Detailed Analysis :The Enemy (Class 12)
Pearl S. Buck’s short story The Enemy is a powerful narrative that explores themes of humanity,
morality, and patriotism against the backdrop of war. Her writing style plays a crucial role in
conveying the emotional depth and ethical dilemmas faced by the protagonist, Dr. Sadao. Below is
a comprehensive analysis of Buck’s writing style in the story.
1. Narrative Style: Third-Person Omniscient
• The story is written in a third-person omniscient narrative, allowing the reader insight
into the thoughts, emotions, and motivations of multiple characters.
• This perspective helps the reader understand Dr. Sadao’s inner conflict between his
professional ethics as a doctor and his nationalistic loyalty during World War II.
2. Simple yet Evocative Language
• Buck uses clear and concise language, making the story easy to understand while still
evoking deep emotions.
• The descriptions are vivid, especially when portraying the settings (Dr. Sadao’s house by
the sea) and the physical condition of the wounded American prisoner.
Example:
"He was wounded – the flesh was blackened with powder."
• This direct yet powerful description immediately creates an image of suffering and the
severity of the soldier’s injury.
3. Symbolism and Imagery
• The Sea: A recurring symbol in the story, the sea represents both danger and freedom. It
mirrors Sadao’s internal turmoil, as he debates whether to let the prisoner die or help him
escape.
• The Wounded Soldier: Symbolizes the universal nature of suffering and the blurred lines
between enemies and fellow humans in times of war.
• The House on the Coast: Represents isolation, mirroring Sadao’s personal isolation due
to his moral dilemma.
Example:
"The house was built on a spot of the Japanese coast where a little strip of the beach was flung
up and held fast by rocks."
• The description of the house being “held fast by rocks” reflects Sadao’s own situation—
trapped between his duty as a doctor and his obligation as a patriot.
4. Contrast and Juxtaposition
• Buck frequently contrasts duty vs. compassion, loyalty vs. ethics, and enemy vs.
fellow human being.
• The juxtaposition of Sadao’s medical expertise with his nationalistic hesitation
adds depth to his character.
Example:
• Sadao initially hesitates to treat the soldier, yet his medical training compels him to act.
• Hana, his wife, feels fear and disgust, but ultimately supports her husband’s decision.
This technique effectively highlights the moral dilemmas faced by individuals during wartime.
5. Psychological Depth and Character Development
• Buck deeply explores Dr. Sadao’s internal conflict, making his transformation from a
hesitant surgeon to a compassionate human being highly realistic.
• The slow, detailed depiction of Sadao’s thoughts gives the story an introspective tone,
encouraging readers to question their own moral compass.
Example:
"But he was American. The enemy. A menace living or dead."
• This brief yet impactful sentence shows Sadao’s struggle—his logic tells him to reject the
soldier, but his emotions push him toward saving him.
6. Pacing and Suspense
• The story builds gradual suspense through Sadao’s actions and the uncertainty of
whether the soldier will be discovered.
• The arrival of the General’s assassins heightens tension, making the reader anxious
about the soldier’s fate.
• The final release of the soldier into the sea acts as a climax, resolving Sadao’s moral
struggle.
Example:
"Sadao wondered why he could not kill him."
• This moment keeps the reader engaged, as they anticipate Sadao’s final decision.
7. Cultural Duality and Context
• Blending Eastern and Western Values:
Buck subtly weaves in the tension between traditional Japanese cultural norms and the
emerging modern influences. This cultural duality is embodied in Dr. Sadao’s internal
conflict, as he struggles between his ingrained national loyalty and the universal ethics of
medicine.
• Critique of Cultural Rigidity:
Through his predicament, Buck critiques the rigidity of cultural dogmas. The doctor’s
dilemma becomes a powerful commentary on how deeply held beliefs can conflict with
universal human compassion, inviting readers to question the limits imposed by cultural
prejudices.
8. Use of Irony and Understatement
• Subtle Irony:
The irony in the narrative arises from the notion that an enemy—typically dehumanized in
wartime rhetoric—can evoke profound empathy and ethical duty.
• Understated Descriptions:
Instead of dramatic or overt language, Buck opts for understated descriptions that leave
much unsaid. This technique heightens the emotional impact, allowing readers to grasp the
horror of war and the complexity of moral choices without overwhelming them with
sentimentality.
9. Economy of Dialogue
• Sparse but Loaded Dialogue:
The dialogue in the story is minimal, yet every line is carefully chosen. This economy of
dialogue serves to heighten the tension, as each word carries significant weight in revealing
the characters’ internal conflicts and ethical dilemmas.
• Revealing Inner Conflict:
Even when characters speak little, their sparse interactions are rich with subtext, reflecting
the unspoken thoughts and the deep-seated turmoil of the protagonists.
10. Reflective and Contemplative Tone
• Inviting Introspection:
The narrative tone is markedly reflective, prompting readers to ponder deep ethical
questions about loyalty, duty, and the nature of enmity.
• Emphasis on Universal Humanity:
By focusing on the inner turmoil of an individual faced with a moral crossroads, Buck
underscores a universal truth: in the midst of conflict, the shared experience of suffering
and the capacity for compassion remain a common bond among all people.
11. Themes in The Enemy
A. Humanity vs. War
• The story raises the fundamental question of whether national loyalty should override
human compassion.
• Dr. Sadao’s decision to save the enemy soldier despite his country’s hostility reflects the
moral dilemma faced by individuals in times of war.
B. Ethics and Professional Duty
• As a doctor, Sadao is bound by the Hippocratic Oath to save lives, regardless of nationality.
• His internal struggle highlights the conflict between professional ethics and personal beliefs.
C. Racism and Prejudice
• The Japanese servants refuse to assist in treating the enemy, reflecting the ingrained
hostility and dehumanization of the “other” during war.
• The General, despite his high rank, also exhibits racial bias, indicating that prejudice exists
at all levels of society.
D. Isolation and Alienation
• Dr. Sadao and Hana’s home, set apart from society, symbolizes their physical and moral
isolation.
• His decision to free the prisoner distances him from both his country and his personal
beliefs.
12. Conflicts in The Enemy
Pearl S. Buck’s The Enemy portrays various conflicts—both internal and external—that add depth
to the story and highlight its central themes.
1. Internal Conflicts A. Dr. Sadao’s Moral Dilemma
• Sadao struggles between his duty as a doctor and his loyalty to Japan.
• He knows that saving the American prisoner could be seen as treason, but his medical
ethics compel him to act.
• This inner turmoil reflects the universal conflict between professional responsibility and
patriotism.
Example:
• “But he was American. The enemy. A menace living or dead.”
• This line shows Sadao’s initial hesitation before he ultimately decides to help the soldier.
B. Hana’s Emotional Struggle
• Hana supports her husband but feels fear and anxiety about the consequences of
harbouring an enemy.
• She experiences both compassion and repulsion when tending to the American.
• She is torn between being a dutiful wife and protecting her family.
Example:
• “She had not wanted to be left alone with the white man.”
• This shows her discomfort and emotional conflict despite her kindness.
2. External Conflicts
A. Sadao vs. Society (Man vs. Society)
• Sadao’s actions go against societal norms and wartime laws.
• His servants refuse to stay in a house sheltering an enemy, showing how society views
loyalty as more important than humanity.
Example:
• “My master ought not to heal the wound of this white man.”
• The servants express the widespread belief that an enemy should not be saved.
B. Sadao vs. The General (Man vs. Authority)
• The General, who has power over Sadao’s fate, chooses to ignore his actions for personal
gain.
• Sadao depends on the General’s promise but feels uneasy about the moral corruption in
authority.
Example:
• “I will send assassins. But it is not urgent.”
• The General’s selfish attitude highlights the corrupt and pragmatic nature of authority
during war.
C. Japan vs. America (War Conflict)
• The background of World War II serves as the overarching conflict in the story.
• The war forces people like Sadao into difficult moral decisions, blurring the lines between
friend and foe.
The story presents a powerful exploration of personal and societal conflicts,
questioning whether human compassion can exist in times of war. Sadao’s internal battle, the
tension between duty and morality, and the clash between individual ethics and national
loyalty make The Enemy a deeply thought-provoking narrative.
13. Character Analysis
Dr. Sadao
• A skilled and dedicated Japanese surgeon, torn between his duty as a doctor and his loyalty
to his country.
• Represents the conflict between professional ethics and nationalism.
• His character development from an obedient citizen to a compassionate humanist is central
to the story.
Hana
• Sadao’s devoted wife, who supports him despite her initial fear and hesitation.
• Represents the traditional role of women in Japanese society but also demonstrates
strength and moral courage.
• She is compassionate yet struggles with the fear of consequences.
The General
• A powerful but selfish and morally ambiguous character.
• Uses Sadao’s medical skills for personal gain but has no loyalty toward him.
• Represents the corrupt and pragmatic nature of wartime authority.
Conclusion:Pearl S. Buck’s writing style in The Enemy is simple yet powerful, allowing the reader
to deeply connect with Dr. Sadao’s internal conflict. Her use of symbolism, imagery, contrast, and
psychological depth creates a compelling narrative that challenges the reader’s perception of
morality in wartime. The blend of vivid descriptions, suspenseful pacing, and philosophical
questioning makes the story an unforgettable read. Through her reflective tone, understated
irony, and balanced dialogue, Buck masterfully highlights the timeless struggle between duty
and humanity, compelling the reader to explore the grey areas of ethics in war.
