What was the profession of the narrator?
Homeopathic doctor
Where did the snake land?
The snake landed on the doctor’s shoulder.
What item was not taken from the doctor’s room after the incident?
His dirty vest
What was the doctor doing when the snake entered the room?
The doctor was admiring himself in the mirror and daydreaming about his future — imagining himself as a successful, attractive, and married man.
How did the snake get distracted and leave the doctor alone?
The snake became interested in its own reflection in the mirror and slowly slithered off the doctor’s arm toward the mirror. Taking advantage of this moment, the doctor ran out of the house.
How did the doctor react when the snake was on him?
He sat still and was very scared.
What did the doctor do when the snake moved away?
He ran out of the room and spent the night at a friend’s house.
What did the doctor find missing when he returned the next day?
Everything was stolen except his dirty vest.
How did the narrator describe his appearance when he looked in the mirror
He thought he looked handsome, and he admired his smile and appearance
What lesson does the story teach
Human vanity is fragile; humility is essential in life.
Why does the doctor consider this incident a turning point in his life
It humbled him, made him realize his foolishness, and taught him to abandon his arrogance and vanity.
Why does the doctor imagine marrying a fat woman doctor specifically? What does this reveal about his personality?
He believes a fat wife would not be able to run fast if she ever chased him. This shows his vanity and immaturity.
What does the story reveal about the unpredictability of life
In one moment the doctor is vain, and in the next he faces death, showing how quickly life can change.
Why does the doctor remain motionless when the snake lands on him? What does this tell us about human instinct?
He freezes out of fear, realizing any sudden movement could provoke the snake. It shows that in extreme danger, human instinct often shifts to complete stillness as a survival mechanism.
Describe the doctors house
The doctor lived in a small, rented outer room of a tiled house. It was not electrified, so he used a kerosene lamp for light. The room was simple and poorly furnished, with a table, chair, and a mirror, and it was often disturbed by **rats running about.