CLASS XII
SUBJECT: ENGLISH CORE
Text – VISTAS
THE ENEMY by PEARL. S. BUCK
NOTES
Page 24
Who was Dr. Sadao? Where was his house?
Dr. Sadao Hoki was an eminent Japanese surgeon and scientist who was
working on a discovery which would make wounds entirely clean. His house
was on the Japanese coast. The low, square stone house was set upon rocks
well above a narrow beach.
Page 47 Reading with Insight
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 ‘The Enemy’. [HOTS]
a) We come across 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. Dr. Sadao faced a similar dilemma when he
found a young American soldier at the threshold of his house. He was
caught between the spirit of patriotism and medical ethics. He didn’t
want to be a traitor and protect an enemy but at the same time as a
doctor he didn’t want the grievously injured man to die. It had been a
hard choice for him. Dr. Sadao finally chose to treat the man and saved
his life. He showcases the spirit of humanity and professional ethics.
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?
a) Hana, initially, was not very comfortable in saving the American.
Though she had helped Sadao bring this man to her house, she was not
very sympathetic. But when the domestic help openly defied her and
refused to wash the American, Hana washed the white man herself. In
fact, she had immense faith in humanity and gradually became
sympathetic to the American.
3. How would you explain the reluctance of the soldier to leave the shelter of
the doctor’s home even when he knew he could not stay there without risk
to the doctor and himself?
a) The American soldier was reluctant to leave the shelter of the
doctor’s house because he felt safe and secure there. He was afraid of
being caught again if he were to step out of the house.
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?
a) The General is so much self-absorbed that he cannot think of
anything else. He promises Dr. Sadao to send the assassins but forgets
as he is busy in issues relating to his own health. Moreover, he keeps
all this as a secret and saves Dr. Sadao only for himself because he
knows that no one, except for Dr. Sadao, can treat him.
5. While hatred against a member of the enemy race is justifiable, especially
during war time, what makes a human being rise above the narrow
prejudices?
a) It is the faith in humanity and devotion to one’s profession that makes
a human being rise above the narrow prejudices. Dr. Sadao, an
expert surgeon, cannot leave a patient untreated. It is his
professional ethics as well as his humanitarian nature which make
him to rise above narrow prejudices in the name of colour, caste and
creed.
6. Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible
one in the circumstances?
a) There’s no doubt that there could be no better solution than the one that
Dr. Sadao found. Initially he told the truth to the General and waited for
three nights for the assassins. Finally, he let the prisoner go away.
EXTRA QUESTIONS
1. Why was [Link] kept in Japan and not sent with the troops?
a) Dr. Sadao being a famous scientist and surgeon was perfecting on a
discovery which would render wounds entirely clean. There was another
reason too. The old general might need an operation and [Link]’s
services were needed any time.
2. Why did the servants leave Sadao’s house?
a) Japan was at war with America and the Americans were their enemies.
At such an instance [Link] was nursing an American soldier and
that too a prisoner of war. The servants did not like his generosity. He
was trying to save an American, giving him a new life. The servants
considered his work as an act of treachery. Hence their patriotic feeling
made them leave the house.
3. What did Sadao do to get rid of the man? OR How did Sadao help
Tom escape to freedom?
a) Sadao knew that the wounded soldier would be arrested any time. So he
decided to help him escape. He gave his private boat with food, extra
clothing, bottled water as well as two quilts. Tom would row to a nearby
island which was uninhabited. He also gave him a flashlight and asked
him to signal when the sun drops over the horizon, if he runs out of food.
He also warned him not to signal in the darkness. In this way he could
escape to freedom.
4. CHARACTER SKETCH OF SADAO:
a) –famous and established Japanese doctor - Only son of his father –
highly influenced by his father – went to America at the age of 22 to
study surgery and medicine- -returned as a scientist and doctor –
married Hana – on finding the American soldier washed ashore – in
a dilemma – whether to shelter him or hand him over to the police.–
finally decides to harbor and treat him. – had to face the displeasure
of the servants.- -ignored all their warnings – heard the calls of his
profession only. His heart overflowed with human kindness. For fear
that Tom would be arrested – he made elaborate arrangements for
his escape. He did all these sacrifices putting himself and his family
at a great risk.
b) Character Sketch of Hana
- A balanced woman
- Affectionate
- Responsible - she washes the prisoner and treats him respectfully
- Kind and sympathetic towards the soldier
- Obeyed Sadao and helped him in carrying out the operation
- Maintains her calm, though she is extremely tense and fearful
- Becomes an anesthetist when the need arises
- Is a true human being
Character Sketch The General
- Selfish- thought of his own treatment
- Did not think of anyone else except himself
- A ruthless general-has private assassins
- Promised to send his assassins to kill and remove the body of the
soldier -- Careless - forgot to send assassins.
- Had faith in Sadao's skills as a doctor
- Doesn't want the doctor to be arrested because he needs him
Reaction of servants
- The servants did not like the idea of helping an enemy
- Yumi refused to wash a white man
- The gardener felt that Sadao should have allowed the soldier to die
- He said the sea and the gun would take revenge if Sadao saved the
soldier
- The cook said that Sadao was proud of his skill and used it
irresponsibly
- They left the house when the American prisoner was treated and
nursed by Sadao and Hana
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