Summary of The Snake and the Mirror
The story The Snake and the Mirror by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer is a humorous account of a young, self-absorbed doctor who encounters a frightening yet comical situation with a snake. The doctor lives in a small, sparse rented room with minimal possessions. One night, as he admires himself in the mirror and fantasizes about his looks, marriage, and future, he hears a familiar sound, which he dismisses as rats. But suddenly, a snake drops onto his shoulder and coils around his arm, leaving him petrified.
In his terror, the doctor freezes, fearing any movement might provoke the snake to bite. At this moment, his vanity vanishes, and he realizes how foolish and helpless he is. Miraculously, the snake becomes distracted by its own reflection in the mirror and uncoils from his arm. The doctor seizes the chance to escape, dashing out of the room to safety. The next day, he returns to find most of his belongings stolen, save for his dirty vest, which the thief humorously left behind.
The story blends humour with suspense and irony, illustrating the doctor’s vanity and how, in a crisis, his self-centred thoughts are replaced by genuine fear and humility.
Thinking about the Text (Q&A of The Snake and the Mirror)
I. Discuss in pairs and answer each question below in a short paragraph (30–40 words).
1. “The sound was a familiar one.” What sound did the doctor hear? What did he think it was? How many times did he hear it? When and why did the sounds stop?
The doctor heard the sound of rats moving around in the ceiling, which he was used to as they shared the room. He heard it twice while grooming himself, and it stopped right before the snake appeared, probably due to the snake’s presence.
2. What two “important” and “earth-shaking” decisions did the doctor take while he was looking into the mirror?
While looking into the mirror, the doctor decided to shave daily and grow a thin moustache to appear more attractive. He also decided to keep smiling to make himself look friendlier and more handsome.
3. “I looked into the mirror and smiled,” says the doctor. A little later he says, “I forgot my danger and smiled feebly at myself.” What is the doctor’s opinion about himself when: (i) he first smiles, and (ii) he smiles again? In what way do his thoughts change in between, and why?
(i) Initially, the doctor smiles confidently, admiring his looks and feeling pleased with himself.
(ii) Later, when he smiles weakly, he realizes his foolishness for being vain in a life-threatening moment. His thoughts shift from pride to a sense of helplessness as he faces the snake’s danger.
II. This story(The Snake and the Mirror) about a frightening incident is narrated in a humorous way. What makes it humorous? (Think of the contrasts it presents between dreams and reality.)
1. (i) The kind of person the doctor is (money, possessions)
The doctor is a struggling, newly-practicing physician with little money and a small, simple rented room with few possessions. He lives modestly and is not wealthy.
(ii) The kind of person he wants to be (appearance, ambition)
The doctor dreams of looking attractive, being well-dressed, and having a charming smile. He imagines himself as successful, admired, and someone who leaves a strong impression.
2. (i) The person he wants to marry
The doctor dreams of marrying a wealthy woman doctor who also has a successful practice. He wishes she would be a bit plump so that she wouldn’t be able to chase him if he made mistakes.
(ii) The person he actually marries
In reality, the doctor marries a thin, swift woman who can easily run, which is the opposite of his “ideal” wife.
3. (i) His thoughts when he looks into the mirror
When the doctor first looks into the mirror, he feels confident, admiring his own appearance and planning ways to make himself look even more attractive.
(ii) His thoughts when the snake is coiled around his arm
When the snake coils around him, his thoughts shift from vanity to fear and helplessness. He becomes deeply aware of his vulnerability and prays for safety, forgetting all his earlier pride and plans.
Comprehension and Analysis Questions from The Snake and the Mirror
- What is the significance of the mirror in the story? How does it relate to the doctor’s character?
The mirror is a symbol of the doctor’s vanity. He often looks at himself in the mirror, admiring his looks and thinking about how handsome he appears. This shows that he is very proud of his appearance and wants to look impressive. - Why does the doctor consider his smile “attractive”? How does his vanity affect his actions in the story?
The doctor believes his smile makes him look good and charming, which is part of his self-centered nature. His vanity makes him think highly of himself and even distracts him from practical worries—until he encounters the snake. - What are the doctor’s two “earth-shaking” decisions, and what do they reveal about his personality?
His first decision is to shave daily and grow a thin mustache to look more handsome. The second is to always keep a smile on his face. These decisions show that he is concerned about his looks and wants to impress others, showing his vanity and self-importance. - How does the author use humor to describe a dangerous situation? Why is this approach effective?
The author uses funny details like the doctor worrying about his looks even in a serious situation. When the snake appears, the doctor’s thoughts quickly shift, which makes the situation amusing. This approach is effective because it makes the story enjoyable and light-hearted despite the danger. - What role does the setting—a small, dimly lit room—play in creating the atmosphere of the story?
The small, dimly lit room with rats and no electricity makes the setting feel old and simple, adding to the suspense. It also creates a dark, tense atmosphere that makes the encounter with the snake more dramatic and frightening.
Critical Thinking Questions from The Snake and the Mirror
- How do the doctor’s thoughts change from the beginning of the story to the moment the snake appears?
At first, the doctor thinks only about himself and his looks. But when the snake appears, he becomes terrified and realizes how helpless he is. His thoughts shift from vanity to fear, showing a change from pride to humility. - In what ways does the doctor’s fear transform his perspective on life?
The doctor’s fear makes him realize how vulnerable he is. He no longer thinks about his looks or ambitions but instead prays to God for safety. This shows that fear can make people see what truly matters. - What lesson does the doctor learn from this encounter? How might this experience impact his character?
The doctor learns that vanity and pride don’t matter in a life-threatening situation. He understands the value of safety and realizes his helplessness. This experience may make him more humble and less focused on his appearance. - Discuss the irony in the doctor’s idea of an “ideal” wife compared to whom he actually marries.
The doctor imagines marrying a rich, fat woman so he can run away if he needs to. But in reality, he marries a thin, fast woman. This is ironic because he ends up with someone who is the opposite of his “ideal.” - How does the snake serve as both a source of danger and comic relief in the story?
The snake is dangerous as it could easily bite the doctor, but it also adds humor when it looks into the mirror, like it’s admiring itself. This contrast between danger and humor makes the story more interesting.
Vocabulary and Language Questions
- Identify expressions or phrases in the story that show the doctor’s fear. What effect do these words have on the reader?
Expressions like “I was turned to stone,” “holding my breath,” and “paralyzed with fear” show his fear. These words help readers feel the doctor’s fear and make the situation more intense. - How does the use of vivid imagery help convey the doctor’s feelings and the tense atmosphere?
The author uses vivid imagery like describing the doctor’s “stone image in flesh” and the snake’s movements. This helps readers picture the scene clearly and feel the doctor’s emotions, creating a tense atmosphere. - What are some words or phrases the author uses to inject humor into the story?
Phrases like “earth-shaking decisions” for simple thoughts, or the snake deciding to grow a mustache, add humor. These funny thoughts make the story light-hearted and entertaining.
Personal Reflection Questions
- Have you ever been in a situation where you felt helpless? How did you handle it, and what did you learn?
Personal answer may vary. Example: Yes, I once felt helpless when I got lost in a new place. I stayed calm and asked someone for directions. I learned that staying calm helps in tough situations. - Do you think the doctor was justified in feeling proud of his appearance? Why or why not?
No, he was probably overconfident. While feeling good about oneself is fine, being too proud can make a person forget important things, like safety and humility, as the doctor learned in the story. - If you were in the doctor’s place, how would you react to such an encounter with a snake?
Personal answer may vary. Example: I would probably be very scared and try to stay still, just like the doctor, hoping the snake would leave on its own.
Extract-based MCQs from The Snake and the Mirror
Extract 1
“I heard a noise from above as I opened the door. The sound was a familiar one. One could say that the rats and I shared the room.”
Questions:
- What noise does the doctor hear when he opens the door?
- (a) The sound of footsteps
- (b) The rustling of leaves
- (c) The noise of rats
- (d) The hissing of a snake
Answer: (c) The noise of rats
- Why does the doctor refer to the noise as “familiar”?
- (a) He has heard it before.
- (b) It is a common noise in his neighborhood.
- (c) He lives with rats as his “roommates.”
- (d) The noise reminds him of his home. Answer: (c) He lives with rats as his “roommates.”
- What does this extract reveal about the doctor’s living conditions?
- (a) Luxurious and spacious
- (b) Simple but comfortable
- (c) Poor and basic
- (d) Clean and modern Answer: (c) Poor and basic
Extract 2
“I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile. I made another earth-shaking decision. I would always keep that attractive smile on my face… to look more handsome.”
Questions:
- What “earth-shaking” decision does the doctor make?
- (a) To change his job
- (b) To keep smiling to look handsome
- (c) To move to a new house
- (d) To buy new clothes Answer: (b) To keep smiling to look handsome
- The doctor’s focus on his appearance shows that he is:
- (a) Very ambitious
- (b) Extremely vain
- (c) Terribly anxious
- (d) Generally humble Answer: (b) Extremely vain
- What does the doctor believe his smile will achieve?
- (a) It will make him rich.
- (b) It will make him look more attractive.
- (c) It will help him make friends.
- (d) It will make him smarter. Answer: (b) It will make him look more attractive.
Extract 3
“I got up, paced up and down the room. Then another lovely thought struck me. I would marry. I would get married to a woman doctor who had plenty of money and a good medical practice.”
Questions:
- What is the doctor’s idea of an ideal partner?
- (a) Someone who is wealthy
- (b) Someone who loves him deeply
- (c) Someone who is highly educated
- (d) Someone who is cheerful Answer: (a) Someone who is wealthy
- Why does the doctor want to marry a woman with a good medical practice?
- (a) He loves medical discussions.
- (b) He wants someone who understands his profession.
- (c) He is motivated by financial security.
- (d) He wants to share patients with her. Answer: (c) He is motivated by financial security.
- What does this passage reveal about the doctor’s personality?
- (a) He is humble and hardworking.
- (b) He is materialistic and ambitious.
- (c) He is helpful and generous.
- (d) He is shy and nervous. Answer: (b) He is materialistic and ambitious.
Extract 4
“The snake slithered along my shoulder and coiled around my left arm above the elbow. The hood was spread out and its head was hardly three or four inches from my face!”
Questions:
- Where does the snake position itself on the doctor?
- (a) Around his neck
- (b) On his shoulder and left arm
- (c) Coiled around his legs
- (d) Around his waist Answer: (b) On his shoulder and left arm
- How close was the snake’s head to the doctor’s face?
- (a) About three or four feet
- (b) Nearly six inches away
- (c) Almost touching his forehead
- (d) Only three or four inches away Answer: (d) Only three or four inches away
- What emotion does the doctor experience when the snake coils around him?
- (a) Joy
- (b) Relief
- (c) Absolute terror
- (d) Curiosity Answer: (c) Absolute terror
Extract 5
“The snake turned its head. It looked into the mirror and saw its reflection. I do not claim that it was the first snake that had ever looked into a mirror. But it was certain that the snake was looking into the mirror.”
Questions:
- What does the snake do after coiling around the doctor?
- (a) It bites the doctor.
- (b) It slides onto the mirror to look at itself.
- (c) It falls to the ground and leaves.
- (d) It coils tightly around the doctor’s neck. Answer: (b) It slides onto the mirror to look at itself.
- How does the doctor interpret the snake’s action?
- (a) He thinks it’s angry.
- (b) He believes the snake is admiring itself.
- (c) He fears the snake will bite him.
- (d) He thinks the snake is confused. Answer: (b) He believes the snake is admiring itself.
- What is the doctor’s reaction to the snake’s movement toward the mirror?
- (a) He is relieved and slowly escapes.
- (b) He panics and screams.
- (c) He tries to shoo the snake away.
- (d) He immediately attacks the snake. Answer: (a) He is relieved and slowly escapes.
Thinking about Language (The Snake and the Mirror)
I. Here are some sentences from the text(The Snake and the Mirror). Say which of them tell you that the author: (a) was afraid of the snake, (b) was proud of his appearance, (c) had a sense of humour, (d) was no longer afraid of the snake.
- “I was turned to stone.”
(a) was afraid of the snake – This phrase shows his fear, as he was so scared that he couldn’t move. - “I was no mere image cut in granite.”
(d) was no longer afraid of the snake – He felt alive and full of relief once the snake moved away. - “The arm was beginning to be drained of strength.”
(a) was afraid of the snake – His fear was so intense that it left him feeling weak and powerless. - “I tried in my imagination to write in bright letters outside my little heart the words, ‘O God’.”
(a) was afraid of the snake – This sentence reflects his fear, making him turn to God in prayer. - “I didn’t tremble. I didn’t cry out.”
(a) was afraid of the snake – He was too terrified to move or make a sound. - “I looked into the mirror and smiled. It was an attractive smile.”
(b) was proud of his appearance – This shows that he admired himself and thought he looked good. - “I was suddenly a man of flesh and blood.”
(d) was no longer afraid of the snake – He felt alive and normal again after the snake left. - “I was after all a bachelor, and a doctor too on top of it!”
(b) was proud of his appearance – This shows he was confident and admired himself. - “The fellow had such a sense of cleanliness…! The rascal could have taken it and used it after washing it with soap and water.”
(c) had a sense of humour – Here, he jokes about the thief’s “cleanliness” for leaving behind his dirty vest. - “Was it trying to make an important decision about growing a moustache or using eye shadow and mascara or wearing a vermilion spot on its forehead.”
(c) had a sense of humour – This is a humorous remark about the snake admiring its reflection in the mirror, as if it cared about its appearance.
II. Expressions used to show fear
1. I was turned
to stone.
2. I sat there holding
my breath.
3. In the light of the lamp I sat there like
a stone image in the flesh.
III. Meanings of Words/Expressions Showing Fear
1. I knew a man was following me, I was scared out of my wits.
(very frightened)
2. I got a fright when I realised how close I was to the cliff edge.
(is frightened by something that happens suddenly)
3. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw the bull coming towards him.
(is very frightened)
4. You really gave me a fright when you crept up behind me like that.
(makes another feel frightened)
5. Wait until I tell his story — it will make your hair stand on end.
(is very frightened)
6. Paralysed with fear, the boy faced his abductors.
(is too scared to move)
7. The boy hid behind the door, not moving a muscle.
(is too scared to move)
IV. Reported Questions
1. Meena asked her friend, “Do you think your teacher will come today?”
Meena asked her friend if she thought her teacher would come that day.
2. David asked his colleague, “Where will you go this summer?”
David asked his colleague where he would go that summer.
3. He asked the little boy, “Why are you studying English?”
He asked the little boy why he was studying English.
4. She asked me, “When are we going to leave?”
She asked me when we were going to leave.
5. Pran asked me, “Have you finished reading the newspaper?”
Pran asked me if I had finished reading the newspaper.
6. Seema asked her, “How long have you lived here?”
Seema asked her how long she had lived there.
7. Sheila asked the children, “Are you ready to do the work?”
Sheila asked the children if they were ready to do the work.
Speaking
Using some of the expressions given above in exercise III, talk about an incident when you were very scared. You may have a competition to decide whose story was the most frightening.
One evening, I was walking back home alone after watching a late-night movie. The streets were almost empty, and there was an eerie silence. Suddenly, I had a strange feeling that someone was following me. I looked over my shoulder and saw a shadow moving quickly behind me. I was scared out of my wits and felt like I could jump out of my skin! I tried to quicken my pace, but the shadow seemed to get closer. When I finally reached my door, I quickly fumbled with my keys, paralysed with fear, unable to move as I felt the shadow close in. Just then, I realised it was only a stray dog walking in my direction! I had been terrified for no reason, but at that moment, I really thought my heart would stop beating.