CBSE Class 9 English Beehive: The Snake and the Mirror NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

CBSE Class 9 English Beehive, Chapter 5, "The Snake and the Mirror," presents a humorous account of a doctor's unsettling encounter with a serpent. This chapter delves into the doctor's reflections while gazing into a mirror, juxtaposing his aspirations of a more attractive self and a prosperous marriage with his modest circumstances. The narrative skillfully highlights the comedic aspects stemming from these disparities, especially his initial self-admiration and the subsequent terror when confronted by genuine peril. The provided solutions aim to guide students in grasping the story's subtleties, appreciating its humor, and reinforcing their understanding of crucial plot elements and the protagonist's introspective moments, thereby aiding in their exam preparation.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectBeehive
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter5. The Snake and the Mirror

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for "The Snake and the Mirror" (Class 9 English Beehive, Chapter 5) focus on analyzing the humorous narrative of a doctor's frightening encounter with a snake. The solutions guide students to discuss the doctor's self-perception, his 'important' decisions about his appearance, and the stark contrast between his desired wife and the one he married. They highlight how the story uses humor through these contrasts between the doctor's dreams and reality, aiding comprehension and exam preparation.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the humorous narrative of 'The Snake and the Mirror'.
  • Analyze the doctor's self-perception and his decisions.
  • Identify the contrasts between the doctor's dreams and reality.
  • Discuss the elements that contribute to the story's humor.
  • Explain the significance of the doctor's thoughts before and during the snake encounter.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Character Analysis: The Doctor
  • Humor in Literature
  • Contrast: Dreams vs. Reality
  • Self-Perception and Appearance
  • Narrative Structure
  • Figurative Language (e.g., 'earth-shaking decisions')
  • Story Comprehension
  • Themes of Fear and Vanity

Important topics

  • Analysis of Humor
  • Doctor's Self-Perception
  • Contrast: Dreams vs. Reality
  • Key Decisions and Their Significance
  • Character Development

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Questions and Solutions

Before You Read - Question 1

Do you like to look at yourself in the mirror? What do you think about at such times? Have you ever seen a dog, a cat or a bird look into a mirror? What do you think it sees?
Solution: Most people enjoy looking at themselves in the mirror, often reflecting on their appearance, thoughts, or future plans. Some might admire their features, while others might ponder their actions or feelings. Observing animals like dogs, cats, or birds looking into a mirror is less common. If they do, they might react with curiosity, confusion, or even aggression, as they likely don't recognize their reflection as themselves but rather as another creature.

Before You Read - Question 2

Now read this humorous story about a doctor, a snake, and a mirror.
Solution: This is an instruction to read the provided story. The story, "The Snake and the Mirror," is a humorous narrative that explores a doctor's encounter with a snake while he is admiring himself in a mirror.

Thinking About The Text - Question 1

Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30–40 words).
  1. "The sound was a familiar one." What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? (Find the places in the text.) When and why did the sounds stop?
Solution: 1. The doctor heard a sound of movement from above, which he recognized as familiar. He initially believed it was caused by rats moving around in his room. He heard this sound thrice. The sounds ceased abruptly, followed by a dull thud, indicating something had fallen.

Thinking About The Text - Question 2

Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30–40 words).
  1. What two "important" and "earth-shaking" decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?
Solution: The first 'important' decision the doctor made was to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to enhance his handsome appearance. The second 'earth-shaking' decision was to maintain an attractive smile constantly to look even more appealing.

Thinking About The Text - Question 3

Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30–40 words).
  1. "I looked into the mirror and smiled," says the doctor. A little later he says, "I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself." What is the doctor's opinion about himself when: (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?
Solution: (i) When the doctor first smiles, he is admiring his attractive smile and handsome appearance. He feels pleased with himself, considering his bachelor status and profession. (ii) When he smiles feebly later, he has forgotten his danger and is facing the immediate threat of the snake. His thoughts change dramatically from vanity to a realization of his foolishness and helplessness in the face of mortal danger. This shift occurs because the presence of the snake makes him acutely aware of his vulnerability and lack of resources.

Thinking About The Text - Question 4

This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)
  1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
  2. The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)

Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer

Solution: The humor in the story stems from the stark contrast between the doctor's actual circumstances and his aspirations. He is a doctor with meager earnings, living in a small, un-electrified rented room with only sixty rupees and a few clothes. However, he dreams of being exceptionally handsome and admired. This disparity between his reality (poverty, rats) and his desired self-image (handsome, stylish with a moustache and a constant smile) creates a comical effect.

Thinking About The Text - Question 5

This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)
  1. (i) The person he wants to marry
  2. The person he actually marries

Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer

Solution: The humor is amplified by the contrast between the doctor's ideal wife and his actual wife. He wanted to marry a doctor who was plump and had ample money and a good practice, believing her size would prevent her from catching him if he made a mistake. However, he ended up marrying a thin, slender woman who could run like a sprinter, completely defying his practical and self-serving criteria.

Thinking About The Text - Question 6

This story about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality. Some of them are listed below.)
  1. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
  2. His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm

Write short paragraphs on each of these to get your answer

Solution: When the doctor looks into the mirror, his thoughts are consumed by his appearance and how to enhance his handsomeness – shaving, growing a moustache, and smiling. This reflects vanity and self-admiration. In stark contrast, when the snake is coiled around his arm, his thoughts shift entirely from vanity to survival. He forgets his danger and smiles feebly, realizing his foolishness and helplessness, focusing solely on not provoking the snake.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the doctor's imagined scenarios with reality.
  • Underestimating the humor derived from the contrast between ambition and circumstance.
  • Failing to connect the doctor's initial self-admiration with his later fear.

Revision tips

  • Reread the story, paying close attention to the doctor's internal monologue.
  • List the doctor's 'important' decisions and analyze why they are presented humorously.
  • Compare and contrast the doctor's ideal wife with his actual wife.
  • Discuss the turning point in the story where self-admiration turns to fear.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What familiar sound did the doctor initially hear, and what did he mistake it for?

Q2. What were the two 'important' and 'earth-shaking' decisions the doctor made while looking in the mirror?

Q3. When the doctor first smiled, what was his opinion of himself?

Q4. What contrast is highlighted regarding the doctor's desired wife versus his actual wife?

Q5. What makes the story humorous, according to the text?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'The Snake and the Mirror'?

The main theme revolves around the humorous contrast between the doctor's vanity and his humble reality, and how self-admiration can quickly turn to fear in the face of genuine danger.

Why is the story considered humorous despite the frightening incident?

The story is humorous because of the doctor's exaggerated self-importance and his 'important' decisions about his appearance, which are juxtaposed with his poor living conditions and the sudden, terrifying appearance of the snake.

What does the doctor's decision to marry a woman doctor with money reveal about him?

It reveals his practical, perhaps slightly mercenary, approach to marriage, driven by his own lack of wealth and his desire for security and status.

How does the doctor's opinion of himself change throughout the story?

Initially, he sees himself as a handsome, desirable doctor. When faced with the snake, his vanity vanishes, and he realizes he is a 'poor, foolish, and stupid' doctor, vulnerable and unprepared.

What is the significance of the mirror in the story?

The mirror serves as a device for the doctor's self-reflection and vanity, highlighting his preoccupation with his appearance. It also acts as a backdrop for his 'important' decisions before the real danger appears.

How can these NCERT Solutions help students prepare for exams?

These solutions provide clear explanations of the story's plot, characters, and themes, helping students understand the nuances of the narrative, analyze its humor, and answer comprehension and analytical questions effectively.

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