5 I went back into the room and sat down on the chair. I opened the box
beneath the table and took out a book, The Materia Medica. I opened it
at the table on which stood the lamp and a large mirror; a small comb
lay beside the mirror.
6 One feels tempted to look into a mirror when it is near. I took a
look. In those days I was a great admirer of beauty and I believed in
making myself look handsome. I was unmarried and was a doctor. I felt I
had to make my presence felt. I picked up the comb and ran it through
my hair and adjusted the parting so that it looked straight and neat.
Again I heard that sound from above.
7 I took a close look at my face in the mirror. I made an important
decision - I would shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more
handsome. I was, after all, a bachelor, and a doctor!
8 I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile. I
made another earthshaking decision. I would always keep that attractive
smile on my face . . . to look more handsome. I was after all a
bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it! Again came that noise from
above.
9 I got up, lit a beedi and paced up and down the room. Then another
lovely thought struck me. I would marry. I would get married to a woman
doctor who had plenty of money and a good medical practice. She had to
be fat; for a valid reason. If I made some silly mistake and needed to
run away she should not be able to run after me and catch me!
The Materia Medica.
Answer the questions given below
1.What are the two important and earthshaking decisions that he takes while looking into the mirror?
2. ‘Again came that noise from above.’ Did the doctor pay much attention to the noise? Why?
3. What kind of a woman does the doctor want to marry? Why?
Answers
1) The important decision is that he will shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome. The earthshaking decision is that he will keep always an attractive smile on his face.
2) He did not pay any attention to the noise because he knew that it was created by rats and he was familiar with such noise.
3)He wants to marry a fat woman because if he made a silly mistake and needed to run away from her,she should not be able to chase and catch him.
The Snake and the Mirror (paragraphs 10-18)
10 With such thoughts in my mind I
resumed my seat in the chair in
front of the table. There were no more sounds from above. Suddenly
there came a
dull thud as if a rubber tube had fallen to the ground. . .
surely nothing to worry about. Even so I thought I would turn around
and take a look.
No sooner had I turned
than a fat snake wriggled over
the back of the chair and landed on my shoulder. The snake's landing on
me and my turning were
simultaneous.
11 I didn't jump. I didn't tremble. I didn't cry out. There was no time
to do any such a thing. The snake slithered along my shoulder and coiled
around my left
arm above the elbow. The hood was spread out and its head was hardly three or four inches from my face!
12 It would not be correct to say merely that I sat there holding my
breath. I was turned to stone. But my mind was very active. The door
opened into darkness. The room was filled with darkness. In the light
of the lamp I sat there like a stone image in the flesh.
13 I felt then the great presence of the Creator of this world and this
universe. God was there. Suppose I said something and he did not like
it. I tried in my
imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words 'O God!'.
14 There was some pain in my left arm. It was as if a thick leaden rod -
no, a rod made of molten fire - was slowly but powerfully crushing my
arm. The arm was
beginning to be drained of all strength. What could I do?
15 At my slightest movement the snake would strike me!Death lurked four
inches away. Suppose it struck, what was the medicine I had to take?
There were no medicines in the room. I was but a poor, foolish and
stupid doctor. I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.
16 It seemed as if God appreciated that. The snake turned its head. It
looked into the mirror and saw its reflection. I do not claim that it
was the first snake that
had ever looked into a mirror. But it was certain that the snake was
looking into the mirror. Was it admiring its own beauty? Was it trying
to make an important
decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead?
17 I did not know anything for certain. What sex was the snake, was it
male or female? I will never know; for the snake unwound itself from my
arm and slowly slithered into my lap. From there it crept onto the table
and moved towards the mirror. Perhaps it wanted to enjoy its reflection
at closer quarters.
18 I was no mere image cut in granite. I was suddenly a man of flesh and
blood. Still holding my breath I got up from the chair. I quietly went
out through the door into the veranda. From there I leapt into the yard
and ran for all I was worth.
If you click on the words given below,you will get the meaning and the pronunciation of each word.
Resume
Dull
Thud
Simultaneous
Slither
Turn to stone
Lurk
Mascara
Vermilion
Leapt
Answer the following questions
1) What happened when the doctor was sitting on his chair?
2) How did the doctor react when the snake landed on him?
3) Why did the doctor sit in the chair like a stone image in flesh?
4) In the story, the snake is compared to three objects. What are they?
5) Why did he feel that he was a stupid doctor?
6)‘I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.’ What does the doctor mean by this statement?Answers
1)He heard a dull thud as if a rubber tube had fallen down to the ground. But he did not take it serious.After a while, a fat snake wriggled over the back of the chair and landed on his shoulder
2)He did not jump; he did not tremble or he did not cry out. He sat still.
3)The cobra coiled around his left arm and stayed only three or four inches away from his face spreading its hood. If he moved, it would strike him. So, he sat there like a stone image in flesh.
4)The snake is compared to a rubber tube, a thick leaden rod and a beauty-conscious person.
5): He felt so because he did not have any medicine in his room, though he was a doctor.
6)The snake was no longer on his body.He can move now.
The Snake and the Mirror (paragraphs 19-20)
19 ‘Phew!’ Each of us heaved a sigh of relief. All of us lit beedis.
Somebody asked, ‘Doctor, is your wife very fat?’ ‘No,’ the doctor said.
‘God willed otherwise. My life companion is a thin reedy person with the
gift of a sprinter.’
Someone else asked, ‘Doctor, when you ran, did the snake follow you?’
20 The doctor replied, ‘I ran and ran till I reached a friend's house.
Immediately I smeared oil all over myself and took a bath. I changed
into fresh clothes. The next morning at about eight-thirty I took my
friend and one or two others to my room to move my things from there.
But we found we had little to carry. Some thief had removed most of my
things. The room had been cleaned out! But not really, the thief had
left behind one thing as a final insult!’ ‘What was that?’ I asked. The
doctor said, ‘My vest, the dirty one. The fellow had such a sense of
cleanliness . . .! The rascal could have taken it and used it after
washing it with soap and water.’ ‘Did you see the snake the next day,
doctor?’ The doctor laughed, I've never seen it since. It was a snake
which was taken with its own beauty!
Heave (v): release air as in a sigh.
Reedy (adj): very thin, slim like a reed
Sprinter (n): an athlete.
Smear (v): to spread oil or cream.
Answer the following questions
1)Why did the doctor run to his friend’s house? Did the snake harm the doctor? Why?
2)‘...the thief had left behind one thing as a final insult’! What was the insult?
Answrs
1)The doctor was afraid to stay alone in his room.The snake did not harm
the doctor because soon its attention was distracted from him to its own reflection in the mirror.
2)The thief had not taken the doctor’s one dirty vest. That was the final insult!
Activity 1 Page 27
was afraid of the snake
I was turned to a stone.
I sat there like a stone image
in the flesh.
I tried to write in bright
letters outside my little heart
the words ‘O, God’!
At my slightest movement
the snake would strike me!
Death lurked four inches
away.
Suppose it struck, what
medicine I had to take?
was proud of his appearance
I looked into the mirror and smiled.
I believed in making myself look
handsome.
I picked up the comb and ran it through
the hair.
I took a close look at my face in the
mirror.
I decided that I would shave daily and
grow a thin moustache to look more
handsome.
I would always keep that attractive
smile on my face to look more
handsome.
Activity 2 Page 27
The Video posted below is from 
ASSIGNMENT
After
having shifted to a new house, the doctor started writing in a diary
about the horrible experience he had in the previous night in the old
house. Prepared a likely diary entry.
15 April 2019 Monday 11:00pm
Thank God! I’m safe and happy now in this new house - neat and comfortable and have here good neighbours too. I should be thankful to my friends for arranging this house for me. Yesterday I met death face-to-face! I can’t ever forget those moments in my life. When I heard the sound of something fall down, I never thought it could be a cobra. When I felt something cold on my arm and shoulder, who thought it was a death messenger? I hadn’t any medicine to use in case of any emergency. What would have I done, if it had bitten me? Luckily, the snake was beauty-conscious. Seeing its own beauty in the mirror on my table, it left me. Was I so ugly, or was the snake more beautiful than it expected? Anyhow, the mirror saved my life and I should keep one here too.
Imagine
that the homeopathic doctor rushes to his friend after escaping from
the snake. Prepare a conversation between the doctor and his friend.
Friend: Hi doctor, good evening!
Doctor: Good evening! Let me sit here; give me some water, please.
Friend: You look very scared and tired! What happened to you?
Doctor: A cobra coiled on my arm.
Friend: What, a cobra! It didn’t bite you, did it?
Doctor: No, it didn’t. God saved me in the form of a mirror!
Friend: Mirror? Oh my God; what are you saying?
Doctor: Yes, it’s true. A cobra fell on me from the roof, coiled on my arm but uncoiled and slithered away when it saw its image in the mirror on my table.
Friend: Thank God! Anyway, don’t’ go there tonight. Let’s stay here. We can look for another house later.
Doctor: Yeah, thanks a lot!
Attempt a short paragraph on the use of contrasts to bring out humour in the story.(From the study material prepared by DIET KOTTAYAM)
The story ‘The snake and the mirror’ is abundant with contrasting ideas which brings out striking humour in the story. The homeopathic doctor considered himself as a handsome bachelor. Moreover he also wanted to make his presence felt among others with his attractive smile and appearance. In addition to that he wanted to grow a thin moustache and maintain his good looks so
that he could get a better partner.
But his real life was not as colourful as his dreams. His earnings were meager and he did not have much money.
He thinks of himself as a bachelor and doctor proudly but when the snake coils around his arm, he believes he was foolish not to have medicines in his room. He wanted a fat wife but in reality he got a thin one.
Prepare a profile of Vaikom Muhammed Basheer using the hints given below
(From the study material prepared by DIET KOTTAYAM)
Name : Vaikom Muhammed Basheer
Place :Thalayolaparambu, Kerala
Birth : 1908
Famous as : Freedom fighter, Short story writer and novelist
Notable works : Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Mathilukal and Paathummayude
Aaadu.
Award : Padmashri 1982
Death : 1994
Vaikom Muhammed Basheer
Vaikom Muhammed Basheer was born in 1908, at Thalayolaparambu in Kerala. He was a freedom fighter, novelist and short story writer. His notable works include Balyakalasakhi, Shabdangal, Pathummayude Aadu and Mathilukal. He was awarded the Padmashri in 1982. He passed away in 1994.
Imagine that the doctor writes a letter to his friend explaining his life in the rented room.How would the letter be?
Old house
Market line
Kozhikode
6 January 2001
Dear Raju,
How are you doing? How is your job? Hope your parents are in good health.As you know I have just started my medical practice .So my earnings are very meagre. I got a small rented house with out electricity.
One could say rats and I shared the room.A frightening incident happened yesterday night.A fat snake fall on my shoulder and coiled around my left arm above the elbow while I was thinking about marrying a fat lady doctor with a lot of practice.Fortunately ,the snake saw its reflection in the mirror on my table and moved to the mirror.I escaped immediately and ran to one of my friend's house.
Actually I did not have any medicine at that time in my room.Another misfortune fall upon me in that night.A thief had stolen everything from my house except my vest.
So now I am searching a new house and a fat lady doctor to lead a better life.Please do find time to write to me. Convey my regards to all at home.
Yours lovingly
Basheer
The incident of a cobra coiling around the homeopath’s arm was reported in a daily, the next day. What would be the news report?(From the study material prepared by DIET KOTTAYAM)
Doctor in dilemma
Trichur: A full blooded poisonous cobra was reported to be seen in the small rented house of a homeopath, yesterday. The house was not electrified and had rats living in it. The doctor says thatthe snake had coiled around his arm and that its head was just four inches away. However the doctor remained motionless and the snake slithered down and crawled on to the table on which was a mirror. The snake seemed to stare at its reflection, taken in by its own beauty. The doctor ran for his life in the darkness and returned the next day but the house was empty as it had been robbed. The snake was not to be seen anywhere.
Character sketch of the Homeopath(From the study material prepared by DIET KOTTAYAM).
The homeopath was a jolly fellow with a good sense of humour and a skill in telling a tale.So, it is with precision that he describes the small rented room that he shared with rats and tells us about his meager earning and belongings. He was interested in making himself more handsome. He was also ambitious. He wanted to marry a rich, fat woman doctor. But when the snake coiled around his arm, he had the presence of mind to remain still, in spite of the pain. He was also a sociable person with many friends who helped him in times of need.
Complete the conversation:(From the study material prepared by DIET KOTTAYAM).
Reporter : Good morning sir,
Homeopath : Good morning,(a)--------------------------
Reporter : I heard about the snake coiling on your arm.
Homeopath : Yes, it's true. You have come for an interview, (b)_______ ?
Reporter : ..............(c)?
Homeopath : Just, last night.
Reporter : If you can tell me the story,(d)-----------
Homeopath : Sure. You had better,(e)------------------
Reporter : Okay, lets sit down and hear you.
questions and answers from englisheduspot.blogspot.com ©English Eduspot Blog Prepared by Mahmud K Pukayoor click here
Lines Written in Early Spring
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
Rhyming words notes - thoughts reclined- mind
Rhyme scheme abab
Visual image groove
Auditory image I heard a thousand blended thoughts
hyperbole I heard a thousand blended thoughts
Answer the following questions.
1. Who is the I referred to in the poem?
2. What does the poet mean by the expression ‘a thousand blended notes’?
3. What expression does the poet use to describe the sounds of nature?
4. Where was the poet sitting?
5. What does the expression ‘I sate reclined’ indicate about the poet’s state of mind?
6. Pick out pairs of rhyming words from the given lines and Write the rhyme scheme .
7. Pick out an example of auditory image from the given line
Answers
1. The poet (William Wordsworth) is referred to as I in the poem.
2. The sounds of Nature are indicated through this expression.‘
3. A thousand blended notes’ is the expression used by the poet.
4. The poet was sitting in a grove.
5. It indicates that the poet sits in a relaxed manner.
6. Notes – thoughts, reclined- mind. Rhyme scheme- ab ab.
7. A thousand blended notes.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.
Rhyming words link - think ran - man
Rhyme scheme abab
Alliteration much my
man made
Personification To her fair works did Nature link
1. Identify the lines that tell us Nature is linked to the soul of human beings?
2. What makes the poet happy?
3. What worries the poet?
4. What does nature do?
5. Pick out an expression which tells us about the feeling of the poet?
6. ‘And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.’ What do these lines tell us?
7. Pick out an instance of alliteration from the given lines.
Answers
1. ‘ To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
2. ‘The harmony , beauty and love in nature make the poet happy.
3. The cruelties of man towards nature and his fellow beings make the poet sad.
( what man has made of man.)
4. Nature has linked the human soul to her fair works.
5. The expression ‘ And much it grieved my heart to think’ tells us about the
feelings of the poet.
6. Man’s cruelties towards nature and to his fellow beings destroy the harmony of
nature. This thought makes the poet sad.
7. What man has made of man.
Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
Rhyming words bower- flower wreaths- breathes
Rhyme scheme abab
Assonance The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
Personification every flower enjoys the air it breathes
 |
| bower |
Visual images
 |
|
| primrose |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure:-
But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.
Rhyming words played - made sure - pleasure.
Rhyme scheme abab
Alliteration motion which they made
1. What does the poet say about each flower?
2. Why does the poet feel that the flowers enjoy the air they breathe?
3. Mention the names of some flowers mentioned in these lines.
4. What do the birds do?
5. Pick out the lines which state that even the smallest movement in nature gives the poet happiness?
6. What does ‘the periwinkle trailed its wreaths’ imply?
7. Give an example of personification from these lines.
Answers
1. The poet says that the flowers enjoy the fresh air they breathe.
2. The gentle movement of the flowers, in the breeze makes the poet think so.
3. Periwinkle and primrose are the flowers mentioned here.
4. The birds hop and play around the poet.
5. But the least motion which they made
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.
6. It implies that the petals of the periwinkle blow in the wind.
7. Every flower enjoys the air it breathes, is an example of personification.
The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.
Rhyming words fan - can, air - there
Rhyme scheme abab
Visual image
 |
| budding twigs |
|
|
|
|
|
Tactile image breezy air
Personification The budding twigs spread out their fan
If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature's holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?
Rhyming words sent - lament plan - man
Rhyme scheme abab
Alliteration belief from heaven be sent,
Visual image heaven , man
Auditory image lament
1.What is nature’s holy plan?
2. What does budding twigs indicate?
3. What are they reaching out for?
4. Does the poem end on a happy note or a sad note? Identify the line which justifies your answer?
Answers
1. Nature fills everything with beauty , pleasure and peace.
2. Budding twigs indicate new life.
3. They are reaching out for happiness.
4. The poem ends on a sad note. The line ‘Have I not reason to lament ,what man has done to man ‘ indicates his sadness.
Appreciation of the poem
(From the study material prepared by DIET KOTTAYAM).
Lines Written in Early Spring’ is a beautiful poem written by William Wordsworth. The poem celebrates the relation between man and nature. The poet becomes happy in the sights and sounds of nature and at the same time laments on what man has made of man.
The poet once sits in a grove in a very calm and relaxed mood. He hears lots of various sounds and songs. The poet rejoices in those things At the same time, some woeful thoughts come into his mind, and he becomes pensive.
He sees the primrose and periwinkle make wreaths in the bower there. He believes that every flower enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around him express their thrill of pleasure by hopping and playing in the grove. He also notices the budding twigs spread out their tender leaves to catch the breezy air. In short, the
poet sees thrilling sights, hears pleasant songs in everything he looks at in the grove, and he experiences the utmost pleasure in the world of nature
But when he thinks of the human world, he becomes sad. What man has done to mankind as well as to nature makes him uneasy and unpleasant. The coexistence in perfect harmony is the holy plan of nature. If the divine plan of nature is pleasurable and peaceful coexistence, he wonders why man has alone moved away from this holy plan.
The poem becomes much appealing because of the simplicity of its theme and beauty of lines and the abundant use of various poetic devices. The poem follows the rhyme scheme abab. The poet uses hyperbole when he says that he heard a thousand blended notes. He addresses Nature as a person and calls it ‘her’. He
makes the flowers breathe the air, and makes the tender leaves of budding twigs catch the breezy air. All these are perfect examples of Personification. A beautiful instance of Alliteration can be seen in the line ‘What man has made of man.’
Visual Images used in the poem add more beauty to it.“ The birds around me hopped and played”, The grove, the green bower, the flowers – primrose and periwinkle ,Budding twigs.....are perfect examples of visual images.
“I heard a thousand blended notes” is an instance of auditory image.
To watch the video click here
For more questions and answers from © English Eduspot (englisheduspot.blogspot.com)prepared by Mahmud K Pukayoor click here
