The Snake And The Mirror Class 9 English Notes

Key Plot Points & Themes

• The narrator, a homeopathic doctor, lives in a small, poorly furnished rented room without electricity.
• One hot summer night, he returns home, decides to read, and lights a kerosene lamp.
• He hears a familiar sound (rats) but dismisses it. He looks into the mirror, admiring himself and contemplating his future appearance and marriage plans.
• A snake drops onto his shoulder and coils around his arm, just above the elbow.
• The doctor is terrified, feeling death's presence, but remains still, holding his breath.
• The snake uncoils, moves towards the mirror, and seems to admire its own reflection, perhaps checking its beauty.
• Seizing this chance, the doctor escapes and runs to a friend's house.
• The next morning, he returns with friends to find his room burgled, with only his dirty vest remaining.
• The story explores themes of vanity, irony, fear, and the unpredictability of life.
• It uses humor to lighten the serious situation and highlight human follies.

Key Terms & Vocabulary

Meagre

Very small in amount or quality; inadequate.

Sullen

Bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy.

Paltry

Small or meager; petty; trivial.

Vanity

Excessive pride in or admiration of one's own appearance or achievements.

Vermilion

A brilliant red pigment, often associated with a bindi worn by married Indian women.

Snugly

In a way that is comfortable, warm, and well protected.

Smirk

To smile in an affected, smug, or offensively familiar way.

Writhing

Making twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body.

Central Theme: Vanity, Irony, and Self-Perception

The core of "The Snake And The Mirror" revolves around the ironic contrast between the doctor's initial vanity and his subsequent terrifying encounter with the snake. Initially, the doctor, despite his meagre earnings and humble abode, is preoccupied with his appearance. He looks into the mirror, admiring his reflection, contemplating growing a thin moustache, and dreaming of marrying a wealthy doctor to improve his financial status. This human vanity is portrayed humorously, as he envisions himself as a handsome bachelor, making important medical decisions about his smile and appearance.

The irony peaks when the snake, a symbol of danger and fear, also seems to be engrossed in its own reflection in the very same mirror. This moment creates a powerful juxtaposition: the human doctor, initially full of self-importance, is reduced to a helpless, silent statue, while the snake, the potential harbinger of death, appears to be as vain as the doctor, admiring its own beauty. This unexpected turn of events forces the doctor to confront his own mortality and insignificance, stripping away his superficial concerns. The story subtly suggests that beauty and vanity are universal, extending even to creatures we perceive as dangerous. The snake's apparent self-admiration mirrors the doctor's initial obsession, creating a moment of shared, albeit silent, vanity. This encounter serves as a profound lesson for the doctor, shifting his focus from superficial self-image to the sheer relief of survival, underscoring the fragility of life and the often amusing, sometimes dangerous, nature of reality.

Character Analysis: The Doctor

The doctor is the pivotal character in the story, depicted with a blend of naivety, vanity, and ultimately, stark realism. Initially, he is portrayed as a young, recently qualified doctor with little money, living in a sparsely furnished rented room. His vanity is evident as he meticulously examines his appearance in the mirror, planning to grow a moustache and focusing on making himself more presentable, dreaming of wealth and a suitable wife. This self-absorption makes him relatable yet slightly comical.

His character undergoes a dramatic shift during the encounter with the snake. From a self-admiring individual, he transforms into a terrified, helpless human being, realizing the fragility of life. His thoughts turn from superficial beauty to profound philosophical questions about his identity in the face of death. This moment of extreme fear brings about a sudden loss of ego and an acute awareness of his vulnerability. After his escape, he retains a sense of humor and humility, recounting the incident with a touch of self-deprecation. The experience strips away his vanity, leaving him with a deeper understanding of life's unpredictable nature and the insignificance of superficial concerns when faced with a real threat.

Exam Tip: Focus on Irony and Character Transformation

When answering questions about 'The Snake And The Mirror,' always pay attention to the irony present throughout the narrative. Identify specific instances of situational irony (like the snake looking into the mirror) and how they contribute to the story's humor and message. Also, analyze the doctor's character development: how does his perception of himself and life change from the beginning to the end of the story? Use textual evidence to support your points on his vanity, fear, and ultimate realization. Questions often ask about the moral of the story or what the doctor learned from the experience.

Practice Questions with Solutions

• Q: What was the doctor's immediate reaction after the snake landed on his shoulder? A: He froze, remained motionless, and held his breath, feeling the presence of death very close.
• Q: What did the doctor think about when he first looked into the mirror? A: He thought about growing a thin moustache, smiling more, and marrying a rich female doctor with a good practice.
• Q: What does the snake's action of looking into the mirror signify? A: It signifies that vanity and self-admiration are not exclusive to humans; it adds a layer of humor and irony, mirroring the doctor's own vanity.
• Q: What was the only item the burglar left behind in the doctor's room? A: His dirty, soiled vest, which the burglar probably found too dirty to take.

Frequently Asked Questions