Class 12 : English (core) Compulsory – Lesson 17.The Enemy
EXPLANATION & SUMMARY
🌟 Introduction to the Story
The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck is set in Japan during World War II and explores the moral conflict between patriotism and humanitarian duty. It tells the story of Dr. Sadao, a Japanese surgeon, who faces a dilemma when an American prisoner of war washes ashore near his home.
📚 About the Author
Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) was an American writer and Nobel laureate. She spent much of her life in China, and her works often deal with cross-cultural themes, moral choices, and human compassion. In The Enemy, she examines the tension between loyalty to one’s nation and the universal duty to save a life.
🧭 The Conflict
Dr. Sadao and his wife Hana find an unconscious, badly wounded American soldier on the shore. Japan is at war with America, and helping an enemy is considered treason. Yet, as a doctor, Sadao feels morally bound to treat him.
🌍 Themes and Significance
Moral duty vs. nationalism.
The universality of humanity.
Ethics of medical profession during wartime.
🔬 Turning Points in the Story
Sadao operates on the soldier despite protests from servants.
He informs the General, who promises to have the soldier secretly killed — but forgets.
Eventually, Sadao helps the soldier escape by boat.
🌱 Lessons from the Story
True humanity transcends boundaries of nationality.
Professional ethics can demand personal sacrifice.
Compassion can exist even in the midst of war.
🌊 Personal Reflection
Through Sadao’s moral struggle, the story shows that courage is not only on the battlefield but also in following one’s conscience when it is most difficult.
💠 Summary
The Enemy narrates how Dr. Sadao, a Japanese surgeon, saves the life of an American prisoner of war despite his country’s hostility toward the enemy. Torn between loyalty to his nation and his duty as a doctor, Sadao chooses compassion over prejudice. The story highlights the universal value of humanity and the moral courage needed to uphold it.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
PASSAGE
“But his trained hands seemed, of their own will, to go to the wound.”
💠 Short Answer (30 words)
Who is “he” here and what does this show about him?
Answer: “He” is Dr. Sadao, whose medical training and instincts overpowered personal feelings, compelling him to examine and treat the wounded man despite him being an enemy soldier.
💠 Short Answer (30 words)
Why did Sadao help the soldier despite knowing the risks?
Answer: His commitment to medical ethics and the sanctity of life made him treat the soldier, even though aiding the enemy could lead to serious consequences from authorities.
💠 Multiple Choice
“His trained hands” primarily signifies:
A. Skill from years of medical practice
B. Fear of disobeying orders
C. Habit of treating only locals
D. Curiosity about the enemy’s wound
Answer: A. Skill from years of medical practice
💠 Fill in the blank
Dr. Sadao found the wounded man lying on the __.
Answer: shore
💠 Fill in the blank
The injured man was an __ soldier.
Answer: American
💠 Assertion & Reason
Assertion (A): Dr. Sadao operated on the American soldier.
Reason (R): He felt it was his duty as a doctor to save a human life regardless of nationality.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, R is false.
D. A is false, R is true.
Answer: A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS FOR EXAMS
🔴 Q1. Who is the author of The Enemy?
🔵 Answer: Pearl S. Buck, an American novelist and Nobel Prize winner known for works focusing on East Asian life.
🔴 Q2. Who was Dr. Sadao?
🔵 Answer: A Japanese surgeon and scientist, trained in America, serving as the personal physician to the Japanese Emperor.
🔴 Q3. Where did Sadao and Hana first meet?
🔵 Answer: In America, at Professor Harley’s house, while both were studying there.
🔴 Q4. What did Sadao find on the shore?
🔵 Answer: An unconscious, wounded American prisoner of war with a bullet injury in his back.
🔴 Q5. Why did Hana initially hesitate to help the soldier?
🔵 Answer: She feared the consequences of sheltering and treating an enemy during wartime.
🔴 Q6. Why did the servants leave Sadao’s house?
🔵 Answer: They believed helping an enemy soldier was treason and refused to be part of it.
🔴 Q7. Who did Sadao consult about the soldier’s fate?
🔵 Answer: The General, who was also his patient.
🔴 Q8. What plan did the General suggest?
🔵 Answer: He promised to send assassins to kill the soldier quietly and remove the body.
🔴 Q9. Why did the General’s plan fail?
🔵 Answer: He fell ill and forgot about sending the assassins.
🔴 Q10. How did Sadao help the soldier escape?
🔵 Answer: He provided a boat, food, clothes, and directions to a safe island for pickup by an American ship.
🔴 Q11. What was the soldier supposed to do if he needed help from the island?
🔵 Answer: Flash signals with a torch.
🔴 Q12. Did the soldier signal after escaping?
🔵 Answer: No, indicating he had safely left the area.
🔴 Q13. What central theme does the story convey?
🔵 Answer: Human compassion and professional ethics can transcend national and political boundaries.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
ONE PAGE REVISION SHEET
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
MIND MAPS
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————