Short Story
3. The Doctor’s Word (R K Narayan)
5. Answer ANY Two of the following question in about 100 words each [2×4=8]
a. Sketch the character of Dr.Raman.
b.”People came to him (Dr.Raman) when the patient was on his last legs” why?
c. Describe Gopal’s health condition and his anxiety about the will.
d.”If my word can save his life, he shall not die,” said Dr.Raman to himself. Explain the situation that makes the doctor say so.
The Short story “The Doctor’s Word“, is written by R.K Narayan.
Rasipuram Kruhnaswami Narayan’s a leading writer of early Indian Literature in English. His works were so popular that his readers spread from New York to Moscow. Malgudi, his fictional creation, forms the setting of his works. He won Padma Bhushan, The Padma Vibhushan, and The Sahitya Akademi award.
Dr.Raman is the lead character in the story “The Doctor’s Word”. He is practicing as a medical doctor. He is an expert in his profession. He is truthful hard working and very dedicated and never left any stone unturned to save the lives of his patients. His patients hold him in high regard. He is more a man of deeds than of words. He maintains a high standard of ethics He never believes in soothing lies. However, if there is a slight possibility of a cure, he would compel Yamaraj to give back life.
The patients and their relatives know well that Dr.Raman was an expert doctor, yet they visit him at the eleventh hour because Dr.Raman demands twenty-five rupees per patient as his visiting fee. Secondly, Dr.Raman made straightforward remarks on the Patient’s condition without hiding anything which frightened patients and relatives.
Gopal is Dr.Raman’s childhood friend. One day Dr. Raman is in the hospital. There comes Gopal’s son and informs him that his father is seriously ill. Immediately he rushes to Gopal’s house and examines him. He gives an injection and prepares to perform an operation. Dr.Raman returns after some time with a nurse and an assistant. Indeed it is his anxiety that has led to the heart problem. After 5, Gopal opens his eyes. The assistant is overjoyed. But Dr.Raman looks worried. He says that it is a false flash. If the pulse goes on till the next morning, he would be out of danger, otherwise, anything might happen at night. Hearing this Gopal’s wife wept bitterly. He asks the Doctor why is she crying and doubts- “Am I going to die?” if so please arrange my will paper, otherwise, after my death, Subbiah and his gang would take all the property and my family would be ruined. Dr.Raman decides to break his principles and tells a lie that he will be alright. This gives Gopal, hope, and recovers fully. But how he has survived will remain puzzled by the doctor all his life.
Thus R.K. Narayana’s story “The Doctor’s Word” is remarkable for its gripping narration.
OR
The short story “The Doctor’s Word” is written by R. K. Narayan. He wrote stories, novels, and essays. He won many awards like the Padma Bhushan, the Padma Vibhushan, and Sahitya Akademi Award.
Dr.Raman is the lead character in the story. He is truthful, hardworking, and very dedicated. He never believes in soothing lies. However, if there is a slight possibility of a cure, he would compel Yamaraj to give back to life. The patients visit him at the eleventh hour because he demands twenty-five rupees fees and remarks on the patient’s condition without hiding anything which frightened patients and relatives.
One day there comes Gopal’s son informs that his father is seriously ill. Immediately he rushes to Gopal’s house and finds a heart that is very weak. He gives an injection and prepares to perform an operation. In fact, it is his anxiety that has led to the heart problem. After 5 Gopal opens his eyes. The assistant is overjoyed. But Dr. Raman looks worried. He says that it is a false flash. If the pulse goes on till the next morning. He would be out of danger. Otherwise, anything might happen at night.
Gopal asks the Doctor why his wife is crying and doubts “Am I going to die?”. If so please arrange my will paper. Dr. Raman decides to break his principle and tells a lie that he will be alright. This gives Gopal, hope and recovers fully. But how he has survived will remain a puzzle to the doctor all his life.
R.K. Narayan’s short story “The Doctor’s Word” is remarkable for its gripping narration.
