CBSE Class 12 English The Enemy Notes Set A

The Enemy Class 12 English Summary of the Story

SUMMARY OF THE STORY

Dr. Sadao Hoki was a Japanese surgeon. He studied in America and returned with Hana, a Japanese girl whom he met there and married in Japan. While most of the doctors were sent to serve the Japanese army in the World War II, Sadao was allowed to stay home for two reasons: he was perfecting a discovery on cleaning wounds and the old General might need him for an operation.
He lived with his wife Hana and two children on the Japanese sea-coast. His house was located on the sea-coast where he had spent his childhood. Once while the couple was enjoying the mist at dusk on their porch, they noticed some movement near the sea. A man ‘flung’ out of the ocean, walked few steps and then fell unconscious. He was badly injured. They discovered that the white man was an escaped prisoner of war, a sailor from an American warship. He had lost a lot of blood due to a gun wound and a rock injury.

The couple knew that they would be termed treacherous if they did not inform the police or the army about it, who would eventually kill the man. But, they could not bring themselves to do what seemed the best course of action at that point, i.e., to throw the man back into the sea. After a lot of speculation, the doctor thought of treating the dying man on humanitarian grounds before deciding his fate.

Though unwilling to help his enemy, Dr. Sadao took the young soldier into his house and provided him with medical aid. Sadao performed a difficult operation and removed the bullet efficiently. Hana helped her husband in whatever way she could. She herself took every possible care of the American, even fed him with her own hands.

Under Hana’s care and the expert medical administration of Dr. Sadao, the young American recuperated. Soon his scared servants left him. Dr. Sadao saw that the soldier was getting well and looked absolutely alright. Once his patient was no more in need of him, the doctor turned into a patriot, conspiring to kill him in his sleep. He informed the General of the American and the General promised that he would send his private men to kill the American. Sadao awaited the American’s death every morning but to his gloom the man was still alive, healthier and posing danger to him. He decided to get rid of the stranger and the inconvenience his presence caused. He packed him off on a boat with the basic necessities like food, bottled water and two blankets to a nearby isolated island from where he was to board a Korean ship to freedom and safety. He even gave the young man his own flashlight, to be used in time of need as well as to signal Dr. Sadao about his well-being. Thus, Tom departed secretly.

Sadao became the real man, a true human being who realized the essential worth of human life and universal brotherhood. He thought beyond countries and continents and races and wars. He found no reason to believe that the American was his enemy. Thus, Sadao rose above narrow prejudices and acted in a truly humanitarian way.

The Enemy Class 12 English Character Sketch

CHARACTER SKETCH: Dr. Sadao Hoki

Dr. Sadao Hoki was a famous Japanese surgeon and a scientist. He was perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean. He is a perfect role model for all the doctors of the world who really upholds the values of his profession.

His father had taken great care of his upbringing and instilled in his mind that he had to be a great doctor and surgeon. He sent him to America at the age of 22 to learn medicine. He stayed there for 8 years and observed strict self-discipline. He met Hana, another Japanese girl and fell in love with her.

However, he waited until his father’s approval and married her only after the approval. The best trait of his personality comes to light when he risked his own life and the entire family and dared to save an enemy. Japan and America were at war in the World War II. During this an American POW, Tom is washed ashore near his home.

Sadao saves him. He faces opposition from his servants but he knows his responsibilities as a doctor. He is a man of clear conscience.

Not only is he a good human being, he is a perfect and skilled doctor also. General Takima also had great faith in him.

CHARACTER SKETCH: Hana

Hana is the embodiment of a loving, dedicated and caring wife. She loves her family. She always has love and affection in her heart for Sadao. In spite of being married for so many years, she is still the same loving wife. She often assists Sadao in his medical operations as she helped him with anesthetics while he operated on Tom. She gets scared when a man in uniform appears at the gate. She is full of human consideration. Though she does not have good feelings for the enemy soldier; she does not turn him over for fear of disturbing his wounds. She assists her husband in performing the operation on the wounded soldier. She is quite hardworking. When Yumi, the nurse refuses to wash Tom, she does it herself. When the servants leave Sadao’s home in protest, she does all the chores herself. However, she is not as courageous as Sadao.

Central idea- what is more important –loyalty to your country or saving a person`s life no matter who they are

• Story is set during World War II – story of conflict between humaneness and patriotism
• Ideally there should not be any conflict but most people are unable to achieve this balance of devoted to the country and also have the ability to transcend all pettiness and narrow barriers of caste, colour and nationality
• War dehumanizes and desensitizes people – it prevents people from thinking about others with compassion and empathy
• Shown through the situation between Tom the American POW [Prisoner of War] and the Japanese couple Dr. Sadao And Hana
• As professional and human beings Sadao wants to save the life of the American
• Undergoes a conflict due to the POW’s identity
• Is also countered by prejudice within his own mind as he had experienced cultural prejudice and bias during his stay in USA
• His conscience and professional ethics emerge as the winner – removes bullet and staunches the blood though he feels the burden of being labelled a traitor
• So, informs his superior – The General, who agrees to have him killed by assassins
• Undergoes a deep dilemma and conflict again – spends three sleepless nights in apprehension
• Adopts humane approach – overcomes conflict- realizes as a doctor his nationality is mankind- helps the soldier escape to safety and wonders at his own action

The American Soldier

• Flung out of the ocean
• A prisoner of war-escaped but was shot at the back
• Suffered torture and hunger – exposes the brutality associated with war
• Wounded, bleeding lay unconscious – needed medical aid
• Had strong will power and extraordinary vitality
• Apprehensive of future but feels secure with the Japanese couple
• Full of gratitude towards Sadao

Sadao and Hana help the soldier

• Sadao packed the wound with sea moss to stop bleeding
• Intended to save his life before giving him to the police, brought him home
• Hana washed his wounds
• Sadao operated on his body, pulled the bullet out, Hana helped Sadao with the anaesthetic
• Took care of his weak body- Hana fed him with her own hands

Reaction of servants

• Unhappy, wanted their master to give the American soldier to the police
• Hated the soldier, Yumi refused to touch him
• The gardener felt that Sadao should have allowed the soldier to bleed to death
• He said the sea and the gun would take revenge if Sadao saved the soldier
• They felt that Hana and Sadao liked Americans and did not care for their own nation
• The cook said that Sadao was proud of his skill and used it irresponsibly
• They left the house when the American continued to be treated and nursed by their masters

The General

• Selfish – did not move Sadao for the benefit of the troops fighting at the warfront but kept him for his own personal treatment
• Had faith in Sadao and his skills
• Promised to send assassins and remove the body of the soldier but forgot to send assassins as he was busy thinking about himself
• Did not want Sadao to think he was not patriotic
• Promised to reward Sadao for his loyalty

Escape of The American Soldier

• Sadao explained his plan. He put his boat with clothes, water and food and asked the soldier to row to an uninhabited island nearby
• Suggested that he could catch fish but advised him to eat it raw
• Asked him to wait for a Korean fishing boat to sail to his freedom
• Gave him his flashlight. Asked the soldier to flash the light in case of an emergency
• Sadao gave him Japanese clothes and covered his hair with a black cloth

True Patriots And Human Beings

• Both Sadao and Hana are full of fellow-feeling and kindness for people in distress
• Saved the American soldier, took care of his health, sent him out of Japan, risked their own life by sheltering an enemy
• Truly patriotic – both wanted to give the soldier to the police
• Had no objection if assassins killed the soldier
• Revealed the secret to the general
• Wanted to get rid of the enemy after saving his life
• Overcomes the narrow line of Patriotism to become humane
• Dedicated surgeon and global citizen

Character Sketch of Hana

• Balance of qualities of head and heart – near perfect woman
• Capable of switching over to any role with effortlessness – when servants decide to leave, immediately takes on their responsibilities and is dignified and graceful about it
• Enthusiasm for patriotism does not make her blind to the need for showing fellow feeling towards POW
• Maintains her calm in the times of conflict though she is extremely tense and fearful
• Becomes an anaesthetist when the need arises – cooperative and understanding
• In spite of her dislike for the POW, she washes him and treats him respectfully
• Is a true human being before being a Japanese

Sadao knew that his education was his father’s chief concern. For this reason he had been sent at twenty-two to America to learn all that could be learned of surgery and medicine. He had come back at thirty, and before his father died he had seen Sadao become famous not only as a surgeon but as a scientist. Because he was perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean, he had not been sent abroad with the troops.

i. How has education become important to Dr. Sadao?
Answer: Sadao knew that his education was his father’s chief concern. For this reason he had been sent at twenty-two to America to learn all that could be learned of surgery and medicine.

ii. Why was it necessary to retain Dr. Sadao in station?
(a) Due to illness
(b) Due to his father's death
(c) As he was doing the research.
(d) He was busy with politics
Answer: (c)

iii. Dr. Sadao was not only a famous surgeon but also _____________________.
Answer: A Scientist

iv. Why were doctors sent along with the troops?
Answer: As war was going on and the doctors' services were required in the war field to tend to the wounded soldiers.

Answer the following questions briefly. 

Q1. The servants decided to leave the house of Dr. Sadao. Why do you think they couldn’t obey their master?
Answer: The servants were patriotic and did not approve the actions of their master Dr. Sadao. They felt that he wanted to prove that he was a genius surgeon. It was anti-patriotism to serve the Whiteman who was an enemy soldier.

Q2. Even after knowing that the man lying unconscious was a Whiteman- an enemy, why did Dr. Sadao decide to treat the Whiteman on the shore?
Answer: Dr. Sadao decided to treat the wounded White man as he was bleeding and unconsciously lying on the sea shore. As a Doctor, he had to treat the wounded man. First, he was a doctor whose priority was to save life no matter who he was.

Q3. What is an ‘absolute state’? Why are assassins necessary in such a state?
Answer: Value points:

• An absolute state is one that is dictatorial and tyrannical and is ruled by an autocratic ruler
• Resistance of any kind is not tolerated in such a state
• During the world war two, Japan was in this state and it was necessary for rulers to keep assassins in order to repress and silence any kind of disgruntlement or hostility.

Answer the questions in 120-150 words:

Q1. Prepare a speech on the topic “Patriotism and Humanity”. Cite examples to prove that Sadao and Hana were true patriots and human beings. Justify with reference to the story.
Answer: Value Points:

• Both full of patriotism, proud of Japan and its culture.
• Hated Americans, found them repulsive, full of prejudices against Japanese.
• Both Sadao & Hana considered humanity above patriotism.
• As a doctor, he could not leave his patient in distress, could not stop himself from saving the life of the wounded American soldier.
• Both risked their lives and reputation by helping and sheltering the soldier. Hana was equally compassionate—washed the soldier's wounds herself when Yumi refused.
• Considered every soldier as a human being in distress.
• Did not hand him over to police initially as the soldier was weak and could die. Did not want to keep the American soldier when he fully recovered.
• Sadao told the General about the soldier. He had no objection if the soldier was killed by the assassins but was ill-at ease and worried that harm may come to him shows that he is essentially kind.
• Helped the soldier to escape, gave him food, clothes and water on his boat.
• Sadao found relief when the soldier did not give any signal through his flash light as he was safe.
• Saved the soldier as true human beings.
• Wanted to get rid of him as true patriots.