Central Conflict: Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese doctor, finds an injured American soldier on his doorstep. Torn between his professional duty to save lives and his loyalty to his country at war, Dr. Sadao faces a moral dilemma. Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer
The Enemy” by Pearl S. Buck for CBSE Class 12th English Core (Vistas):
Setting: World War II, Japan
Contents
- 1 Class 12th The Enemy Notes
- 2 Characters
- 3 Plot Summary
- 3.1 Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer
- 3.2 Q:- Dr Sadao was compelled by his duty as a doctor to help the enemy soldier. What made Hana, his wife, sympathetic to him in the face of open defiance from the domestic staff?
- 3.3 Q:- How would you explain the reluctance of the soldier to leave the shelter of the doctor’s home even when he knew he couldn’t stay there without risk to the doctor and himself?
- 3.4 Q:- What explains the attitude of the General in the matter of the enemy soldier? Was it human consideration, lack of national loyalty, dereliction of duty or simply self-absorption?
- 3.5 Q:- While hatred against a member of the enemy race is justifiable, especially during wartime, what makes a human being rise above narrow prejudices?
- 3.6 Q:- There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices between our roles as private individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty. Discuss with reference to the story you have just read.
- 3.7 Q:- Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the circumstances?
- 3.8 Q:- Does the story remind you of ‘Birth’ by A. J. Cronin that you read in Snapshots last year? What are the similarities?
- 3.9 Q:- Is there any film you have seen or novel you have read with a similar theme?
- 3.10 Q:- What did the doctor do on seeing American prisoner in a dreadful state?
- 3.11 Q:- How did Yumi react when Hana asked her to obey the command of her master?
- 3.12 Q:- Why was the General not in favour of Sadao’s arrest?
- 3.13 Q:- What measures did Dr. Sadao take for the safety of the American?
- 3.14 Q:- What did Dr. Sadao’s old American professor of Anatomy tell him?
- 4 Short Question Answers
- 5 Q:- Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?
- 6 Q:- Will Hana help the wounded man and wash him herself?
- 7 Q:- What will Dr Sadao and his wife do with the man?
- 8 Q:- Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy?
- 9 Q:- What will Dr Sadao do to get rid of the man?
Class 12th The Enemy Notes
Characters
- Dr. Sadao Hoki: A kind and compassionate doctor, forced to choose between upholding his medical oath and obeying his nation’s wartime demands.
- Hana: Dr. Sadao’s wife, supportive but concerned about the potential consequences of aiding an enemy.
- The American Soldier: An injured, unnamed soldier who represents the human cost of war.
- General Tomura: Dr. Sadao’s superior officer, embodies the ruthless and nationalistic mindset of wartime Japan.
Plot Summary
- Dr. Sadao discovers the American soldier, unconscious and near death.
- He faces an internal struggle – save the soldier, violating his duty to Japan, or report him, potentially condemning the man to execution.
- With Hana’s support, Dr. Sadao hides and treats the soldier secretly, risking his own reputation and safety.
- The moral conflict intensifies as Dr. Sadao navigates suspicion and pressure from authorities and neighbours.
- Internal debates, external threats, and the soldier’s gradual recovery drive the narrative forward.
- The story culminates in a tense encounter with General Tomura, where Dr. Sadao defends his actions and affirms his humanity.
- The ending remains ambiguous, leaving readers to ponder the long-term consequences of Dr. Sadao’s choice and the broader themes of the story.
Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer
Q:- Dr Sadao was compelled by his duty as a doctor to help the enemy soldier. What made Hana, his wife, sympathetic to him in the face of open defiance from the domestic staff?
Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer- Dr. Sadao and Hana, but without more context, it’s challenging to provide a specific answer. If this is part of a novel, short story, or other literary work, I would need more details to provide a comprehensive response.
- Love and Loyalty: Hana may love and respect Dr. Sadao and understand that his duty as a doctor compels him to provide medical care regardless of the patient’s nationality or affiliation.
- Humanitarian Values: Hana might share her husband’s humanitarian values, believing in the importance of treating all individuals with compassion and care, regardless of their background or circumstances.
- Moral Compass: Hana may possess a strong moral compass and recognize that helping an injured person is the right thing to do, regardless of the larger context of war or enmity.
- Understanding the Consequences: Hana might understand the potential consequences of defying societal norms or expectations, but she chooses to support her husband due to a deeper understanding of the ethical implications of his actions.
Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer- Without more details about the specific story or context, these are general possibilities. If you provide more information, I might be able to offer a more accurate interpretation. Hana displayed a natural tendency towards empathy and compassion for the injured soldier, regardless of his enemy status. She saw him as a suffering human being in need of care, a sentiment that transcended nationalistic boundaries. Independent of her husband’s actions, Hana likely possessed a strong moral compass that valued respect for human life and the alleviation of suffering. This internal sense of right and wrong played a role in her support for the soldier. Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer
Q:- How would you explain the reluctance of the soldier to leave the shelter of the doctor’s home even when he knew he couldn’t stay there without risk to the doctor and himself?
Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer- The reluctance of the soldier to leave the shelter of the doctor’s home, even when he knew it posed a risk to both the doctor and himself, could be attributed to several factors
- Fear of Capture or Harm: The soldier might fear being captured by enemy forces if he leaves the shelter. He may believe that staying with the doctor provides him with a better chance of avoiding detection or harm.
- Lack of Alternative Safe Havens: The soldier may perceive the doctor’s home as one of the few safe places available to him. In a war-torn environment, finding another secure location might be challenging, and the soldier might be unwilling to risk exposure by venturing out.
- Bond Formed with the Doctor: The soldier may have developed a bond or trust with the doctor and his family during his time in their care. This emotional connection could make it difficult for him to leave, as he might feel a sense of security and companionship within the doctor’s home.
- Injuries or Weakness: If the soldier is injured or in a weakened state, he might be physically unable to leave the shelter without assistance. This physical vulnerability could contribute to his reluctance to venture out on his own.
- Lingering Gratitude: The soldier may feel a sense of gratitude towards the doctor for providing medical assistance and shelter. This gratitude could create a moral dilemma for the soldier, making it difficult for him to leave despite the risks involved.
- Uncertain Future: The soldier might be unsure of what awaits him outside the doctor’s home. The war-torn environment and the unpredictability of the situation could make him hesitant to leave the relative safety and stability he has found within the doctor’s household. Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer
These factors, individually or in combination, can contribute to the soldier’s reluctance to leave the doctor’s home, even when he is aware of the potential risks to himself and those providing him shelter. Class 12th The Enemy Important Question Answer