The Snake and the Mirror | Important Questions & Answers

The Snake and the Mirror
ERUDITE
CLASSES
By Bijaya sir
Mob:7978291742
“A story of fear, humor & survival!”
“डर, हास्य और बचाव की अनोखी कहानी!”
“A moment of fear… and a moment of truth.”
“एक पल का डर… और एक पल की सच्चाई।”
PART: 2

THE SNAKE AND THE MIRROR
Q1. Who is the narrator of the story The Snake and the Mirror?
👉A homeopathic doctor (the author narrates his own experience).
Q2. Where was the doctor living at that time?
👉In a small rented room without electricity.
Q3. What shared the room with the doctor?
👉Rats.
Q4. What was kept on the doctor’s table?
👉A lamp, a large mirror, a small comb, and some books (including Materia Medica).
Q5. How much money did the doctor have with him?
👉About sixty rupees.
Q6. What clothes did the doctor possess?
👉Some shirts, dhotis, and one black coat.
Q7. What did the doctor think of doing to look more handsome?
👉He thought of shaving daily and growing a thin moustache.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q8. What kind of wife did the doctor wish for?
👉A rich lady doctor with good practice, and fat in body shape.
Q9. Why did he want a fat wife?
👉So that she would not be able to run after him and catch him if he did something foolish.
Q10. What suddenly landed on the doctor’s shoulder?
👉A cobra.
Q11. Where did the cobra coil itself?
👉Around the doctor’s left arm above the elbow.
Q12. What did the doctor do when the snake coiled around his arm?
👉He sat frozen like a statue, without moving.
Q13. What did the cobra do when it saw the mirror?
👉It looked at its reflection, as if admiring itself.
Q14. What humorous thought came to the doctor’s mind when the snake looked in the mirror?
👉That the snake too wanted to improve its looks and maybe grow a moustache.
Q15. How did the doctor escape?
👉When the snake uncoiled and moved towards the mirror, he quietly got up and slipped out of the room.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q1. Who is the author of The Snake and the Mirror?
👉Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
Q2. What is the profession of the narrator?
👉He is a homeopathic doctor.
Q3. At what time did the incident take place?
👉Around ten o’clock at night.
Q4. Where had the doctor gone before returning to his room?
👉To a restaurant for dinner.
Q5. What was the familiar noise in the doctor’s room?
👉The sound of rats running about.
Q6. Why did the doctor describe his earnings as “meagre”?
👉Because he had just started his practice and earned very little.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q7. What kind of roof did his room have?
👉A tiled roof supported by gables.
Q8. Why did the doctor say he was “a bachelor and a doctor too”?
👉To remind himself of his importance and admire his looks.
Q9. What resolution did the doctor make while looking in the mirror?
👉To shave daily and grow a thin moustache.
Q10. Which book was mentioned on the doctor’s table?
👉Materia Medica.
Q11. How did the doctor want his wife to be?
👉Rich, a doctor by profession, and fat.
Q12. Why did he prefer a fat wife?
👉Because she would not be able to run after him and catch him.
Q13. What did the doctor compare the sound of the snake’s fall with?
👉With the fall of a rubber tube.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q14. Where did the snake land after falling?
👉On the doctor’s shoulder.
Q15. Which part of the doctor’s body did the snake coil around?
👉Around his left arm above the elbow.
Q16. How close was the cobra to the doctor?
👉Very close to his face.
Q17. How did the doctor feel at that moment?
👉Terrified, but he sat frozen like a statue.
Q18. What did the doctor realize about himself in that dangerous moment?
👉That he was a foolish, vain man.
Q19. What did the snake do after a few minutes?
👉It uncoiled and moved onto the table towards the mirror.
👉He quietly got up and went out of the room.
Q21. Whom did the doctor take with him to the room the next morning?
👉His friends.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q22. What did they find missing from the doctor’s room?
👉Everything except the chair.
Q23. What does the ending of the story show?
👉The irony and humor of the situation.
Q24. Why is the story humorous?
👉Because of the doctor’s silly thoughts (about his looks and wife) and the snake also
admiring itself in the mirror.
Q25. What moral does the story teach?
👉Vanity and pride are useless; humility is important.
Q26. What was the doctor’s first reaction when he saw the snake?
👉He sat still like a stone image in flesh.
Q27. What two things did both the doctor and the snake admire?
👉Their own reflections in the mirror.
Q28. Why did the doctor not sleep in his room that night?
👉Because of the cobra inside.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q1. Who narrates the story The Snake and the Mirror?
👉A homeopathic doctor.
Q2. Who is the author of this story?
👉Vaikom Muhammad Basheer.
Q3. Where did the incident take place?
👉In the doctor’s small rented room.
Q4. At what time did the incident occur?
👉Around 10 p.m.
Q5. What did the doctor eat before returning to his room?
👉His meal at a restaurant.
Q6. What kind of roof did the doctor’s room have?
👉A tiled roof supported by gables.
Q7. What disturbing sound was common in his room?
👉The noise of rats.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q8. Why were his earnings called “meagre”?
👉Because he had just started his medical practice.
Q9. How much money did he have?
👉About sixty rupees.
Q10. What clothes did the doctor own?
👉Some shirts, dhotis, and one black coat.
Q11. What items were on the doctor’s table?
👉A lamp, a mirror, a comb, and some books.
Q12. Name the medical book mentioned.
👉Materia Medica.
Q13. What was the doctor’s marital status at that time?
👉He was a bachelor.
Q14. What did he think while looking into the mirror?
👉That he should look more handsome.
Q15. What did he decide to do for his looks?
👉Shave daily and keep a thin moustache.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q16. What type of wife did the doctor dream of marrying?
👉A rich lady doctor with good practice.
Q17. How did he want his wife to look?
👉Fat.
Q18. Why did he want a fat wife?
👉So she wouldn’t be able to run after him and catch him.
Q19. What did the doctor compare the snake’s fall with?
👉A rubber tube falling.
Q20. Where did the snake first land?
👉On the doctor’s shoulder.
Q21. Around which part of his body did the snake coil?
👉His left arm above the elbow.
Q22. What part of the snake was very close to the doctor?
👉Its hood/face.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q23. How did the doctor sit when the snake coiled around him?
👉Frozen like a statue.
Q24. What did he realize about himself at that moment?
👉That he was a foolish and vain man.
Q25. What did the snake do after some time?
👉It uncoiled and moved towards the mirror.
👉He quietly slipped out of the room.
Q27. Who accompanied him to the room the next morning?
👉His friends.
Q28. What did they find in the room?
👉Everything was stolen except the chair.
Q29. Why is the ending humorous?
👉Because after escaping a snake, he lost all his belongings to a thief.
Q30. What is the main theme of the story?
👉Human vanity is meaningless in front of real danger.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q1. Describe the doctor’s financial condition at the time of the incident.
👉The doctor had just started his medical practice. His earnings were very meagre, and he had only about
sixty rupees, some shirts, dhotis, and one black coat. He lived in a small rented room without electricity,
sharing it with rats.
Q2. What was kept on the doctor’s table?
👉On the table, there was a lamp, a large mirror, a small comb, and some books. One book was a medical
text and another was Materia Medica, which is an important reference book for homeopathy.
Q3. What thoughts came to the doctor’s mind when he looked into the mirror?
👉The doctor thought that since he was a bachelor and a doctor, he should look handsome. He decided to
shave daily and keep a thin moustache. He also dreamed of marrying a rich, fat lady doctor.
Q4. Why did the doctor want his wife to be fat?
👉He wanted a fat wife so that if he ever did something foolish, she would not be able to run after him and
catch him easily. This shows his humorous and childish thinking.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q5. Describe the doctor’s encounter with the snake.
👉While admiring himself in the mirror, a cobra suddenly fell on his shoulder and coiled around his left arm
above the elbow. Its hood was close to his face. Terrified, the doctor sat frozen like a statue, fearing any
movement could make the snake bite him.
Q6. How did the doctor escape from the snake?
👉After a few minutes, the snake uncoiled itself and slithered onto the table, moving towards the mirror.
Taking this chance, the doctor quietly got up and slipped out of the room to safety.
Q7. What humorous incident took place the next morning?
👉The next morning, when the doctor returned to his room with friends, he found that a thief had stolen
everything from his room. Only the chair was left behind. The contrast between the deadly cobra and the petty
thief created humor.
Q8. What did the doctor realize about himself when the snake sat on him?
👉The doctor realized that he was a foolish and vain man. He understood that his pride in his looks and his
silly dreams of a perfect wife were meaningless in the face of real danger.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q9. How is the story The Snake and the Mirror humorous as well as frightening?
👉The story is frightening because a cobra coils around the doctor’s arm, putting his life at risk. At the same
time, it is humorous because of the doctor’s silly thoughts about his looks, his wish for a fat wife, and the
snake seemingly admiring itself in the mirror.
Q10. What is the theme or moral of the story The Snake and the Mirror?
👉The story teaches that vanity and foolish pride are useless. Human beings often overestimate themselves,
but real danger shows how powerless we are. It also highlights the humor in human weaknesses.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q1. What was the doctor’s financial condition when the story took place?
👉He was very poor, had only about sixty rupees, some clothes, and one black coat. His practice had just
begun, so his earnings were meagre.
Q2. Describe the doctor’s rented room.
👉The room was small, outer side, without electricity, and had a tiled roof supported by gables. It had two
windows and was infested with rats.
Q3. What were the doctor’s possessions?
👉He owned sixty rupees, some shirts, dhotis, one black coat, and on the table – a lamp, a mirror, a comb,
and some books including Materia Medica.
Q4. What did the doctor do after returning from the restaurant?
👉He took off his clothes, wore a dhoti, sat in front of the mirror, and started admiring his looks while
making silly plans about his appearance and marriage.
Q5. What disturbing sound did the doctor hear in his room?
👉He heard the familiar noise of rats, which often ran about in his tiled-roof room.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q6. What did the doctor think while looking at himself in the mirror?
👉He thought he should look handsome, shave daily, and grow a thin moustache.
Q7. What kind of wife did the doctor wish for?
👉He wished for a rich lady doctor with good practice and a fat body.
Q8. Why did the doctor want his wife to be fat?
👉So that she would not be able to run after him and catch him if he made a mistake.
Q9. How did the doctor admire his looks?
👉He smiled at himself in the mirror, felt proud of being a bachelor and a doctor, and imagined improving
his appearance.
Q10. What does the doctor mean when he says, “I was after all a bachelor and a doctor too”?
👉He was filled with self-pride, reminding himself of his importance and desirability.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q11. What unexpected thing happened while the doctor admired himself?
👉A cobra suddenly fell from the roof and landed on his shoulder.
Q12. Where did the cobra coil itself?
👉Around the doctor’s left arm above the elbow.
Q13. How close was the cobra to the doctor’s face?
👉Its hood was only a few inches away, making him extremely terrified.
Q14. What did the doctor compare the snake’s fall with?
👉With the fall of a rubber tube.
Q15. What was the doctor’s first reaction when the snake sat on him?
👉He froze in fear and sat motionless like a stone statue.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q16. What thoughts came to the doctor’s mind at that moment?
👉He realized he was a foolish and vain man who had wasted time on silly dreams.
Q17. Why did the doctor not move when the snake coiled around him?
👉Because any movement could provoke the snake to bite him.
Q18. How long did the doctor sit frozen?
👉He sat still for several minutes, completely helpless, until the snake moved away.
Q19. What did the snake do when it saw the mirror?
👉It looked into the mirror, as if admiring its own reflection.
Q20. What humorous thought came to the doctor’s mind about the snake?
👉That the snake also wanted to improve its looks and maybe grow a moustache.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q21. How did the doctor finally escape?
👉When the snake uncoiled itself and moved onto the table towards the mirror, he quietly slipped out of the room.
Q22. Why did the doctor call himself “a poor, foolish, stupid doctor”?
👉Because he realized his pride was useless and he had no control over the situation.
Q23. Why was the doctor grateful when the snake moved towards the mirror?
👉Because it gave him the chance to run away safely from the room.
Q24. What does the doctor compare himself to while sitting still?
👉A stone image in flesh (a living statue).
Q25. Why is the scene both scary and funny?
👉Scary because the cobra was on him; funny because the snake admired itself in the mirror like the doctor did.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q26. Where did the doctor spend the night after escaping?
👉Outside, away from his room, in safety.
Q27. What happened when the doctor returned to his room next morning?
👉He found that the room had been robbed.
Q28. What had the thief taken away?
👉All the doctor’s belongings except the chair.
Q29. Why was the ending of the story humorous?
👉Because after escaping a snake, he was shocked to see everything stolen, leaving only the chair.
Q30. How did the doctor react to the theft?
👉He accepted it with humor, narrating the story as a funny incident later.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q31. What is the theme of the story?
👉Human vanity and pride are meaningless in front of real danger.
Q32. What moral does the story convey?
👉We should be humble; beauty and pride cannot save us in life-threatening situations.
Q33. Why is the story humorous?
👉Because of the doctor’s silly thoughts, his wish for a fat wife, and the snake’s “vanity” in the mirror.
Q34. Why is the story frightening?
👉Because a deadly cobra sat on the doctor’s shoulder, ready to strike.
Q35. How is irony shown in the story?
👉The doctor admired himself in the mirror, and later the snake did the same; also, he escaped death but lost all his
belongings.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q36. How is the story autobiographical?
👉The doctor narrates his own real-life experience humorously.
Q37. Why does the author use the first-person narration?
👉To make the story more personal, realistic, and engaging.
Q38. What is the role of the mirror in the story?
👉It reflects both the doctor’s and the snake’s vanity, creating humor.
Q39. How does the story show the contrast between human pride and helplessness?
👉The doctor was proud of his looks, but in front of the snake, he was completely powerless.
Q40. Why does the doctor laugh while narrating the incident?
👉Because looking back, he finds his vanity and the snake’s actions funny.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q41. How do rats add to the setting of the story?
👉Their constant noise shows the poor condition of the doctor’s room and adds realism.
Q42. Why is the doctor’s desire for a fat wife an example of humor?
👉Because it’s an odd and selfish wish, showing his immature thinking.
Q43. What role does chance play in saving the doctor?
👉The doctor did nothing; it was only chance that the snake moved away on its own.
Q44. How does the story highlight the unpredictability of life?
👉One moment the doctor was dreaming of his future, and the next he was facing death.
Q45. How did the doctor feel when the snake was so close to his face?
👉He was terrified, unable to move, and compared himself to a statue.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q46. Why does the doctor call the snake “a guest”?
👉Because it suddenly entered his life, controlled him, and left on its own.
Q47. What contrast is shown between the doctor and the snake?
👉Both admired themselves in the mirror, but one was vain, and the other was dangerous.
Q48. Why is the story both realistic and humorous?
👉It describes a real-life snake incident but adds humor through the doctor’s thoughts and the ironic ending.
Q49. What did the doctor realize about human life?
👉That human pride is useless; in danger, we are helpless.
Q50. Why is the title The Snake and the Mirror suitable?
👉Both the snake and the doctor looked at the mirror, linking vanity, fear, and humor in the story.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q1. Describe the setting of the doctor’s rented room. How does it add to the story?
Answer:
The doctor lived in a very poor, rented room without electricity. It was an outer room with a tiled roof, supported by
gables, and had two windows. The room was full of rats, whose noise was constant and disturbing. His possessions
were few: sixty rupees, some clothes, a black coat, a lamp, a mirror, a comb, and a book.
The setting adds realism to the story and creates a contrast between the doctor’s vanity and his actual poverty. The
rats also foreshadow the sudden appearance of the snake.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q2. How does the story The Snake and the Mirror bring out the theme of human vanity?
Answer:
The doctor was young, unmarried, and full of self-admiration. Sitting in front of the mirror, he thought of shaving
daily, growing a thin moustache, and marrying a rich lady doctor. He even wished for a fat wife so that she could not
chase him if he made a mistake. These thoughts show his vanity and foolishness.
Ironically, when the snake fell on him, his vanity disappeared, and he realized how helpless he was. Even the snake
seemed vain when it looked into the mirror, creating humor. The story shows that human vanity is meaningless in
front of real danger.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q3. Narrate the incident of the snake and how the doctor reacted.
Answer:
While the doctor was admiring himself in the mirror, a cobra suddenly fell from the roof and coiled around his arm.
Its hood was only a few inches away from his face. The doctor was terrified and sat frozen like a stone image. He
dared not move, for fear of being bitten. He realized he was a foolish and vain man.
Luckily, the snake uncoiled itself and moved towards the mirror. It seemed to admire its own reflection. Taking
advantage of this, the doctor quietly slipped out of the room and escaped.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q4. How does humor play an important role in the story?
Answer:
The story is full of humor despite the frightening incident. The doctor’s silly wish for a fat wife, his pride in being a
bachelor and a doctor, and his vain admiration in the mirror are funny. The funniest part is when the snake also
looks into the mirror, as if sharing the doctor’s vanity. The ending is also humorous: the doctor escapes the snake but
later finds that a thief has stolen all his belongings, leaving only a chair.
Thus, humor lightens the fear of the snake incident and makes the story enjoyable.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q5. What lesson does the story teach us?
Answer:
The story teaches us that human vanity, pride, and material possessions are meaningless when life is in danger. The
doctor was proud of his looks and thoughts, but when faced with death, he realized how foolish and powerless he
was. The snake incident humbled him.
The story also teaches us to be humble, accept life’s unpredictability, and laugh at ourselves. It shows that humor
helps us deal with frightening situations.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q6. Compare the behavior of the doctor and the snake in the story.
Answer:
The doctor was vain, admiring himself in the mirror and thinking about improving his appearance. He even dreamt
of marrying a rich, fat lady doctor. The snake, on the other hand, appeared suddenly and coiled around him, creating
terror. However, soon it also turned towards the mirror and appeared to admire itself.
Both behaved similarly in front of the mirror—lost in self-admiration. The difference was that the doctor’s vanity was
silly and harmless, while the snake’s presence was dangerous and life-threatening. This comparison adds irony and
humor to the story.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q7. Why is the ending of the story both surprising and humorous?
Answer:
The story ends on an unexpected note. After escaping from the snake, the doctor spent the night outside. When he
returned next morning, he discovered that a thief had stolen all his belongings, leaving only the chair.
This ending is surprising because after facing death, he faces another misfortune. It is humorous because it seems as
if the thief spared only the chair as a joke. The ending keeps the light-hearted tone of the story alive.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q8. Discuss the autobiographical element in The Snake and the Mirror.
Answer:
The story is narrated in the first person by the doctor himself, making it autobiographical. He recalls his younger
days when he was poor and lived in a rented room. He shares his vanity, his silly thoughts, and his terrifying yet
funny encounter with a snake. He even describes how a thief robbed him the next day.
The narration is simple, realistic, and filled with humor, making it sound like a true incident from the doctor’s life.
The autobiographical style makes the story engaging and believable.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q9. How does the story contrast pride with helplessness?
Answer:
At first, the doctor is full of pride. He admires his looks, dreams of marrying a rich lady, and feels important as a
bachelor and a doctor. But the moment the snake lands on him, his pride disappears. He becomes helpless, frozen in
fear, unable to move or act. He realizes how foolish he has been.
This contrast shows the hollowness of human pride. It takes only one dangerous moment to shatter our vanity and
remind us of our helplessness.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q10. Why is the title The Snake and the Mirror appropriate?
Answer:
The title is apt because both the snake and the doctor are connected to the mirror. The doctor first admires himself
in it, dreaming vainly about his looks and marriage. Later, the snake turns to the mirror and seems to admire its own
reflection. The mirror becomes the object of vanity for both.
Thus, the title captures the essence of the story—vanity, irony, and humor—through the presence of the snake and
the mirror.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q11. How does the author build suspense in the story?
Answer:
The story begins lightheartedly with the doctor describing his poor room and his vanity in front of the mirror.
Suddenly, the atmosphere changes when a cobra falls on him. The suspense builds as the snake coils around his arm
and raises its hood close to his face. Every movement of the snake creates tension. The reader wonders whether it will
bite or not. Finally, the snake’s shift towards the mirror and the doctor’s escape relieve the tension. The mix of
suspense with humor makes the story captivating.
Q12. What role do the rats play in the story?
Answer:
The rats appear repeatedly in the story. Their constant noise in the room irritates the doctor but also shows his poor
living conditions. The sudden silence of the rats when the snake enters hints at danger, acting as a warning. In this
way, the rats create both realism and foreshadowing. They also add humor, as the doctor lived in a room where rats
were his constant companions. Thus, the rats are minor characters but important for setting the mood.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q13. Why did the doctor call himself a “poor, foolish, and stupid doctor”?
Answer:
The doctor realized his foolishness when the snake landed on him. He had been admiring himself vainly in the
mirror and dreaming of a rich wife, but in front of death, he could do nothing. He sat frozen like a statue, helpless
and powerless. He understood how small and silly his thoughts were compared to the seriousness of life and death.
This self-realization made him call himself poor, foolish, and stupid.
Q14. How does the story highlight the theme of irony?
Answer:
The story is filled with irony. The doctor was admiring himself in the mirror, dreaming about his looks and marriage,
but a snake on his arm turned his pride into terror. Ironically, the snake also seemed to admire itself in the mirror,
just like the doctor. Another ironic twist came when the doctor escaped the snake only to find the next morning that a
thief had stolen everything from his room. These unexpected turns make the story humorous and ironic.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q15. How did the doctor’s life change after the incident?
Answer:
The incident was a turning point in the doctor’s life. He realized the foolishness of vanity and pride. He saw how
helpless a human being becomes in the face of real danger. Later, when he moved to another house, he probably
became more humble and practical. The memory of the snake incident and the theft the next morning must have
stayed with him throughout his life as lessons in humility and humor.
Q16. How does the simple narrative style make the story effective?
Answer:
The story is told in a conversational style, as if the doctor is narrating it to friends. The simple language, realistic
details, and humor make it engaging. The suspense of the snake incident is balanced by the funny ending, keeping
the tone light. The first-person narration makes the story believable and relatable. Readers feel they are listening to a
real-life event, which makes the story effective.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q17. Explain how the doctor’s dreams about marriage reflect his character.
Answer:
The doctor dreamed of marrying a rich lady doctor who would not only be wealthy but also fat, so that she could not
chase him if he made mistakes. These thoughts reflect his childishness, vanity, and immaturity. He valued wealth and
appearance more than qualities like kindness or wisdom. This shows that he was a simple, ordinary man with silly
ideas. However, the snake incident humbled him, and he later laughed at his foolish dreams.
Q18. What message does the story convey about facing unexpected challenges in life?
Answer:
The story conveys that life is unpredictable, and challenges come without warning. The doctor never imagined that a
snake would fall on him while he admired himself in the mirror. In such moments, human pride disappears, and
humility takes over. The story teaches that we must stay calm, not panic, and accept life’s uncertainties. Humor, too,
can help us cope with challenges, as seen in how the doctor later laughed at the incident.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q19. How does the story balance fear and humor?
Answer:
The story creates fear when the snake coils around the doctor’s arm and raises its hood near his face. The doctor sits
frozen, expecting death. But the humor comes from his silly thoughts about his looks, his wish for a fat wife, and the
snake’s behavior of admiring itself in the mirror. Even the ending, where a thief steals everything except the chair, is
funny. This balance makes the story entertaining rather than terrifying.
Q20. Why is the story remembered as one of Basheer’s best humorous tales?
Answer:
Vaikom Muhammad Basheer was famous for his simple storytelling filled with humor. The Snake and the Mirror is
remembered as one of his best because it combines real-life experience with wit, irony, and suspense. The story is
short but impactful, showing the doctor’s vanity, fear, and realization. The humor makes it memorable, while the
moral about human weakness makes it meaningful. That is why this story is loved by readers and widely studied.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q21. Describe the setting of the doctor’s room. How does it contribute to the story?
Answer:
The doctor’s room was a small rented place with no electricity. It was poorly furnished with just a chair, a table, a
lamp, and a mirror. Rats constantly made noise, showing the unhygienic condition. This humble setting highlights
the doctor’s poverty at the start of his career. At the same time, it provides the perfect atmosphere for the sudden
arrival of the snake. The darkness, the silence after the rats disappeared, and the doctor’s loneliness all contribute to
the suspense and realism of the story.
Q22. What role does the mirror play in the story?
Answer:
The mirror is both a symbol and a turning point in the story. At first, it represents the doctor’s vanity—he admires his
looks and thinks about shaving and marriage. Later, when the snake turns towards the mirror, it seems to admire
itself too, creating irony and humor. The mirror acts as a link between the doctor and the snake, showing that both
are vain in their own way. Thus, the mirror is central to the theme of vanity and irony.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q23. Explain the humor in the doctor’s wish for a “fat wife.”
Answer:
The doctor wished for a fat wife so that if he ever did something foolish, she would not be able to run fast and catch
him. This thought is childish and funny, showing the doctor’s immaturity. The humor lies in the idea that the doctor
wanted to escape punishment not through wisdom but by choosing a slow wife. The snake incident later makes him
realize how silly such ideas were.
Q24. Why did the doctor sit “like a stone image in the flesh”?
Answer:
When the cobra coiled around his arm, the doctor was paralyzed with fear. He knew that even the slightest
movement could provoke the snake to bite him. Therefore, he sat frozen, unable to move or breathe freely. The
expression “like a stone image in the flesh” shows his complete helplessness. This moment of stillness builds the
suspense and shows the thin line between life and death.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q25. How is the doctor’s poverty shown in the story?
Answer:
The doctor had just started his medical practice, so he was very poor. He had only sixty rupees, some shirts, dhotis,
and one black coat. His rented room was small and without electricity. He had to use a kerosene lamp. Even his table
contained only a mirror, comb, and medical books. These details show his simple, struggling life. The theft next
morning, when even these few belongings were stolen, highlights his helpless situation.
Q26. How is the ending of the story both shocking and humorous?
Answer:
After surviving a life-threatening encounter with a cobra, the doctor shifted to another room. The next morning,
when he returned with friends, he discovered that a thief had stolen all his belongings except the chair. This was
shocking because he lost everything overnight. Yet, it was humorous because the thief, unlike the snake, posed no life
risk but still emptied his room. The sudden shift from terror to humor makes the ending memorable.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q27. Discuss the use of irony in the snake admiring itself in the mirror.
Answer:
When the snake moved away from the doctor and looked into the mirror, it seemed to admire its reflection. This was
ironic because earlier the doctor himself had been doing the same—admiring his looks and thinking about his
moustache. The snake copying the doctor’s vanity shows the foolishness of pride. The situation is both frightening
and funny, highlighting Basheer’s unique use of irony.
Q28. How did the doctor’s thoughts change from vanity to humility during the incident?
Answer:
At first, the doctor was full of vanity. He looked into the mirror, admired his appearance, and dreamed of marrying a
rich, fat lady. But the moment the snake fell on him, his thoughts changed completely. He realized he was foolish and
helpless. He prayed silently and accepted his smallness before nature. This transformation from pride to humility
shows human weakness in front of danger.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q29. Describe the sequence of events after the snake fell on the doctor.
Answer:
The snake fell from the roof and landed on the doctor’s shoulder. Then it coiled around his left arm above the elbow,
with its hood raised near his face. The doctor sat frozen in fear, not daring to move. After a few minutes, the snake
uncoiled itself and moved towards the mirror on the table. Taking this chance, the doctor got up slowly and slipped
out of the room, saving himself.
Q30. How does Basheer combine realism with humor in the story?
Answer:
Basheer uses real-life details like poverty, rats in the room, a kerosene lamp, and medical books to make the story
realistic. At the same time, he adds humor through the doctor’s vanity, silly dreams about a fat wife, and the snake
seemingly admiring itself in the mirror. The ending, where the thief steals everything, adds another comic twist. This
combination makes the story entertaining and believable.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q31. Why is The Snake and the Mirror considered a blend of fear, irony, and humor?
Answer:
The fear comes from the cobra coiling around the doctor’s arm, a life-threatening situation. Irony is seen in the
doctor’s vain thoughts interrupted by danger, and the snake’s own vanity in the mirror. Humor arises from the
doctor’s childish wish for a fat wife and the final twist of the theft. This mix of fear, irony, and humor makes the story
unique and unforgettable.
Q32. What lessons can young readers learn from the story?
Answer:
Young readers can learn that vanity and pride are meaningless in front of real challenges. Life is unpredictable, and
one must be humble. The story also teaches the importance of remaining calm in difficult situations. Finally, it shows
that humor can help us deal with hardships and look back on them without bitterness.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q33. In what ways does the story reflect human weaknesses?
Answer:
The doctor’s weaknesses—vanity, pride, and childish thinking—are shown through his dreams of looking handsome
and marrying a fat wife. When the snake appears, his weakness is also visible in his helplessness and fear. The theft
the next morning reflects human greed and dishonesty. Thus, the story mirrors real human flaws in a humorous way.
Q34. Compare the characters of the doctor and the snake.
Answer:
The doctor is vain, foolish, and helpless in danger. He admires himself and has silly dreams but realizes his stupidity
when faced with death. The snake, on the other hand, is calm, silent, and unpredictable. Ironically, both share vanity
—the doctor in his looks and the snake in its reflection. This comparison adds depth and humor to the story.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

Q35. How does the conversational style of narration engage the reader?
Answer:
The story is narrated in first person, as if the doctor is telling it directly to an audience of friends. The casual style,
use of humor, and direct sharing of feelings make readers feel part of the conversation. Suspense is balanced with
wit, keeping readers curious yet entertained. This style is simple but powerful, making the story enjoyable for all
ages.
QUESTIONS AND ANS:

ERUDITE
CLASSES
Thank
You
7978291742
eruditeclasses24@gmail.com
www.eruditeclass.com
Bhubaneswar, Odisha

The Snake and the Mirror | Important Questions & Answers

More Related Content

More from ERUDITE CLASSES

Recently uploaded

The Snake and the Mirror | Important Questions & Answers