wealth and appearance are trivial compared to life itself.
Describe the role of fear in the doctor’s actions throughout the story. Answer: Fear paralyzes the doctor, forcing him to remain completely still when faced with danger. It causes him to silently pray, revealing his vulnerability. The experience teaches him humility, as his dreams of wealth and vanity are replaced by a basic desire to survive.
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