Class 9 English - TAMILNADU
Prose: The Snake and the Mirror
The Snake and the Mirror is an engaging humorous story written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer, translated from Malayalam. It narrates an incident in the life of a young, poor homoeopath doctor who boasts about his medical knowledge and looks. While admiring his reflection in a mirror, a deadly cobra coils around his arm. The story brilliantly highlights human vanity, fear, and the irony of human situations. For Tamil Nadu Samacheer Kalvi Class 9 board exams, questions focus on comprehension, character traits, narrative irony, and contextual meanings, making it vital for scoring high in the English exam.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
First-Person Narrative
The story is told from the doctor's perspective, using 'I', which creates an intimate and humorous connection with the reader.
Theme of Vanity and Fear
The doctor is initially obsessed with his looks and status, but his arrogance instantly vanishes when confronted by the deadly cobra.
Use of Humor and Irony
Basheer uses witty comparisons and ironic situations, such as a doctor who has no medicines and a fearsome snake acting like an admirer.
Characterization
The doctor is portrayed as realistic rather than heroic—he panics, freezes with fear, and runs away when given the chance.
Symbolism of the Mirror
The mirror represents self-obsession and superficial beauty, which is shattered when danger strikes.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Tamil Nadu (Samacheer Kalvi) Class 9 English board examinations, prose chapters like 'The Snake and the Mirror' typically carry around 5 to 8 marks. Questions include 1-mark objective questions (synonyms, antonyms), 2-mark short answer questions based on the narrative, and paragraph questions testing the central theme and character analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the two important decisions the doctor made while looking into the mirror?
The doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache, and to always keep an attractive smile on his face.
Why did the snake look into the mirror?
The author humorously suggests the snake wanted to enjoy its reflection and make some important decisions, much like the doctor.
Did the doctor ever see the snake again after he ran away?
No, when the doctor returned the next morning with his friends to pack his things, most of his belongings had been stolen, and the snake never returned.
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