What traumatic event does Zitkala-Sa describe at the school?

The forcible cutting of her long hair

Why was the cutting of her hair so humiliating to Zitkala-Sa?

Among her people, shingled hair was worn by cowards and mourners

Who was Dr Sadao, and why was he not sent abroad with the troops?

He was a famous Japanese surgeon and scientist, kept in Japan because he was perfecting a discovery to clean wounds and because the old General might need him for an operation.

Whom did Sadao and Hana find washed ashore, and in what state?

They found a wounded, unconscious American prisoner of war with a reopened gunshot wound in his back, bleeding and near death.

What dilemma did Sadao and Hana face on finding the man?

They were torn between handing the enemy over to the authorities as loyal patriots, which would mean his death, and saving him as compassionate human beings, which was dangerous.

Why did Sadao decide to operate on the enemy soldier?

Though he called the man his enemy, his training and conscience as a doctor would not let a man die if he could save him.

What made Hana sympathetic to the soldier despite the servants' defiance?

Her basic humanity and compassion, and her loyalty to her husband, moved her to help wash and nurse the helpless, suffering young man.

Why did the servants leave the house?

They felt their masters were betraying their country by sheltering an enemy, were superstitious about the white man, and feared the consequences, so they left in protest.

What plan did the General make about the prisoner, and what came of it?

He promised to send private assassins to kill the man quietly; but absorbed in his own illness, he forgot his promise, and the assassins never came.

How did Sadao finally get rid of the enemy soldier?

Unable to bear the strain, he helped Tom escape to a nearby island with food and supplies and arranged for him to flee by a passing Korean fishing boat.

What explains the General's behaviour over the enemy soldier?

It was chiefly self-absorption — his concern for his own health and need of Sadao's skill — rather than human consideration or deliberate mercy.

What is the central theme of the story?

It explores the conflict between professional duty and national loyalty, and shows how humanity and conscience can rise above the narrow prejudices of war.

The Enemy

Class 12 English · Vistas · Chapter 4

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CBSE Class 12 · English Core

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The story in short

Written by Pearl S. Buck and set during the Second World War, this story explores the conflict between a person's professional duty and national loyalty, and the triumph of humanity over prejudice. Dr Sadao Hoki, a skilled Japanese surgeon trained in America, lives with his wife Hana in a house on the Japanese coast. One foggy night they find a wounded man washed ashore — an escaped American prisoner of war with a gunshot wound. They are torn between handing him over to the army as patriots and saving him as compassionate human beings; despite their professed hatred of the enemy and the danger of being arrested for sheltering him, Sadao's instincts as a doctor prevail. With Hana's help and against the open defiance of their superstitious servants — who eventually leave — Sadao operates on the young man, named Tom, and nurses him back to health. Sadao reports the matter to the General, who, valuing Sadao's surgical skill for his own ailment, promises to have the prisoner quietly killed by private assassins. But the assassins never come, for the General, absorbed in his own illness, forgets his promise. Unable to bear the strain any longer, Sadao helps Tom escape to a nearby island and arranges for him to flee by a passing Korean fishing boat. In the end Sadao reflects on the white faces he has known and wonders why he could not bring himself to kill his enemy. The story shows how a doctor's humanity and conscience rise above the narrow prejudices of war.

Duty versus patriotismHumanity over prejudiceConscience and compassionWar and its dilemmasProfessional ethics

Characters & key ideas

Dr Sadao HokiThe Japanese surgeon torn between duty and patriotism.

HanaSadao's wife, who helps save the enemy soldier.

TomThe wounded American prisoner of war washed ashore.

The GeneralWho values Sadao's skill and forgets his promise to kill the man.

Conflict of dutiesThe clash between doctor's duty and national loyalty.

Humanity over prejudiceThe theme of conscience rising above wartime hatred.

Extra questions & answers (board-style)

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Who wrote "The Enemy"?

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