Presentation by

- Rohan
 Birth
by - A.J. CRONIN
 About the auther

A.J.Cronin's novel 'The

Citadel'.
Born
19 July 1896, Cardross, United Kingdom
Died
6 January 1981, Montreux, Switzerland
Full Name
Archibald Joseph Cronin
Movies and TV shows
Citadel, The Stars Look Down
Awards
National Book Award for Fiction
What is the about birth

The story is an extract from The

Citadel. Moreover, it narrates how a
medical fresher handles a case of child
delivery. Also, in a secretive way, he gets
back living in an apparently dead child.
 Birth Theme
Dr Andrew Manson has just begun his medical practice in
the small Welsh mining town of Blaenelly. When he returns
from a terrible evening with his girlfriend Christine, Joe
Morgan approaches Dr Andrew Manson to help in the
delivery of his wife.
Dr Andrew Manson has to put in much labour in the
delivery, as the mother requires much attention before she
is revived. Further, the baby was not breathing at birth.
Using all his knowledge and intuition, Dr Andrew Manson
makes more efforts to revive the child. After almost half an
hour of frantic efforts, he succeeds and comes away with a
sense of achievement.
 Birth About the Characters

Dr Andrew Manson: He is a young medical graduate working in a small mining town.

On the call of Joe Morgan, a miner, Dr Andrew Manson manages to help in a difficult
birth and saves the baby’s life due to his knowledge and efforts.
Joe Morgan: He is the miner husband of Susan Morgan. He asks Dr Andrew Manson to
help in his wife’s delivery and reposes full faith in the doctor.
Susan Morgan’s Mother: She is a tall, grey-haired woman aged 70 who is concerned
about her daughter’s happiness.
The Midwife: She is pessimistic about the child’s survival when he is found to be not
breathing when born, but still dutifully assists Dr Andrew Manson in his work.
 Birth Chapter Highlights

• Dr Andrew was a young medical graduate who worked as an

assistant to Dr Edward Page in a small Welsh mining town,
Blaenelly.
• Dr Andrew was returning home after a disappointing evening
with his girlfriend Christine,
• Dr Andrew found Joe Morgan, anxious and scared, waiting for
him.
• Joe Morgan informed him that the doctor was needed at their
home as his wife was in labour before the expected date. This
was to be their first child in a marriage of nearly twenty years.
• When they reached the house, Dr Andrew realised that he
would have to wait some time; so he decided to wait
downstairs.
 Birth Chapter Highlights
• Then Dr Andrew is called upstairs and starts his work. After an hour’s struggle, the child, a
perfectly formed boy, was born lifeless.
• Dr Andrew was horrified but continued his effort first to save the mother, whose energy was
reducing.
• After the mother was safe, his attention went to the child. He instinctively decides to revive the
child.
• Dr Andrew quickly diagnoses the most probable cause for the still birth i.e. asphyxia pallida.
• Dr Andrew recalls a method he had once read about by which such a child had been successfully
saved.
• Dr Andrew tries alternate hot and cold water treatment to revive the child’s breath.
• Dr Andrew then rubbed the baby’s body with a rough towel, crushing and releasing the chest.
• A medical miracle happens. The child finally breathes. Dr Andrew redoubles his efforts till the child
cries.
• After handing over the baby to the midwife, Dr Andrew left the house. He realised that he had truly
saved a life that night, fulfilling the purpose of his profession.
• For the first time Dr Andrew felt that he had done something ‘real’, something worthwhile.
Thank you

- ROHAN