Chapter Wise Topic Wise Notes Class 9 English (Prose) Chapter 5 The Snake and the Mirror

“The Snake and the Mirror” is a humorous and suspenseful story by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. It recounts the experiences of a homeopathic doctor who encounters a snake in his room one night. The story describes his initial vanity and self-admiration in front of a mirror, which quickly turns into terror when he finds a snake coiled around his arm. Through the doctor’s humorous and reflective narration, the story explores themes of fear, vanity, and the unpredictable nature of life. It also subtly highlights the human tendency to reflect on one’s life choices when faced with a crisis.