NCERT Solutions for Class 10 English “A Triumph of Surgery”
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by James Herriot
Introduction:
“A Triumph of Surgery” is a delightful short story by James Herriot, an English veterinary surgeon and writer. The story reflects Herriot’s love for animals and his humorous take on human relationships with pets. It explores the themes of overindulgence, the responsibilities of pet ownership, and the effectiveness of expert care in curing a serious issue.
Plot Summary:
1. The Problem:
The story begins with Mrs. Pumphrey, a wealthy woman, owning a pampered Pekingese dog named Tricki. She is overly indulgent with Tricki, feeding him excessive amounts of rich food and treating him more like a human than a pet. Tricki becomes lethargic and unhealthy due to overfeeding and lack of exercise, which alarms Mrs. Pumphrey.
2. The Intervention:
Mrs. Pumphrey calls James Herriot, the narrator, a veterinarian, to examine Tricki. Herriot quickly diagnoses Tricki’s condition as a result of overfeeding and lack of physical activity. He advises Mrs. Pumphrey to cut down Tricki’s food intake and ensure he gets regular exercise. However, Mrs. Pumphrey finds it difficult to follow these suggestions.
3. Tricki’s Hospitalization:
Realizing that Mrs. Pumphrey cannot take appropriate action, Herriot decides to take Tricki to his clinic for treatment. He assures Mrs. Pumphrey that Tricki needs professional care and hospitalization, though Tricki’s condition is not critical. Herriot’s real motive is to save Tricki from Mrs. Pumphrey’s indulgence and bring him back to health.
4. Treatment and Recovery:
At the clinic, Tricki is put on a strict diet. He is given simple food like water and bland biscuits, and he starts to interact with other dogs. Tricki begins to recover quickly, regaining his energy and enthusiasm. He plays with the other dogs and resumes normal canine behavior.
5. Mrs. Pumphrey’s Gratitude:
Mrs. Pumphrey constantly sends luxurious food items and blankets for Tricki during his stay at the clinic. Herriot and his staff humorously enjoy the lavish treats intended for the dog. Eventually, when Tricki is fully recovered, he is returned to Mrs. Pumphrey. She is overjoyed and thanks Herriot profusely, calling it “a triumph of surgery,” even though no actual surgical intervention occurred. The triumph lies in Herriot’s practical care and disciplined approach.
Key Themes:
- Overindulgence and Its Consequences:
Mrs. Pumphrey’s excessive pampering of Tricki highlights the problems of overindulgence. Her inability to resist giving Tricki rich food and treating him as a human leads to his deteriorating health. This serves as a cautionary tale for pet owners to balance love with discipline. - Responsibilities of Pet Ownership:
The story underscores the importance of responsible pet care. Owners must prioritize the health and well-being of their pets over their personal desires or emotional attachments. - Humor and Irony:
The story is filled with humorous situations, such as Mrs. Pumphrey’s exaggerated concern for Tricki and her lavish gifts. The irony lies in her belief that a complex medical procedure saved Tricki, whereas the real cure was simple dietary discipline and exercise. - Professional Expertise:
Herriot’s knowledge and practical approach as a veterinarian demonstrate the value of expertise. His decision to remove Tricki from Mrs. Pumphrey’s care was crucial in restoring the dog’s health.
Character Analysis:
1. Mrs. Pumphrey:
- A wealthy and loving pet owner.
- Overindulgent and unable to resist Tricki’s demands.
- Caring but lacks the discipline needed for proper pet care.
- Represents the tendency of some pet owners to humanize their pets excessively.
2. Tricki:
- A spoiled Pekingese dog.
- Initially unhealthy and lethargic due to overfeeding.
- Recovers quickly under Herriot’s care.
- His transformation symbolizes the positive effects of proper care and a healthy lifestyle.
3. James Herriot (The Narrator):
- A compassionate and skilled veterinarian.
- Practical and humorous in his approach.
- Represents rationality and the importance of expertise in solving problems.
4. Supporting Characters:
- The other dogs at Herriot’s clinic, who play a role in Tricki’s recovery.
- Herriot’s staff, who humorously enjoy the treats sent by Mrs. Pumphrey.
Writing Style:
James Herriot’s writing is simple, engaging, and filled with humor. His detailed descriptions bring the characters and settings to life. He uses irony effectively to highlight the absurdities of Mrs. Pumphrey’s behavior while maintaining a lighthearted tone.
Moral of the Story:
The story conveys that love and care must be accompanied by discipline and responsibility. Overindulgence, even with good intentions, can harm more than help. Practical solutions and professional advice are essential in addressing problems effectively.
Significance of the Title:
The title, “A Triumph of Surgery,” is ironic. It suggests a major medical achievement, but the real triumph is Herriot’s simple yet effective care. It underscores the idea that sometimes, basic solutions are the most effective.
Important Quotes:
- Mrs. Pumphrey’s Concern:
- “He was so listless, Mr. Herriot. He seemed to have no energy.”
This highlights Mrs. Pumphrey’s emotional connection to Tricki and her lack of understanding of the real problem.
- “He was so listless, Mr. Herriot. He seemed to have no energy.”
- Herriot’s Diagnosis:
- “Tricki was a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner.”
Herriot humorously describes Tricki’s poor condition, emphasizing the effects of overindulgence.
- “Tricki was a bloated sausage with a leg at each corner.”
- Mrs. Pumphrey’s Gratitude:
- “This is a triumph of surgery!”
Her statement reflects her lack of awareness of the simplicity of Tricki’s treatment and adds to the humor of the story.
- “This is a triumph of surgery!”
Lessons for Pet Owners:
- Balanced Diet and Exercise:
Pets need proper nutrition and regular physical activity to stay healthy. Overfeeding and lack of exercise can lead to serious health issues. - Listen to Experts:
Following a veterinarian’s advice is crucial for a pet’s well-being. Emotional attachment should not cloud judgment when it comes to health care. - Avoid Over-Humanizing Pets:
Treating pets as humans can lead to neglect of their natural needs. Owners should understand and respect the specific requirements of their pets.
Relevance in Today’s Context:
The story remains relevant as pet ownership becomes increasingly common. It serves as a reminder for modern pet owners to prioritize their pets’ health and not succumb to excessive pampering. The humorous portrayal of Mrs. Pumphrey also sheds light on the universal tendency to overindulge loved ones.
Conclusion:
“A Triumph of Surgery” is a heartwarming and humorous tale that blends entertainment with a valuable lesson. James Herriot’s witty storytelling and vivid character portrayal make it an engaging read. The story not only celebrates the bond between humans and animals but also emphasizes the importance of responsible care and expert intervention in ensuring a pet’s well-being.
1. Why is Mrs Pumphrey worried about Tricki?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey was worried because Tricki would not eat anything. It even refused its favorite dishes. It had bouts of vomiting. It spent all its time lying on the rug and panting. It did not want to go for walks or do anything.
2. What does she do to help him? Is she wise in this?
Ans: She called the doctor to help Tricki. Yes, her decision was wise. The doctor suggested that Tricki should be hospitalized. She swooned and wailed, but let the dog go with the doctor. Ultimately, the doctor was successful in curing Tricki.
3. Who does ‘I’ refer to in this story?
Ans: In this story, ‘I’ refers to the veterinary surgeon, Mr Herriot.
1. Is the narrator as rich as Tricki’s mistress?
Ans: Though not clearly stated, there are instances in the story that suggest that the narrator is not as rich as Tricki’s mistress, Mrs Pumphrey. While the narrator can provide Tricki with a warm loose box as a bed, at Mrs Pumphrey’s house, Tricki has a day bed, a night bed, cushions, toys, rubber rings, a breakfast bowl, a lunch bowl, a supper bowl, a whole wardrobe of tweed coats and perhaps many more things. When he arrives to take the dog with him, Mrs Pumphrey has her entire staff at her disposal to transfer all of Tricki’s belongings to the doctor’s car.
On hearing from the doctor about Tricki’s gradual recovery, Mrs Pumphrey sends along two dozen eggs at a time, along with bottles of wine and brandy—all to help in Tricki’s speedy recovery. Finally, when she calls upon the narrator to take her recovered dog back home, she comes in a chauffeur-driven “thirty feet of gleaming black metal” (an obvious reference to a limousine). All these instances point to the fact that Mrs Pumphrey lived a luxurious life.
2. How does he treat the dog?
Ans: The doctor gave Tricki no food, but plenty of water for two days. Slowly, the dog started showing interest in his surroundings and began mixing with the other dogs at the surgery. On the third day, the doctor saw Tricki licking the empty supper bowls of the other dogs. The next day, a separate bowl was kept for it and the doctor was pleased to note that Tricki had run to eat its food with enthusiasm. From that day onwards, its progress was rapid. It did not require medicinal treatment of any kind and recovered quite well in the end.
3. Why is he tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest?
Ans: Mrs Pumphrey had started bringing around eggs to build Tricki’s strength. Later, even bottles of wine and brandy began to arrive. The narrator and his partners started enjoying the eggs, wine and brandy meant for Tricki. According to the narrator, they were days of deep content for them—starting with the extra egg in the morning, then the midday wine, and finally finishing the day with brandy. This was the reason why the narrator was tempted to keep Tricki on as a permanent guest.
4. Why does Mrs Pumphrey think the dog’s recovery is “a triumph of surgery”?
Ans: Mrs. Pumphrey thought that the dog’s recovery was “a triumph of surgery” because, in two weeks, Tricki had recovered completely and had been transformed into a hard-muscled animal. When Tricki saw her, it leaped into her lap and licked her face. She was so excited that tears started rolling out of her eyes. She declared Tricki’s recovery as a triumph of surgery to express her happiness and gratitude towards the doctor.
1. What kind of a person do you think the narrator, a veterinary surgeon, is? Would you say he is tactful as well as full of common sense?
Ans: I think the narrator; a veterinary surgeon is a very tactful person. He knows how to deal with people. He adjusts himself well to the circumstances. He immediately understands Tricki’s problem. Tricki doesn’t suffer from any sort of illness. The main cause of its illness is overfeeding. He takes the dog to his surgery. There he keeps it in the natural environment. The dog gets well under his supervision and the natural environment of surgery.
2. Do you think Tricki was happy to go home? What do you think will happen now?
Ans: Yes, Tricki was very happy to go home. Tricki was also happy at the surgery. When the dog was brought into the surgery, it was ill. But despite it dog got cured in two days without any medication. The proper diet and regular exercise helped a lot in its speedy recovery. The dog regained its best health and was no longer listless.
Now, I think the same pampering will start again. Mrs. Pumphrey will take excessive
care of the dog. There is no doubt it was her alone, but excess of anything is harmful.
3. Do you think this is a real-life episode or mere fiction? Or is it a mixture of both?
Ans: This story could be a mixture of both: real-life episodes and mere fiction. Mrs. Pumphrey is a rich lady and has a pet dog. It is because of her pampering that she overfeeds her dog which results in its illness. Although she has good intentions in her mind excess of everything is bad. This episode can be treated as a fiction who do not take it seriously. It can be called real life for those parents who take excessive care of their children.
Talk about It
1. This episode describes the silly behavior of a rich woman who is foolishly indulgent, Perhaps because she is lonely. Do you think such people are merely silly, or can their actions cause harm to others?
Ans: This episode describes the silly behavior of a rich woman who is foolish. This may be because of her loneliness. They are ignorant about the results of their actions. They show their excessive love and affection for someone without knowing the consequences. There is no doubt that their intentions are good, and don’t have any sort of ill will, but they are not aware their action can cause harm to others.
2. Do you think there are also parents like Mrs. Pumphrey?
Ans: Yes some parents are too much possessive about their kids. The sense of overindulgence can go either way. There are examples of parents spoiling their child by meeting every demand of the child. There are also examples of strict parents who put unnecessary pressure on their children to study and particular behavior patterns.
