A triumph of surgery x ch 01

Detailed summary , vocabulary , Characters and recapitulation of story

1. A T riumph of Su r gery Mr. James Herriot Prepared by Sharwan Kumar

2. Author’s Introduction James Alfred Wight (3 October 1916 – 23 February 1995) known by the pen name James Herriot, was a British veterinary surgeon and writer. He worked as a veterinarian in the Yorkshire Dales for almost fifty years. He used this experience to write short stories, novels and other formats of books set in England about animals and their owners. There have been multiple television and film adaptations of Herriot's books, including the 1975 film All Creatures Great and Small and the BBC television series of the same name, which ran for a total of 90 episodes.

3. Introduction to the Chapter The chapter is based on the cases Mr. James Herriot had witnessed during his career as a veterinary doctor. He, himself, is the narrator of the story. However, the story is not directly linked to any real life case he had dealt with. Mrs. Pumphrey is a rich but lonely woman. Tricky is her much pampered pet dog. She has a habit of overfeeding the dog with all sorts of lavish food items ranging from eggs to cakes, chocolates, wine and brandy. As a result, he falls terribly ill. Mrs. Pumphrey asks the narrator, who is a vet , to treat Tricky. What way does the narrator adopt to treat Tricky? Does Tricky recover? What is Mrs. Pumphrey’s reaction?

4. Detailed Summary Mr. Herriot’s chance meeting with Mrs. Pumphrey and Tricky on the streets. Mrs. Pumphrey and Tricky are taking a walk Mr. Herriot, who was passing by, stops his car Asks Mrs. Pumphrey the reason for Tricky’s sickly appearance( hugely fat like a bloated sausage, eyes bloodshot and rheumy, tongue lolled from the jaws ) She has been feeding him extra food other than regular meals(malt, cod- liver oil, horlicks, cream cakes, chocolates, etc.) to build up his strength No exercise for Tricky other than small walks in the evening sometimes Mr. Herriot severely warns her and asks her to stop overfeeding Tricky Tricky’s appearance

5. Detailed Summary Mrs. Pumphrey calls Mr. Herriot Tricky doesn’t eat refuses his favorite food -doesn’t move -bouts of vomiting; pants Mr. Herriot takes away Tricky he had made plans in advance suggested Tricky be hospitalized for a fortnight took him away amidst tears and wailings staff tried to bring Tricky’s items; doctor didn’t take anything

6. Detailed Summary Tricky comes to the Surgery dull, inactive no medicines; not given any food for three days; plenty of water household dogs at surgery inspect and observe him third day, Tricky starts playing with other dogs fourth day, food is given to Tricky which he eats hungrily rapid recovery fourth day onwards healthy food at regular intervals and plenty of exercise(running, playing with the other dogs) helps him recover Mrs. Pumphrey calls to know about Tricky asks about his health eating habit, cushions, coats; Mr. Herriot informs her about the rapid recovery of Tricky

7. Detailed Summary 6. Mrs. Pumphrey sends food and drinks -sends eggs, wine and brandy for Tricky - Mr. Herriot and staff consume it Tricky goes home Mr. Herriot asks Mrs. Pumphrey to take him away Tricky jumps to his mistress’s lap Mrs. Pumphrey is shocked to see the transformation calls it ‘a triumph of surgery ’!!!

8. V o c abula r y Sausage- prepared minced meat packed in casings Bloated- overfilled; having grown excessively large Bloodshot (eyes) – redness of the eyes Rheumy – a watery discharge from the eyes or nose Listless – dull, inactive Malt – grain(such as barley) softened by steeping in water, allowed to germinate, and used especially in brewing and distilling Cod- liver oil – Oil made from the liver of cod fish; rich source of Vitamins A and D Relent – to stop resisting; give in; stop being firm on a dcision Lumbago – lower back pain 1. .

9. V o c abula r y Tweed – a rough woolen fabric used for making coats Tottering – walking unsteadily Harness(here) – the belt and chain of the dog drooping- to hang or incline downwards Distraught – excessively sad; mental conflict or pain Bout(here) – attack; something happening again and again Pant – to take long breaths from mouth when exhausted Swoon – faint pine – to wait for something or want something badly, especially when it’s unattainable roused- awakened Surge – rise and fall of soemthing Engulfed – surrounded completely

10. V o c abula r y 11. Greyhound – a breed of dog Thoroughly – detailed Surplus – extra; more than necessary Scrimmages – rough fights Bowled over – push surprisingly tramped- to step on someone or something heavily Squashed – squeeze or press Shaggy- furry Dodged – avoided Convalescing – recovering reverently- with respect; worshipful Sustain – keep up; prolong; continue Hurtling – to move rapidly Transform – change completely Lithe – flexible Bounds – series of jumps Tremendous – huge Startled - surprised

11. Cha r ac t e r s Tricky excessively pampered dog dachshund breed gluttonous sickly due to his habit of overeating Mrs. Pumphrey rich lonely mistress of Tricky tender- hearted habit of over-pampering and overfeeding her dog foolishly indulgent ignorant

12. Cha r ac t e r s Mr. Herriot a veterinary doctor competent and tactful man of common sense and practical approach kind and gentle

13. Theme of the Story 1. Balanced diet and exercise is the cure for every health ailment: We all know that unhealthy lifestyle, excessive and unhealthy eating without having any exercise at all is the reason for all health related issues. Doctors all over the world suggest having a balanced diet along with plenty of exercise for maintaining a healthy body and mind. This sits true not only with human beings but with all the living beings. Tricky mistress makes him lead an unhealthy lifestyle, overfeeding him with rich food and drinks not meant for dogs. This makes Tricky fall extremely ill. The moment he starts taking a balanced diet and plenty of exercise in the surgery, he starts feeling better and recovers quickly.

14. Theme of the Story 2. Common sense is not so common: Common sense is uncommon. Common Sense of the doctor saves the dog. Mr. Herriot knows that Tricky doesn’t need medicines, injections or a surgery. All he needs is a balanced diet and plenty of exercise. This is exactly what cures Tricky. On the other hand, Tricky’s mistress, Mrs. Pumphrey is foolishly indulgent and a woman without common sense. Her lack of common sense had made Tricky suffer badly and by the look of things , we assume she’s going to do the same once she reaches home with the fully recovered Tricky.

15. Irony in the title The title of the story ‘A Triumph of Surgery ’ is indeed ironical. The title has been taken from the remark Mrs. Pumphrey makes at the end of the chapter after seeing her dog fully cured. Mrs. Pumphrey was startled to see the transformation in her dog. At the same time, she had no idea how the doctor had managed to cure her dog. The doctor also offered no explanation regarding the method of treatment he had adopted. Hence, she thought that the doctor must have performed a surgery on the dog. She believed it to be ‘a triumph of surgery’ whereas it was a triumph of the doctor’s common sense, presence of mind, goodwill and kind nature. The title is ironical because although it indicates towards surgery, there is actually no surgery involved in the entire story. The story is all about physical wellness and balance in lifestyle but the title talks otherwise.

16. Is the story a Satire? Satire is the use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, corporations, government, or society itself into improvement. The writer has subtly ridiculed the ways of rich people whose wealth overpower their capacity to think rationally and make them do stupid things . Mrs. Pumphrey loves to pamper her dog and indulges in a lavish display of wealth. As a result she ends up harming her own dog. This story is certainly satirical as it exposes the ridiculous ways of rich people and their foolishly indulgent ways due to which they sometimes end up harming others.

17. Recapitulation Time MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS 1.What was the name of Mrs Pumphrey’s dog? (A) Ben (B) Tommy (C) Tricki (D) Jonny 2. Who was Mrs Pumphrey worried about?   (A) herself                                                         (B) her maid-servant (C) her dog Tricki                                              (D) her son 3. Tricki falls ill because  (A) he met an accident                                 (B) of bad weather (C) he did not get proper food to eat      (D) his mistress overfed him 4. How did ‘hick; look? (A) very thin                                                       (B) like a bloated sausage (C) very smart                                                   (D) always ready to run

18. Recapitulation Time 5. When Tricki was seriously ill, who did Mrs Pumphrey make a frantic call? (A) to her son (B) to her husband (C) to a vet doctor Mr Herriot (D) to her maid-servant 6. Where did Mr Herriot take Tricki ?  (A) to his clinic                                                  (B) to Mrs Pumphrey’s house (C) to a public hospital for vets                   (D) nowhere 7. When Mr Herriot took Tricki to his clinic, Mrs Pumphrey was : (A) happy                                                            (B) excited (C) wailing                                                           (D) thanking the doctor 8. What did the doctor give Tricki at his clinic? (A)  many injections                                        (B) medicines (C) no food for two days                               (D) only milk and chocolate

19. Recapitulation Time 9. The dogs at the clinic took no interest in Tricki because he was : (A) dull and boring (B) not of their race (C) of small size (D) more powerful than them 10. “I think I know a cure for you.” Who is ‘I’?  (A) Mrs Pumphrey                                         (B) Mrs Pumphrey’s husband  (C) Mr Herriot                                                   (D) Mrs Pumphrey’s servant