This document provides biographical information about Scottish novelist A. J. Cronin and summaries some of his major works, including The Citadel. It also summarizes a chapter from one of Cronin's novels titled "Birth" where a young doctor named Andrew assists with a difficult birth in a mining community and gains confidence in his abilities as a physician after successfully resuscitating a stillborn child.

1. A. J. CRONIN

3. About the Author
• Archibald Joseph Cronin (1896-1981)
• a Scottish Novelist and physician
• His best-known novel was The Citadel
• National Book Award (U.S.), Favourite Novel of
1937, for The Citadel

4. Books
 The Citadel(1937)
 Hatter's Castle(1931)
 The Keys of the Kingdom(1941)
 The Stars Look Down(1935)
 The Green Years(1944)

5. Beliefs of the small town: The midwife is
present in the house before the doctor
arrives. The mining community did not have
complete faith in modern medicine and
perhaps, preferred to have someone older,
more experienced and traditional present
during a birth. Yet, Joe Morgan trusted
Andrew completely.
.

6. 21st Centuary-Global
Themes-5
Global Awareness
Financial Literacy
Civic Literacy
Health Literacy
Environmental Literacy

7. Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Collaborating
Communicating

8. THEME
 1. Sacrificing love.
 2. Strength of character.
 3. Focussing on solution rather than problem helps
one overcome all the challenges of life.
 4. Selfless action brings new nobility to human life
and greater hope for human society.

9. MESSAGE
Sacrifice, integrity and
devotion form strength of
character.
 These qualities are
inspirational and can
influence others.

10. Contrasting personalities
The midwife is a foil to
Andrew. She feels
hopeless, resigned,
helpless, fearful and
untrained. On the other
hand, Andrew proves to be
more optimistic, diligent,
efficient, self-sufficient,

11. THE TITLE
 The 'Birth' is not only of the child but
also of the many relationships the birth
ushers. It is the birth of a grandmother,
father and mother. Most significantly, it
was the birth of Andrew as a true
doctor worthy of his title and confident
of his future.

12.  'I've done something; oh, God!
I've done something real at last'.
This statement justifies the title
of the story. Discuss.

14. QUESTION BANK
 What did the child look like when Andrew pulled it
out?
 What was the cause of the still birth? Which methods
did the doctor try to resuscitate the child?
 What unexpected miracle took place to turn
Andrew’s desperation into joy?
 Do you think that at the end of the story Andrew is
justified in saying “ I’ve done something”? Support
your answer suitably.
 What opinion do you form of Andrew Mason from
this excerpt? Which values can we learn from him?

15. • There lies a great difference between textbook
medicine and the world of a practising
physician. Comment with reference to the
chapter, 'Birth' by A. J. Cronin