Chapter 5: The Snake and the Mirror

Thinking About the Text (Questions & Answers)

I. Answer these questions in a few words or a couple of sentences each.

1. What was the doctor's profession in the story?

   The doctor's profession was that of a homeopathic doctor.

2. Where did the doctor live?

   The doctor lived in a small, un-electrified rented room.

3. What sound did the doctor hear first?

   The doctor first heard a familiar sound from above, like that of rats.

4. What kind of a person was the doctor from his description? (Think about his appearance and aspirations.)

   The doctor was a bachelor, very conscious about his appearance, and had aspirations of becoming rich and marrying a fat doctor with good medical practice.

5. What two important decisions did the doctor take while looking into the mirror?

   While looking into the mirror, the doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to look more handsome. He also decided to keep an attractive smile on his face.

6. Did the snake bite the doctor? If not, what did it do?

   No, the snake did not bite the doctor. Instead, it uncoiled itself from his arm and moved towards the mirror, seemingly admiring its own reflection.

II. Answer each of these questions in a short paragraph (about 30 words).

1. Describe the doctor’s room.

   The doctor's room was small, dark, and contained few pieces of furniture. It was not electrified, and had a tiled roof supported by gables, making it a common refuge for rats.

2. What did the doctor do after entering his room on that night?

   After entering his room, the doctor lit a kerosene lamp, took off his clothes, opened the two windows, and sat down on the chair, picking up a book.

3. What did the doctor think of when he was looking into the mirror?

   While looking into the mirror, the doctor thought about his appearance, his desire to look handsome, and his plans to marry a rich and fat doctor to improve his financial situation.

4. What was the doctor’s immediate reaction when the snake landed on his arm?

   When the snake landed on his arm, the doctor was terrified and froze. He felt a sudden fear that turned him to stone, unable to move or utter a sound.

5. What did the doctor do when he got an opportunity to escape?

   When the snake became engrossed in its reflection, the doctor seized the opportunity. He quietly stood up from the chair, crept to the door, and then ran as fast as he could to his friend's house.

III. Answer each of these questions in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).

1. What circumstances forced the doctor to stay in a small, un-electrified room? What did he do to make it better?

   The doctor was forced to stay in a small, un-electrified room because he was a newly qualified homeopathic practitioner with meager earnings. He had just set up his practice and his financial situation was precarious, limiting his choices for accommodation. The room was rented and was quite basic, with a tiled roof and gables, often frequented by rats.

   To make his living conditions bearable, he kept the essentials: a cot, a table, and a chair. Since there was no electricity, he relied on a kerosene lamp for light. He would make sure to open the windows to allow for some ventilation. Despite the humble surroundings, he tried to maintain his self-image and intellectual pursuits, as seen by his habit of reading a medical book and his preoccupation with his appearance.

2. Describe the doctor’s encounter with the snake. How did he react?

   The doctor's encounter with the snake was terrifying and humorous. He was sitting in his room when a fat snake landed on his shoulder and then coiled around his left arm, hood spread. The doctor was petrified, unable to move or speak, feeling as if his breath was held by the very presence of the snake. He imagined various scenarios, including the snake biting him and the remedies he would need.

   His reaction was a mix of intense fear and an ironic calm born of desperation. He sat motionless, holding his breath, aware that any movement could provoke the snake. His thoughts then turned to his appearance, reflecting on his vanity even in a life-threatening situation. However, the situation turned comedic when the snake, instead of biting him, uncoiled itself and moved towards the mirror. It seemed fascinated by its own reflection, allowing the doctor to make a swift and silent escape, transforming his terror into a funny anecdote.