Class 9 English - PUNJAB
Prose: The Snake and the Mirror
The Snake and the Mirror by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer is a humorous and thrilling Class 9 PSEB prose piece. It narrates a true-like encounter of a young, poor homoeopathic doctor with a deadly cobra in his rented room during a hot summer night. The chapter brilliantly blends suspense with self-deprecating humor, especially when the doctor, vainly admiring his looks in front of a mirror, freezes in terror as the snake coils around his arm. For Punjab board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing reading comprehension, character analysis, and understanding the author's subtle irony.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Self-Admiring Vanity
The doctor is obsessed with his appearance, making important decisions like growing a thin mustache and deciding to always keep a smiling face while looking into the mirror.
Sudden Encounter
The peaceful atmosphere of the room shatters when a deadly snake drops from the roof silently and coils around the doctor's left arm near the elbow.
Fear and Paralysis
Trapped with a venomous snake, the doctor sits holding his breath, turning into a stone statue, highlighting human helplessness in the face of nature.
The Snake's Narcissism
In a humorous twist, the snake uncoils itself, slithers to the table, and looks into the mirror, seemingly admiring its own reflection just like the doctor did.
The Escape
Seizing the golden opportunity when the snake is distracted by its own image, the doctor quietly escapes to his friend's house to save his life.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In Punjab (PSEB) Class 9 English board exams, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Common question types include short answer questions about the plot, character sketches of the doctor, reference to context passages, and multiple-choice questions testing vocabulary and author details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the doctor run to his friend's house?
The doctor ran away to save his life after the snake got distracted by its reflection in the mirror, allowing him to escape silently.
What two important decisions did the doctor make about his appearance?
The doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin mustache, and to always keep an attractive smile on his face.
Why did the snake look into the mirror?
The snake looked into the mirror, humorously suggesting it wanted to enjoy its reflection or check out its beauty, mirroring the doctor's earlier vanity.
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