The Doctor's Word | Question-Answer | Invitation to English 2 | +2 2nd Year | CHSE Odisha

 The Doctor's Word

By R. K. Narayan

Text Book Question and Answer

Unit - 1

1. Why did the patients visit Dr. Raman only when they were hopeless? 

Ans: 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 fees. The poor patients were not able to pay such a high amount. Secondly, Dr. Raman made straightforward remarks on the patient's condition without hiding anything which frightened patients and relatives. 

2. What impression of Dr. Raman do you get from the passage? 

Ans: The passage shows that Dr. Raman was a gifted doctor. He was straightforward in declaring the condition of the patients. It was not his nature to hide the real stage of the patient. He does not care what others think or say about him. He could make a perfect diagnosis. If he noticed faint signs of his cure, he would fight with Yama to return the life of the patient. 

Unit - 2

1. How does the writer describe the friendship between Dr. Raman and Gopal?

Ans: Dr. Raman and Gopal were known to each other since Kindergarten days. In later life, being attached to family and profession, they could not meet each other frequently. Dr. Raman was over busy. Gopal came to meet him on Sundays. When the doctor became free they would come out, dine together, watch cinema and talk of each other's life and activities. It was a classic friendship standing over untouched by changing times, circumstances and activities. 

2. How did Dr. Raman come to know about Gopal's illness? 

Ans: Dr. Raman and Gopal were close friends. Gopal paid a visit to Dr. Raman in his clinic every Sunday. He had not visited him for three months. Being busy, Dr. Raman had not noticed it. When Gopal's son came and reported to him that his father was ill, mother sent for him, then he realised about Gopal's long absence and immediately moved to his house to attend to him.

Unit - 3

1. Why didn't Gopal's wife call for Dr. Raman earlier? 

Ans: Gopal's wife knew that Dr. Raman was very busy. He had no time for visiting patients' houses. So when Gopal fell ill, she did not want to disturb him in his busy schedule. But when the situation became worse, the local doctor failed, being undone, she called for Dr. Raman. 

2. What steps did the doctor take to save his friend from death? 

Ans: Gopal was a friend of Dr. Raman. So the doctor rushed to Gopal's house hearing about his sickness. Seeing his condition, tears came to his eyes. He prepared: injection and shot the drug. He watched his symptoms closely. When no change came over the patient he arranged an operation to save his life.

Unit - 4

1. What was Dr. Raman's reaction when his assist and said- "Sir, he will pull through"? 

Ans: The doctor performed an operation on Gopal. Towards eleven at night, Gopal stirred a bit. The assistant looked delighted and said- Sir, he will pull through. But the doctor said coldly- Don't trust it. It is only a will to keep up till eight in the morning, it will go on for the next forty years, but I doubt it. 

2. What was Dr. Raman's response when Gopal's wife asked about his condition?  

Ans: Gopal, after a few hours of operation, opened his eyes, smiled at the doctor, and ate some food. The family members thought the danger was over. But the doctor looked grave. It puzzled Gopal's wife. She asked, Doctor ! What about him now? How is he? Two doctors said- don't get excited. I would rather not talk to you now.

Unit - 5

1. Why did Gopal ask Dr. Raman- "Am I going ?" What was he anxious about? 

Ans: Gopal's wife and Dr. Raman were talking. The latter said that Gopal's condition was critical. Hearing this Gopal's wife wept bitterly. Gopal heard her cry and imagined that he was going to die. To be confirmed he asked the doctor- Doctor! Am I going to die ? He was anxious about his death. 

2. Was Dr. Raman upset at this question ? Give your reasons. 

Ans: Gopal asked Dr. Raman- "Doctor! Am I going to die ? Don't hide it from me." Gopal's question upset the doctor because Gopal was his best friend. He knew that he was never whitewashed. People attached great value to his words. How would he say to his best friend that he was going to die after a few minutes. 

3. Why did Dr. Raman decide to tell a lie ? 

Ans: Gopal asked Dr. Raman- "Am I going to die ?" If so please give me a paper. I will make a will of my property in favour of my children. Dr. Raman thought, if he gave the will, that he declared that he would die. In this case his possibility of death would be quickened. If he did not give the will, Subbiah and his gang would occupy his property. He went against his nature and told a lie to keep Gopal happy so that he might be cured psychologically. 

4. How did he answer Gopal's question? 

Ans: Gopal asked- "Am I going to die ?" The doctor after much thought, to save the life of Gopal, said-Gopal, listen ! Don't worry about the will now. You are going to live, your heart is absolutely sound. His words actually saved Gopal's life, for he paid much value to the doctor's word. 

5. How did Gopal accept Dr. Raman's words? 

Ans: Gopal knew Dr. Raman since childhood. He knew that he would never whitewash the condition of the patient. When he said- Gopal ! you are going to live. Your heart is absolutely sound, Gopal looked delighted. A glow suffused on the patient's face and he said- Do you say so? If it comes from your lips, it must be true. He fell asleep happily. 

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Unit - 6

1. Did Dr. Raman believe that his patient would recover that night? Why do you think so? 

Ans: Dr. Raman did not believe that his patient would recover that night, because he told the assistant that his life might collapse at any moment. If he feels much pain, he will give a tube of poison to him for a peaceful death. Besides he had told Gopal's wife that nothing could be told about him till next morning. 

2. "Don't look so unhappy, lady." Why does Dr. Raman say so? 

Ans: The lady or Gopal's wife asked Dr. Raman about the condition of her husband. He said that nothing could be said for certain till next morning. So she was restless. The next morning, the patient's condition improved and then Dr. Raman told his wife- "Don't look so unhappy, lady. Your husband will live to be ninety. 

3. Does human life hang on a doctor's word? Give a reasoned answer. 

Ans: People treat doctors as Gods, and they value their words seriously. If they say the patient would recover, they look happy. If they give negative remarks, they weep. Gopal was Dr. Raman's friend. He knew that Dr. Raman never told a lie to the patients. When he said that he would survive, Gopal believed it and he got psychological strength. He survived.