The Enemy | Lesson 4 | English 12th | Vistas | Summary | Questions | Answers

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The Enemy | Lesson 4 | English 12th | Vistas | Summary | Questions | Answers

 

JANDKNCERT – Free NCERT Solutions | for | Class 12th | English | Vistas

The Enemy | Lesson 4 | English 12th | Vistas | Summary | Questions | Answers

 

Short Summary

The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck is a story set in Japan during World War II. It follows Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon, who finds an injured American prisoner of war washed ashore near his home. Despite his patriotism and fear of repercussions, Sadao's duty as a doctor compels him to save the man's life. The story explores themes of humanity, moral conflict, and the power of compassion, as Sadao balances his professional ethics against societal expectations and personal risk.

 

Read and Find Out

Q. Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house? (Page No. 24)

Answer: Dr. Sadao was a skilled Japanese surgeon and scientist who had studied in America. His house was located on the Japanese coast, overlooking the sea, surrounded by pine trees and a serene beach.

Q. Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy? (Page No. 27)

Answer: Dr. Sadao is not arrested for sheltering the enemy soldier. Although he informs the General about the situation, the General’s self-absorption and negligence ensure that no action is taken against him.

Q. Will Hana help the wounded man and wash him herself? (Page No. 31)

Answer: Yes, Hana helps the wounded soldier despite her hesitation and fear. She washes the man herself when the domestic staff refuses to assist, demonstrating her compassion and moral courage.

Q. What will Dr Sadao and his wife do with the man? (Page No. 35)

Answer: Dr. Sadao and Hana nurse the wounded soldier back to health in secret, despite the risks involved. Once he recovers, they assist him in escaping to safety by providing a boat, supplies, and instructions to navigate toward a nearby island.

Q. What will Dr Sadao do to get rid of the man? (Page No. 43)

Answer: Dr. Sadao arranges for the soldier’s escape. He gives him a boat, food, water, and precise directions to reach a safe location. By doing so, he ensures both the soldier’s safety and his own family’s security, resolving the situation discreetly.

 

Reading with Insight

Question 1. There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices between our roles as private individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty. Discuss with reference to the story you have just read.

Answer: In life, moments arise when individuals must choose between personal ethics and national loyalty. In The Enemy, Dr. Sadao grapples with this dilemma as a loyal Japanese citizen and as a doctor bound by the Hippocratic Oath. His decision to save the enemy soldier’s life reflects his humanity and professional duty, despite the potential risk to himself and his family. This highlights how moral values can transcend national boundaries in moments of crisis.

Question 2. Dr Sadao was compelled by his duty as a doctor to help the enemy soldier. What made Hana, his wife, sympathetic to him in the face of open defiance from the domestic staff?

Answer: Hana’s sympathy towards the enemy soldier stems from her compassion and trust in her husband’s judgment. Despite the defiance of their domestic staff, she supports Sadao’s decision to save the soldier’s life, recognizing the sanctity of human life over societal prejudice. Her actions reflect inner strength and moral courage in the face of adversity.

Question 3. How would you explain the reluctance of the soldier to leave the shelter of the doctor’s home even when he knew he couldn’t stay there without risk to the doctor and himself?

Answer: The soldier’s reluctance to leave Dr. Sadao’s home reflects his fear and vulnerability. He understands the risks but likely sees the doctor’s home as a rare haven of safety and kindness amidst the hostility of war. His hesitation highlights the soldier’s dependence on the doctor’s compassion and his uncertainty about survival outside the shelter.

Question 4. What explains the attitude of the General in the matter of the enemy soldier? Was it human consideration, lack of national loyalty, dereliction of duty or simply self-absorption?

Answer: The General’s attitude towards the enemy soldier is marked by self-absorption and pragmatism. Though aware of the situation, he delays action because he prioritizes his health over his duty as a national leader. His behaviour underscores a lack of true loyalty to either his country or moral principles, driven instead by his own interests.

Question 5. While hatred against a member of the enemy race is justifiable, especially during wartime, what makes a human being rise above narrow prejudices?

Answer: A human being rises above narrow prejudices through empathy, education, and exposure to shared human experiences. In The Enemy, Dr. Sadao’s medical training and sense of duty enable him to see the enemy soldier as a fellow human being in need, rather than as an adversary. Such moments demonstrate how compassion can triumph over hatred, even during wartime.

Question 6. Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the circumstances?

Answer: Dr. Sadao’s decision to secretly help the soldier escape was the best possible solution under the circumstances. It ensured the soldier’s safety while protecting his own family from potential repercussions. This resolution reflects his pragmatism and moral courage, balancing his duty as a doctor with the realities of war.

Question 7. Does the story remind you of ‘Birth’ by A. J. Cronin that you read in Snapshots last year? What are the similarities?

Answer: Yes, The Enemy shares similarities with Birth by A.J. Cronin. Both stories centre on a doctor’s commitment to their profession and their efforts to save lives despite challenging circumstances. In Birth, Dr. Andrew Mason works tirelessly to save a newborn and his mother, while in The Enemy, Dr. Sadao saves an enemy soldier, risking his safety. Both narratives highlight the nobility of medical duty and the triumph of compassion over obstacles.

Question 8. Is there any film you have seen or novel you have read with a similar theme?

Answer: A similar theme is explored in the film Hacksaw Ridge, based on the true story of Desmond Doss, a conscientious objector who saves lives during World War II without carrying a weapon. Like Dr. Sadao, Doss demonstrates how personal ethics and compassion can transcend the hatred and violence of war, emphasizing the power of humanity in extreme circumstances.

 



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