CBSE Class 12 English HOTs The Enemy Set 03

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. How did the writer indicate that Dr. Sadao’s father was a very traditional and conventional man?
Answer: The writer has very clearly indicated that Dr. Sadao’s father was a very traditional and conventional man. Sadao didn’t marry Hana until he knew she was Japanese because his father wouldn’t have approved of her otherwise. The old man never let any foreign object even enter his room.

Question. Why was Dr. Sadao not sent to the battlefield?  Or Why was Dr. Sadao not sent abroad with the troops? 
Answer: Dr. Sadao had not been sent abroad with the troops into the battlefields because the General was being treated by him and he could trust no other Japanese surgeon. Secondly, Dr. Sadao was about to make an important discovery that would leave wounds entirely clean.

Question. What was the servants’ reaction to Sadao’s decision of treating the American soldier? 
Answer: The servants express shock and disbelief when Sadao decides to treat the wounded American soldier. Initially, they warn Sadao about the potential consequences of harbouring an enemy, fearing punishing actions from their own government. However, they ultimately comply with Sadao’s decision, albeit reluctantly, demonstrating their loyalty to their master despite their reservations.

Question. What efforts did Dr. Sadao and Hana make to save the American soldier? 
Answer: Dr. Sadao and his wife Hana brought the wounded man to their house and helped him greatly. Sadao operated on him and saved his life by removing the bullet in his body. Hana washed him and served him when none of their servants wanted to do so, as he was an enemy soldier. Dr. Sadao even helped him escape to safety.

Question. In what context does Hana remember the cruel nature of General Takima? How does this connect with the tortures of war?
Answer: Hana remembered General Takima who used to beat his wife cruelly. She inferred that if he was so cruel with his wife, he would be extremely cruel with the American prisoners. This shows that during the war, the Japanese were very callous with the prisoners of war, torturing them until death.

Question. ‘Don’t thank me too early’, Sadao said coldly. What inference is drawn about Sadao’s state of mind from the above line? 
Answer: Sadao’s cold response, “Don’t thank me too early,” suggests a guarded and cautious demeanour. His tone implies a reluctance to accept gratitude prematurely, hinting at underlying reservations or apprehensions. This suggests that Sadao may be wary of potential consequences or complications arising from his actions, indicating a sense of caution and uncertainty about the future despite his outward display of generosity.

Question. Why did Dr. Sadao treat the American soldier even though it was an unpatriotic act on his part?
Answer: It was Dr. Sadao’s moral and ethical duty as a doctor to treat the ill, wounded or injured irrespective of the person’s nationality. So, he treated the wounded American soldier, even though it would seem an unpatriotic act on his part.

Question. On the seventh day after the American soldier was found by Sadao, two things happened. Why did Hana feel scared of the second?
Answer: The second event that occurred was a messenger from the General visiting their house. Hana felt scared, thinking that the servants had informed the authorities about them sheltering an enemy soldier. However, her fear was unfounded, as the messenger had only come to inform that the General was ill again and Sadao was required at his bedside immediately.

Question. “I must get rid of this man for your sake”. Said Dr. Sadao. How will you describe Dr. Sadao as a husband with reference to the above line? 
Answer: The given lines demonstrate Dr. Sadao’s love and care for his wife. It shows his commitment to his wife’s safety by choosing to remove the injured American soldier concealed in their home, despite his medical oath. His decision reflects a dedication to safeguarding his wife from potential risks and prioritising their security above all other considerations.

Question. Sadao’s acceptance of the General’s plan to assassinate Tom was counterproductive to having put him on the path of recovery. Substantiate with your reason/s.
Answer: It is true to say that Sadao’s acceptance of the General’s plan to assassinate Tom was counterproductive to having put him on the path of recovery. Dr. Sadao had not let the authorities know about him and had taken him home so that he could give the injured man medical attention. He had even operated on him. In this regard, getting him assassinated would put Sadao’s efforts to save the man to waste. Thus, getting Tom assassinated would be same as letting the injured man die at the shore.

Question. Why was Dr. Sadao not arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy? Or Why did the General not order immediate arrest of Dr. Sadao who had sheltered a white man?
Answer: Dr. Sadao was not arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy because the old General was being treated by Dr. Sadao. If he was arrested, there would be no one to operate upon the General in case of an emergency. Further, Dr. Sadao had informed the General about the presence of the American in his house.

Question. Sadao and Hana have a moral compass which urges them to save the prisoner’s life. Do we all need this moral compass? Why? 
Answer: Yes, we all need a moral compass. By placing a moral compass in front of us we create a clear vision of the mental processes that point us in an ethical direction. This is all the more important in the modern world wherein we all have become selfish and self-centered. With moral compass, we will retain all those ethics and values that make us good.

Question. Pearl Buck depicts the servants in a way to convey a message about Japanese people and culture. Support your answer with textual evidence.
Answer: Pearl Buck depicts the servants in a way to convey a message about Japanese people and culture. Japanese people are highly patriotic and love their duties. The servants, though loyal to Dr. Sadao’s family, left their jobs because their master had helped a prisoner of war, who was the enemy of the nation. Further, the reference to the way the servants work and follow the traditional methods is also symbolic of the Japanese culture.

Question. The author has used ‘blood’ as a symbol in the story. Comment on its impact on the reader. 
Answer: Blood is a central symbol of the story, most obliquely encapsulated in the narrator’s assertion that “Blood is the best of fertilizers” as the cook allows the blood of a freshly killed bird to flow onto wisteria. The symbolism of ‘blood’ is expansive. Through the doctor’s operating on both the American and Japanese soldiers, blood is situated as the unifier of humanity as its source cannot be determined on its own. The quote above, however, also makes ‘blood’ symbolically representative of the poison of nationalistic pride that is passed along and ‘fertilizes’ things like racism and prejudice.

Question. Sadao and Hana look upon their time in America with disdain due to the prejudice that they were subjected to. How does racial prejudice taint a person’s soul forever?
Answer: It is true that Sadao and Hana look upon their time in America with disdain due to the prejudice that they were subjected to. Such behaviour leads to racial prejudices which taints a person’s mentality forever. They are filled with bitterness and cannot think of any way of helping the other.

Question. How do we know that Dr. Sadao was conscientious as well as loyal? 
Answer: We know that Dr. Sadao was a conscientious as well as loyal individual because in the face of an adverse dilemma of choosing between his profession and his nation, he found a middle path. He remained true to his profession and saved the life of the Prisoner of War from the enemy nation. At the same time, he made sure that a Japanese authority knew about it. He informed the General about the prisoner and agreed to the plan of assassination.

Question. In the story ‘The Enemy’, why do you think Sadao forbade the American from sharing any details about himself? Answer with a reason in 20-30 words. 
Answer: Sadao forbade the American from sharing any details about himself because he wanted to hand over the man to the Japanese police once he had recovered. So, he wished to see the man only as an enemy and did not wish to get emotionally attached to the man or know him as a person with qualities.

Question. In 20-30 words, mention one character trait of the General with one example from the story ‘The Enemy’. 
Answer: The General comes out to be a selfish character with an unusual sense of humour. We say this because when the General found out that Sadao had sheltered and cared for an American, his reason for not wanting to turn in Sadao was his concern for his own health. He protected Sadao out of self-interest and even made a joke about Sadao murdering him.

Question. What was the dilemma faced by Sadao on seeing the prisoner of war? 
Answer: Sadao’s dilemma on seeing the prisoner of war was a conflict between his duty as a doctor and his loyalty to Japan. He knew he should report the enemy soldier, but his medical ethics compelled him to save the wounded man’s life. His internal struggle reflected his humanity and moral responsibility.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. What was the General’s plan to get rid of the American prisoner? Was it executed? What traits of the General’s character are highlighted in the lesson ‘The Enemy’?
Answer: After getting to know about the presence of an enemy at Dr. Sadao’s home, the General planned that his private assassins would take care of the whole matter; they would kill the enemy and even take his body away. However, the General’s plan was not executed. His assassins never arrived and Sadao, tired of the wait, helped the prisoner escape. The General was so absorbed in his own illness that he had forgotten about the whole affair. He even wanted Sadao not to inform anybody about this, lest the General be charged with lack of patriotism or negligence of duty. This shows that the General was a highly selfish man, being only concerned about his own safety and pride. He also didn’t send Sadao to the battlefield where he could have saved the lives of thousands of soldiers, only because he himself needed Sadao’s services.

Question. What impression do you form about Dr. Sadao as a man and as a surgeon on your reading the chapter ‘The Enemy’?
Answer: Dr. Sadao is a superb surgeon and human being. Sadao is a Japanese surgeon. He is well-educated and skilled in his profession. Sadao takes great pride in his medical abilities and is committed to saving lives regardless of the circumstances. He was about to perfect a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean. The General trusted him so much with his life that he was not sent with the troops. He respected his father. It was his father’s wish that he became a surgeon and Sadao fulfilled it. He married Hana according to his father’s wishes. Dr. Sadao is a man of compassion. When Sadao encounters the American prisoner of war, he faces a profound ethical dilemma. Despite knowing the risks to his safety and reputation, Sadao saves the prisoner’s life, reflecting his deep-rooted dedication to his Hippocratic oath. Further, Sadao feels responsible for ensuring the well-being of the prisoner. He navigates the delicate balance between his professional obligations and allegiance to his country. Sadao transforms as he confronts the complexities of wartime ethics and the human cost of conflict. His experiences challenge his preconceptions and force him to re-evaluate his values and beliefs.

Question. Draw a character sketch of Hana on the basis of her role in the story.
Answer: Hana is Sadao’s wife and shares his upbringing and education. She has experienced life in America and brings a perspective influenced by her time there. Hana demonstrates adaptability, having adjusted to life in both Japan and America. Exposure to different cultures gives her a nuanced understanding of societal expectations and human behaviour. As the household mistress, Hana manages domestic affairs and supports Sadao in his professional endeavours. She is depicted as a caring mother and wife, prioritising the well-being of her family. Hana faces a conflict of loyalties between her allegiance to her husband and her sense of duty to her country. She grapples with the implications of sheltering an enemy soldier and the potential consequences for her family and reputation. Throughout the story, she experiences internal turmoil as she navigates the moral complexities of wartime Japan. Her inner conflict reflects the societal tensions and ethical dilemmas prevalent during the era. Despite her challenges, Hana is resilient and determined to preserve her family’s integrity and navigate the turbulent political climate.

Question. The influence of belief in traditions such as religion, family bonds, or patriotism can be used to develop narrative techniques like setting, motivation, sources of conflict, and pacing. Analyse how the writer has incorporated such influences to good effect in the story, ‘The Enemy’. Support your answer with valid textual evidence. 
Answer: It is true to say that the influence of belief in traditions such as religion, family bonds, or patriotism can be used to develop narrative techniques like setting, motivation, sources of conflict, and pacing. In the chapter, the writer had incorporated Japanese traditions and family bonds that influences Sadao’s father’s, Sadao’s and Hana’s actions and decisions. Sadao goes to America just to study medicine and returns. He marries Hana, a Japanese girl according to Japanese traditions. The story also shows how national loyalty and patriotism create tension and conflict. Sadao’s duty as a citizen and as a doctor may conflict with his compassion towards the wounded soldier, highlighting the complexities of wartime allegiances. These traditions affect the themes as well as the characters of the story. The wartime setting amplifies the moral dilemmas faced by the characters and adds urgency to their decisions. These conflicts drive the narrative forward and heighten the tension. This tension reflects the characters’ internal struggles and external conflicts which shape character motivations.

Question. After having escaped from Japan with the help of Dr. Sadao, Tom (the prisoner of war) writes an article highlighting how Sadao’s actions demonstrated the importance of humanity and living in harmony.  You may begin like this: Humanity is a value that binds us together ............
Answer: Humanity is a value that binds us together irrespective of our nationalities, caste, creed, religion, etc. I had never thought I would ever be able to believe in humanity after being captured by the Japanese soldiers in the war. I had been tortured to an extent wherein death would have been better for me but they kept me alive in inhumane conditions. I thought I would die when I jumped from the ship into the waters. However, when I woke up, I was scared and shocked to find myself in a Japanese home. I was at the renowned Japanese Dr. Sadao’s house. I also got to know that he had operated on me and saved my life. I was scared as I thought he would send me back to that hell. But he did no such thing. Infact, he helped my escape and well, here I am today alive and happy. Whenever I think about Dr. Sadao, I am filled with the wonders of humanity. It made me realise how vain borders and wars are. In the end, we all are human who need to live together in peace and harmony so that everyone enjoys the life that they live. With this, I end this blog leaving you all to think about harmony and humanity. Hoping for a better and harmonious future!

Question. After seeing off the enemy soldier, Dr. Sadao must have felt relieved. He was able to uphold the oath that he had taken as a doctor. Dr. Sadao made an entry into his daily diary explaining the dilemma faced by him and how he resolved it. Imagine yourself to be Dr. Sadao and express his thoughts.  You may begin like this: I was able to uphold the oath I had taken as a doctor....
Answer: Thursday, 10th October, 20XX 10:00 p.m. Dear Diary I was able to uphold the oath I had taken as a doctor while also maintaining the loyalty that I had for my nation. The recent days have been very depressing and stressful for me. I had to make a choice that could change everything. On one hand, I had an injured man in need of medical attention and on the other, was my loyalty towards the nation. The injured man was an American prisoner of war, the enemy of the nation. If I were someone else, I know I would have informed the authorities or let the enemy die. But I am a doctor and my oath prevented me from ignoring the man. As a doctor, I had to save all lives irrespective of differences. But in saving the life, I would have gone against my nation. The choice was difficult for both of them would indicate a moral loss to me. So, I took the middle ground. I operated on the man and saved his life. Simultaneously, I informed the General of the situation hoping that he would help me retain my honour and do away with the man. The General promised help but nothing happened for a few days. So, I finally let the man escape. The entire incident is irksome but I and my family are now safe, peaceful and tension free. Sadao

Question. Why did Sadao help the American prisoner to escape? What precautions did he want the man to take? Or Dr. Sadao planned and helped the enemy soldier to escape. Comment. Or How did Dr. Sadao plan the American prisoner’s escape? 
Answer: Sadao’s expertise in his profession and compassion as a human being were his most dominant personality traits. As a dutiful doctor, he could not have let the prisoner die of his injuries and so he saved his life. At the same time, he acted like a responsible citizen and informed the General of the presence of the enemy in his house. However,when the General’smen did not come to kill the American, Sadao decided to save his life. Dr. Sadao didn’t want to throw him into the jaws of death again. So, he asked the young soldier to take his private boat at night. He should row in the cover of darkness to a little deserted island nearby. The young American could live there until he saw a Korean fishing boat pass by. Food, bottled water and two quilts were put inside the boat. If the food ran out, he could signal two flashes. He was not to signal in darkness because he could be seen. Thus, the young American came down into the darkness of the garden and escaped.

Question. The servants of Sadao and Hana reflect a particular mindset of the general public in society towards the thinking of broad - minded human beings. Elaborate with the help of the story ‘The Enemy’.
Answer: The servants of Sadao and Hana reflect the mindset of the poor, uneducated and narrow-minded section of society. They are frightened on hearing about the wounded American soldier in Sadao’s house because they are worried about what will happen to them if the authorities discover that they had been helping an enemy soldier. They are not broad-minded like Sadao, who was more interested in saving a human being’s life than reporting about his presence to the authorities. The gardener was superstitious. So he felt that the soldier should die; if he was saved, the sea would take revenge on them. The maid, Yumi, refused to wash the wounds of the enemy soldier because she was angry with Sadao for putting the family in danger. The cook felt that Sadao was excessively proud of his surgical skills. That is why he operated on and saved the enemy soldier. Finally, the servants left Sadao’s house, as they were afraid of the repercussions of helping enemy soldier. They could not understand Sadao’s dilemma.

Question. To choose between professional loyalty and patriotism was a dilemma for Dr. Sadao. How did he succeed in betraying neither? Or Dr. Sadao faced a dilemma. Should he use his surgical skills to save the life of a wounded person or hand an escaped American prisoner of war over to the Japanese police? How did he resolve this clash of values?
Answer: Dr. Sadao was a modern, enlightened and educated Japanese surgeon who succeeded in maintaining a balance between his professional loyalty and patriotism in an admirable manner. As Japan was at war with America, the white American soldier was considered as his enemy. As a patriotic citizen of Japan, Dr Sadao was duty bound to hand over the American soldier to the Japanese police. However, Sadao was a doctor and his duty towards his profession was to save a human life. Dr. Sadao resolved the clash of values in a creative manner. He treated the American soldier by operating him to remove the bullet, thus fulfilling his duty towards his profession. Simultaneously, he informed the General about the presence of the American, thus fulfilling his patriotic duty towards his country.

Question. The arrival of the prisoner destroy the peace of Sadao’s home. Elaborate
Answer: The arrival of the prisoner does destroy the peace of Sadao’s home. At the onset Dr. Sadao and his wife are anxious and confused whether they should save the wounded soldier who they know is an American. The servants in Dr. Sadao’s house are against his decision of harbouring a soldier from the enemy’s camp. Yumi refuses to wash the American soldier as he was a white man. The cook and gardener criticise Dr. Sadao and threaten to leave the house. Finally, all the servants leave. Dr. Sadao’s home and Hana, Dr. Sadao’s wife, stands by him but is in constant terror. The messenger from the General frightens Hana. She fears her husband will be condemned as a traitor. Dr. Sadao himself is in a dilemma. Being a patriotic Japanese citizen he doubts the rightness of his act. It is only after the prisoner leaves that things start getting normal in Dr. Sadao’s house.

Extract Based Questions

He saw the flicker of terror on the young face that was still very pale. “Okay,” the boy murmured. Evidently he was determined to say more. “I feel I ought to thank you, Doctor, for having saved my life.” “Don’t thank me too early,” Sadao said coldly. He saw the flicker of terror again in the boy’s eyes- terror as unmistakable as an animal’s,

Question. Complete the sentence suitably. The young boy was thanking Dr. Sadao for ........
Answer: having saved his life.

Question. Why the boy terrified with the words of Dr. Sadao?
Answer: The boy was terrified because Dr. Sadao's cold words reminded him that his life was still in danger and he could be handed over to the authorities at any time.

Question. Which of the following would not bring ‘a flicker of terror’?
(a) Seeing a spider
(b) Breaking an expensive vase
(c) Scoring less marks than expected
(d) Getting an unexpected gift
Answer: (d) Getting an unexpected gift

Question. Why do you think Sadao was talking coldly with the boy?
Answer: Sadao was talking coldly to maintain a professional distance and to avoid emotional attachment with an enemy, which would have made his already complex moral situation even more difficult.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question. How can you say that Sadao respected his father very much?
Answer: Sadao's entire career path—becoming a surgeon and scientist—was in direct fulfillment of his father's chief concern for his education. He also respected his father's traditional Japanese values by waiting until he was sure Hana was Japanese before marrying her, knowing his father would not have approved otherwise.

Question. Why did Sadao decide to operate on the injured man?
Answer: Despite the man being an enemy soldier, Sadao was primarily a doctor. His medical training and inherent sense of duty to save a human life when it was within his power to do so compelled him to perform the surgery.

Question. Why did Sadao agree to get the white man assassinated?
Answer: Sadao agreed to the General's plan of assassination as a way to fulfill his patriotic duty and resolve the threat that harboring the enemy posed to his family and his professional reputation.

Question. How did Dr. Sadao perform his duty as a patriotic Japanese?
Answer: He acted as a loyal citizen by informing the General about the wounded American soldier he had sheltered, thereby bringing the matter to the attention of the state authorities.

Question. In what condition did Dr. Sadao find the American soldier at the seashore?
Answer: The soldier was in a wretched condition; he was unconscious, bleeding profusely from a bullet wound that had reopened, and battered by the sharp rocks of the coastline after being flung up by the sea.

Question. What role did the American professor play in bringing Hana and Sadao together?
Answer: Professor Harley and his wife hosted a party for foreign students in America. It was at this gathering that Sadao first met Hana, although he waited to know she was Japanese before falling in love.

Question. Why did Dr. Sadao treat the American soldier even though, it was an unpatriotic act on his part?
Answer: Sadao was a doctor first. His professional ethics required him to treat any wounded or dying person regardless of their nationality or the political circumstances, making his humanitarian duty supreme.

Question. Did Hana think the Japanese tortured their prisoners of war? Why?
Answer: Yes, she believed they were tortured because she saw red scars on the young soldier's neck and recalled the cruel reputation of men like General Takima who were known for their callousness toward others.

Long Answer Type Questions

Question. Dr. Sadao was more a dutiful doctor than a loyal citizen. Substantiate the statement by quoting suitable evidence from the story ‘The Enemy.’
Answer: Dr. Sadao's actions throughout the story demonstrate that his identity as a healer consistently takes precedence over his identity as a soldier of the state. When he finds the wounded American, his immediate reflex is to stop the bleeding. Despite knowing the risk of arrest for treason, he brings the man into his father’s bedroom and performs a life-saving surgery. His focus during the surgery is absolute; he ignores his wife's distress and the servants' protests because "this man who lay like dead under his knife" required his full attention. Even after informing the General, he does not actively seek the man's arrest or death when the assassins fail to arrive; instead, he takes the initiative to plan and fund the man's escape. While he maintains the outward loyalty of informing the General, his private actions are entirely dedicated to the preservation of life, proving his medical oath was his true guiding principle.

Question. Explain the reactions of the servants in Dr. Sadao’s house when he decided to give shelter to an enemy in the house.
Answer: The servants react with a combination of fear, patriotic outrage, and deep-seated superstition. They represent the voice of the traditional Japanese populace who viewed the Americans as the ultimate enemy. Yumi, the governess, flatly refuses to wash the soldier, showing her resistance to helping a "white man." The gardener believes that saving a man whom nature (the sea and the gun) intended to kill is an act of defiance that will bring bad luck to the house. The cook is critical of Sadao's pride in his skill, suggesting it has blinded him to the reality of the war. Ultimately, they view their master’s humanitarianism as a betrayal of the nation. Their collective decision to quit their jobs on the seventh day highlights the immense social and political pressure Sadao and Hana faced for choosing compassion over nationalistic hatred.

Question. What do you know about the white man from the story?
Answer: The white man is an American prisoner of war named Tom. He is described as being very young, with blonde hair and a face that shows the toll of torture and suffering at sea. He was shot in the back and had escaped from custody before being washed up on the beach near Sadao's home. He is physically weak and spends most of the story in a state of stupor or recovery. Despite his terror—seeing the Japanese as his torturers—he is profoundly grateful to Sadao and Hana for their kindness. He is literate and communicates in English, revealing a human side that contrasts with his "enemy" status. His presence serves as the moral catalyst that tests Sadao and Hana's humanity against their patriotic duties.