Revision Notes for Class 12 English
Chapter 4 – The Enemy
About the Author
The author of Class 12 English Chapter "The Enemy" is Pearl Comfort Sydenstricker Buck,
well known as Pearl S. Buck. She was an American writer and novelist. She was the first
American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Buck also spent part of her life helping
people. Some of her famous books include "Peasant Life in China" and "The Good Earth."
About the Story/ Synopsis of the Story:
The Chapter “The Enemy” is about Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese doctor during World War II.
He lives on the Japanese coast with his wife. The story takes place during the war between
Japan and the US. One day, Dr. Sadao finds an injured American soldier near the coast. The
man is an American soldier, so he is "the enemy." This puts Dr. Sadao in a tough situation, as
helping the enemy could get him into serious trouble with the authorities. The story explores
Dr. Sadao's struggle between his duty as a doctor to save lives and his loyalty to his country
during wartime.
Theme of the story “The Enemy”
The theme of the story "The Enemy" in Class 12 English is about humanity and compassion
versus loyalty to one's country. The chapter shows different ways people handle tough
situations and their humanity. It explores whether a person should follow their moral values
or do what is expected. Should someone listen to their brain or their heart at that moment? The
story highlights the moral conflict of choosing between doing what is right as a human being
and following one's patriotic duties.
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Character Sketches:
Dr. Sadao Hoki: He is a caring and thoughtful man who prioritises humanity and his
professional duties over national interests. Dr. Sadao feels a strong emotional bond with the
American man because he had studied in America for several years. He deeply respects his
profession and values every person's life. Dr. Sadao is highly knowledgeable and skilled in his
field, excelling in everything he does.
Hana: She is a loving and supportive wife to Dr. Sadao, standing by him during his difficult
times and respecting his choices. Even though the man is an enemy, she shows great
compassion, caring for him and helping him for his speedy recovery. She is skilled in her
profession and a genuinely kind and empathetic person, known for her warmth and
compassion.
Yumi: Yumi was kind and respectful towards Dr. Sadao and his wife, treating them well and
caring for their children as her own. However, she is not empathetic. Yumi couldn't digest the
fact that Dr. Sadao and his wife were helping a white man (American soldier), so she left along
with the other servants. Despite being loyal and dedicated, she couldn't act as a great human
in that situation. Her actions and words showed her strong patriotism, prioritising the national
interests of her country over her personal morals.
Tom: Tom, an American soldier wounded in the war, was beaten by the Japanese army but
escaped from them to save himself. He was grateful and didn't harm Dr. Sadao and his family.
Tom expressed his thanks for their care and treatment, inspiring kindness and promoting
humanity.
General Takima: General Takima was a strict and scary leader who would do anything to
protect his country. But he also had a soft spot for Dr. Sadao. He was a bit selfish because he
didn't want to lose Dr. Sadao, the only person he trusted completely. The General knew that if
Dr. Sadao was caught by the soldiers for helping an enemy, he would have to leave the country,
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which would be dangerous for him. Because of his selfish reasons, the General was willing to
let the enemy go back to his own country.
Chapter 4 The Enemy Summary
• Dr. Sadao’s house was near the Japanese coast, where he grew up playing along the
shore with his father.
• At the age of 22, he went to America to study surgery and medicine and returned back
to Japan when he was 30. After becoming a successful surgeon and scientist, his father
passed away.
• Dr. Sadao stayed in Japan to work on a new way to heal wounds. The old general in the
Japanese army might also need his help at any point of time.
• The story introduces Dr. Sadao’s wife, Hana, whom he met in America and fell in love
with because she was Japanese.
• While Dr. Sadao and his wife were spending time together near the seashore. They saw
a man come out of the fog and found him fallen on the ground.
• Dr. Sadao realised the man had been shot by a bullet and his wounds were not treated.
They saw he was a white man, likely from the US Navy, who had escaped from
Japanese capture and was tortured.
• Dr. Sadao tried to stop the bleeding, and they decided to take the man back to their
house to help him.
• They carried the man to an empty bedroom. Hana wanted to ask the servants to clean
him, but they refused because he was an enemy. So Hana herself cleaned the man, and
Dr. Sadao operated on him, saving his life. The servants were upset and left, thinking
Dr. Sadao and Hana were less loyal to Japan.
• As the man recovered, Dr. Sadao decided to tell the general about him. The general
planned to send men to kill the enemy.
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• Dr. Sadao told him to set the man free because he had been good to them, and it didn’t
feel right to kill someone he had treated.
• Dr. Sadao arranged a boat with all the required things and helped the man to escape
silently at night. The man reached a Korean boat and was set free for the rest of his life.
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