CBSE Class 12 English The Enemy Notes Set 03

About the Author

Pearl Comfort Sydenstricker Buck (1892-1973) was an American writer and novelist, best known for 'The Good Earth', which won her the Pulitzer Prize in 1932. In 1938, Buck became the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature "for her rich and truly epic descriptions of peasant life in China" and her two memoir-biographies of her missionary parents. Pearl has published over seventy books: novels, collections of stories, biography and autobiography, poetry, drama, children's literature, and translations from the Chinese.

The Enemy

Chapter Sketch

‘The Enemy’ is a short story based against the Second World War, specifically focusing on the war between Japan and America. Tension ran high in both nations with Japanese being extremely hostile to the Americans. The story centres around a Japanese doctor named Sadao and his wife Hana’s moral dilemma when they find an injured American soldier near their home. Despite societal pressures, Sadao saves the soldier’s life, sparking tensions in their household. Throughout the story, Sadao faces a dilemma where he has to choose between his allegiance to his country and his duty to save lives. When faced with the choice to hand over the soldier or dispose of him secretly, Sadao arranges for his escape.

Through the character of Sadao, the story explores themes of morality, duty, compassion, and the complexity of human relationships in times of conflict. It highlights the struggle between individual conscience and societal expectations and the blurred lines between loyalty to one’s country and the universal value of human life.

About the Characters

• Dr. Sadao: He is an accomplished surgeon who resolves the conflict between his patriotic duty and his duty to save the life of people.
• Hana: Sadao’s wife who helps her husband in operating on the American despite her physical discomfort.
• Tom (the American): He is an American soldier, who has faced the tortures of the war.
• The General: He is a selfish old man, only wanting Sadao, so that he could recover from his illness.
• Yumi and the other Servant: They represent the general voice of the Japanese people who live a very traditional life. They are loyal to Sadao but also remember their boundaries and refuse to help the white man.

Summary of the Chapter

Dr. Sadao Hoki and His Family

Dr. Sadao Hoki was a famous Japanese surgeon and an accomplished scientist. He lived in a house on the Japanese coast. His father was a traditional man whose main concern was Sadao’s education. He sent Sadao to America to complete his studies. He also inculcated in him values of patriotism and national loyalty.

When the Second World War started, Sadao was not sent with the troops because he was about to make a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean. Further, Sadao was required to ensure a successful treatment of the General.

Sadao met Hana in America at Professor Harley’s house. He made sure that she was Japanese before marrying her. After Sadao and Hana had finished their studies, they returned to Japan and married according to the Japanese tradition.

The Prisoner of War

One night, Sadao and Hana were enjoying the view of the sea from their verandah when they saw a man coming out of the mists. When they reached the man, Sadao and Hana found that it was a white prisoner of war and he was wounded.

Sadao saw that a bullet wound had reopened and packed it with sea moss. After that, he wanted to throw the man back into the sea and Hana agreed. They knew that giving shelter to the enemy would get them into trouble. Sadao was torn between his moral duty as a doctor which urged him to save the dying man and his national duty which required handing him over to the army as a patriot. However, both Hana and Sadao finally decided to take the man home. They also decided to tell the servant that they would hand over the man to the authorities.

Taking Care of the White Man

Sadao and Hana carried the white man to Sadao’s father’s bedroom. The man was very dirty and needed to be washed. Hana suggested that Yumi, the governess, might wash him. However, Yuri refused and Hana had to wash him herself. Hana also realised that the other two servants were frightened at what Sadao had told them.

Soon, Sadao was ready to operate and told Hana that she would need to give anaesthetic to the man. Hana had never seen an operation and started vomiting, which made Sadao irritable as he couldn’t help his wife. However, she was able to assist her husband in the operation. After some time, Sadao had finally succeeded in taking the bullet out. He was sure that the man would live in spite of his sufferings.

The Servant’s Reaction

After the surgery, Hana had to take care of the man. The servant refused to go into the room where the white man was kept. They resented their decision to help the American soldier and talked about the consequences of harbouring an enemy. Soon after, they left their house. The white man was surprised to see Hana talk in English and revealed that his name was Tom.

Informing the General

On the day the servant had left, a messenger in official uniform came to Sadao’s house. Hana was scared as she thought that he was there to arrest Sadao. However, the messenger had come to inform Sadao that the General needed him. Looking at Hana in distress, Sadao decided to get rid of the man.

Sadao told the whole episode to the General for whom Sadao was indispensible. So, the General promised Sadao that nothing would happen to him. He then planned to get the American soldier assassinated. He told Sadao that his private assassins would also remove the dead body.

Sadao’s Escape Plan for Tom

After that meeting, Sadao spent three restless nights waiting for the assassins. But they didn’t come. Finally, Sadao planned to get rid of the enemy himself. He told the escape plan to Tom. He had arranged a boat, food, drinking water and clothing for the young man and also gave him his own flashlight. He told Tom that he should flash the light two times if he needed something. Tom must do this only when the sun has set. He further added that Tom could find many fish to eat but he should eat them raw, lest the fire be seen. He also told Tom to wait for a Korean ship to escape.

Sadao’s Dilemma

Sadao went to the General and informed him that the American had escaped. In reply, the General informed Sadao that he forgot about the prisoner. He further told Sadao not to leak out this information to anybody.

Back at home, Sadao remembered his days in America and the Americans he met there. He wondered why he could not kill Tom, his enemy.

Word-Meaning

• outlined — marked on the outer edge
• yonder — over there
• render — make
• wreathing — covering, surrounding
• haori — a loose open-front Japanese garment usually worn over the kimono
• kimono — a long, loose traditional Japanese robe with wide sleeves, tied with a sash
• breaker — a heavy sea wave that breaks into white foam on the shore
• spiked — covered with sharp points
• tended — looked after
• beachcombers — people who make a living by searching beaches for valuables and selling them
• stanch — check or stop the flowing of
• whole — not wounded or injured
• matted — covered with mats
• pallor — an unhealthy, pale appearance
• nursery — a room in a house for special use of young children
• resistance — refusal
• rugs — thick woollen carpets
• blond — light-coloured
• ebbing — gradually decreasing
• tokonoma — a recess or an alcove in a Japanese home for displaying a flower arrangement or pictures
• alcove — a recess in the wall of a room
• superficial — existing or occurring on the surface
• retching — vomiting
• flickers — fleeting
• anatomy — study of the body structure of humans
• cardinal — serious
• incisions — cuts
• guts — intestines
• hypodermic — a syringe for injection
• porcelain — a white translucent ceramic
• bitter — feeling or showing hurt or pain
• dragged on — was managed with difficulty or effort
• pinching — breaking off, removing
• wistaria vine — a climbing shrub of the pea family
• condemned — blamed
• assuage — lessen, make less intense
• brusquely — bluntly, roughly
• execution — the act of killing or carrying out death sentence against someone
• assassins — persons who murder an important person for political reason
• absolute state — a form of government which has absolute or unrestricted power
• gosh — an expression of surprise
• stubbly — with short rough growth
• shaggy — having long, thick, unkempt hair
• refrain — repeated idea or complaint
• eaves — the part of a roof that meets or overhangs the walls of a building
• pawnshop — cheap shop
• dereliction — neglect
• slatternly — dirty and untidy

Important Themes of the Chapter

Moral Dilemmas in Times of Conflict The story revolves around the complexities of morality, loyalty and humanity in times of war and conflict. It explores the internal conflict individuals face when their ethics clash with their societal obligations and national loyalties. The story delves into the moral dilemma of prioritising individual compassion and mercy over allegiance to one’s country and duty. It also examines themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the transformative power of human connection across cultural and ideological boundaries. The story highlights the universal struggle to reconcile personal conscience with societal expectations, especially when moral choices have profound consequences.

Duty vs. Self-Interest The story delves into the conflict between duty and self interest through two different men representing two distinct expressions of self-interest. Sadao knows it is his patriotic duty to turn the American over to the authorities, but his compassion as a physician sworn to heal trumps that duty. On the other hand, General Takima avoids the expectations of duty to his country in order to overlook Sadao’s dangerous decision because of his self-interest.