The story Birth by A.J. Cronin is included in NCERT Snapshots for Class 11 and is both emotional and inspiring. It presents the struggles and determination of a young doctor, Andrew Manson, who saves a newborn’s life after a difficult delivery.
Here, you will find the Birth chapter summary explained in simple words, along with the central idea and themes. This summary of Birth Class 11 will help you quickly understand the main events, important characters, and the message of the story, making it useful for exam preparation.
Summary of Birth: Class 11 Chapter
Birth by A.J. Cronin is an inspiring story that highlights the determination and responsibility of a young doctor, Andrew Manson, during a critical delivery case. It shows how patience, perseverance, and professional dedication can turn despair into hope.
The story of Birth begins late at night when Dr. Andrew Manson, after a tiring day, is called to attend the delivery of Joe Morgan’s first child. Joe and his wife had been married for twenty years and were eagerly waiting for this moment. Andrew quickly realizes how important the case is for the family.
At the Morgan house, Andrew finds Mrs. Morgan in labor, weak and struggling. The atmosphere is tense. He works with the nurse and Mrs. Morgan’s mother to help with the delivery. After a long and difficult process, the baby is born still, showing no signs of life. The shock is heavy—after twenty years of waiting, Joe Morgan’s dream seems shattered.
Despite his exhaustion, Andrew does not give up. First, he focuses on saving Mrs. Morgan, giving her proper treatment to stabilize her condition. Then he turns to the lifeless baby. Instead of declaring it dead, he recalls his medical training and begins efforts to revive the child. He tries methods like cold and hot baths and then applies the technique of artificial respiration.
For more than half an hour, Andrew works tirelessly. His body is drained, but his willpower pushes him forward. Slowly, signs of life appear—the baby begins to gasp, cry, and finally breathe normally. The family, once hopeless, is filled with joy and relief.
Andrew feels deeply satisfied. It was not just about saving a child, but about fulfilling the hopes of a family. The experience leaves him with a sense of achievement and shows the real meaning of a doctor’s duty.
The story ends on a positive note, proving that with dedication, knowledge, and persistence, even the most hopeless situations can be turned into miracles.
Short Summary of Birth
A.J. Cronin’s Birth is an inspirational story about the dedication of a young doctor, Andrew Manson. Late at night, he is called to attend the delivery of Joe Morgan’s first child after twenty years of marriage. At the Morgan house, Andrew finds Mrs. Morgan weak and struggling during labor.
After much effort, the child is born still, showing no signs of life. Though exhausted, Andrew does not give up. He first ensures the mother’s safety, then works tirelessly to revive the baby. Using techniques like hot and cold baths and artificial respiration, he continues for over half an hour.
At last, the baby starts breathing and crying, bringing immense joy to the family. Andrew feels deeply satisfied, realizing the true value of perseverance and professional duty. The story highlights hope, responsibility, and the nobility of the medical profession.
Character Sketch for Birth Chapter (Class 11)
| Character | Traits | Role in the Story |
| Dr. Andrew Manson | Young, dedicated, compassionate, determined, professional | The protagonist, a young doctor who, despite exhaustion, works tirelessly to save Mrs. Morgan and revive her stillborn baby, showing perseverance and duty. |
| Joe Morgan | Anxious, hopeful, emotional, devoted | A middle-aged man who, after twenty years of marriage, eagerly awaits the birth of his first child. His concern highlights the importance of the event. |
| Mrs. Morgan | Weak, fragile, hopeful, patient | The mother who struggles through a difficult labor. Her survival and her baby’s revival bring relief and happiness to the family. |
| Nurse | Supportive, practical, reliable | Assists Dr. Andrew during the delivery. Her cooperation helps manage the tense situation. |
| Mrs. Morgan’s Mother | Caring, protective, worried | Present during the delivery, she represents the family’s deep concern and emotional investment in the survival of both mother and child. |
More Important Resources for CBSE Exam:
| CBSE Board: All details | CBSE Class 11 Commerce Subjects |
| CBSE Full Form | CBSE Class 11 English Syllabus |
| All about CBSE Class 11th | Class 11th Hornbill Syllabus |
| CBSE Class 11 Economics Syllabus |
Central Idea of Birth
The central idea of Birth by A.J. Cronin is the power of perseverance, responsibility, and professional dedication. The story shows how Dr. Andrew Manson, despite exhaustion and initial failure, refuses to give up on saving a lifeless newborn.
His determination and medical skill finally revive the child, turning despair into joy for the Morgan family. The narrative highlights that true success in any profession comes from patience, persistence, and compassion.
It also emphasizes the nobility of the medical profession, where a doctor’s duty is not just to treat patients but to bring hope and preserve life even in the most difficult circumstances.
Theme of Birth Class 11 Chapter
The theme of Birth revolves around dedication, perseverance, and the triumph of human effort. It highlights the nobility of the medical profession through Dr. Andrew Manson’s tireless struggle to save both mother and child.
The story shows that patience, determination, and compassion can turn hopeless situations into miracles. It also reflects the value of responsibility and selfless service in shaping lives and spreading hope.
Message of Birth Chapter in Class 11
- Never give up in difficult situations: Persistence can turn failure into success.
- Dedication defines true professionalism: Commitment to duty is the hallmark of every noble profession.
- Compassion matters as much as skill: Human empathy adds value to technical knowledge.
- Hope can be revived with effort: Even hopeless cases can end positively with determination.
- Medical profession is noble: Doctors carry the responsibility of saving lives and spreading hope.
- Selfless service brings true satisfaction: Real happiness lies in helping others, not in personal comfort.
- Responsibility brings honor: Taking one’s role seriously earns respect and creates lasting impact.
About the Author of Birth – A.J. Cronin
Archibald Joseph Cronin (1896–1981), popularly known as A.J. Cronin, was a Scottish novelist and physician. He studied medicine at the University of Glasgow and later worked as a doctor in mining communities, where he closely observed the struggles of ordinary people. These experiences shaped much of his writing, blending medical knowledge with human emotions.
Cronin gained worldwide fame with novels like The Citadel and The Keys of the Kingdom, which combined social issues, moral values, and inspiring characters. His works often highlight themes of compassion, duty, perseverance, and the triumph of the human spirit.
Read the chapter-wise summaries of Class 11 English here:
FAQs About Birth Chapter in Class 11
The story Birth is written by A.J. Cronin, a Scottish novelist and physician.
Joe Morgan was a middle-aged man who, after twenty years of marriage, was about to become a father for the first time.
Joe Morgan waited anxiously outside his house for Dr. Andrew because his wife was in labor, and the delivery was critical.
Joe Morgan was an anxious, emotional, and hopeful man. He deeply cared about his wife and eagerly awaited the birth of his first child.
Andrew had a pessimistic view of marriage. He had seen many unhappy couples in his practice and felt disappointed about marital life in general.
Despite his personal doubts about marriage, Andrew remained dedicated as a doctor. He realized how important this child was to the Morgans and worked tirelessly to save it.
Mrs. Morgan, after a difficult and painful labor, gave birth to a stillborn baby, which appeared lifeless.
Andrew’s first priority was to ensure Mrs. Morgan’s safety. He treated her to stabilize her condition before turning his full attention to the baby.
Andrew used the methods of alternating hot and cold water baths and applied artificial respiration, continuing tirelessly until the baby showed signs of life.
Andrew felt deep satisfaction and pride. He realized that true happiness comes from fulfilling one’s duty and saving lives.
The story shows Andrew as dedicated, compassionate, professional, and determined, willing to work tirelessly for his patients.
It portrays medicine as a noble profession where doctors carry the responsibility of preserving life and bringing hope, even in desperate situations.
It inspires readers by showing how determination, patience, and professional responsibility can create miracles, even in hopeless circumstances.