GSEB Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 4 The Enemy Solutions

Read and Find Out (Textbook Page No. 24)

Question 1. Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?
Answer: Dr Sadao Hoki was a well-known Japanese doctor and scientist. He had passed eight important years of his youth in America to get all the knowledge possible about surgery and medicine. He was making better a finding that would make injuries completely clean. Dr Sadao's home stood on rocks high above a small beach with curved pine trees. It was located on a place on the Japanese coast.
In simple words: Dr Sadao was a famous Japanese surgeon and scientist. His house was built on rocks above a narrow beach on the Japanese coast.

Exam Tip: When asked about a character, always state their profession and a key detail about their background or location, as these often reveal their personality or circumstances.

Read and Find Out (Textbook Page No. 27)

Question 1. Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy?
Answer: Dr Sadao understood they would be caught if they hid a white person in their home. The injured person was a war captive who had run away with a bullet in his back. As Japan fought with America, keeping an enemy meant becoming a betrayer to Japan. Dr Sadao might be seized if anyone spoke against him and charged him with hiding a foe.
In simple words: Yes, Dr Sadao could be arrested for sheltering an enemy. It was a serious crime during wartime, risking his freedom and life.

Exam Tip: Remember that in wartime, allegiance to one's country often overrides personal morality, leading to severe consequences for those who defy it.

Read and Find Out (Textbook Page No. 31)

Question 1. Will Hana help the wounded man and wash him herself?
Answer: The injured American was in poor condition and needed cleaning before surgery. Hana preferred Dr Sadao not to clean the messy, unconscious captive, so she requested their maid, Yumi, to do it. However, Yumi went against her mistress's command and chose not to do it. Consequently, Hana had no choice but to clean him herself. Even though this action was spontaneous and showed a feeling of being better than her maid, Yumi, she did it honestly.
In simple words: Yes, Hana had to wash the wounded man herself because her servant, Yumi, refused to do it.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to the characters' actions and their underlying motivations; Hana's act shows a blend of duty, humanity, and a momentary sense of superiority.

Read and Find Out (Textbook Page No. 35)

Question 1. What will Dr Sadao and his wife do with the man?
Answer: Dr Sadao and Hana discovered an unconscious, injured war captive who presented a great risk to their own security. Nonetheless, Dr Sadao chose to follow his inner instinct and perform surgery on him. He rescued his life, even if only for a short time. Despite some hesitation, both provided good care for the patient's health and other necessities. Hana personally cleaned and fed him. Even though they understood they must give him to the army eventually, they tried their hardest to aid the hurt person.
In simple words: Dr Sadao and Hana decided to save the wounded man's life through surgery and care, even though they knew they would eventually have to hand him over to the army.

Exam Tip: This question highlights the central conflict between duty, patriotism, and humanitarian values in the story.

Read and Find Out (Textbook Page No. 39)

Read and Find Out (Textbook Page No. 43)

Question 1. What will Dr Sadao do to get rid of the man?
Answer: With the wounded American's health slowly getting better, Dr Sadao and Hana were unsure about what to do with him. Their faithful servants had gone, and holding him in their home could put their lives in danger. As Hana became more impatient and worried, Dr Sadao told the General, who chose to dispatch killers to end the young American's life while he slept. Eager to remove the escaped war captive, Dr Sadao consented. Nevertheless, the issue remained unsolved because the killers never appeared. Dr Sadao then thought of another method to remove him, which was influenced by compassion and a faint thankfulness for the people he had known in America. He chose to rescue his patient once again. He privately dispatched him to a lonely island with provisions, sealed water, attire, a cover, and his own torch on a vessel, from which he took a Korean boat to liberty and security.
In simple words: First, Dr Sadao told the General who promised to send assassins, but they never came. Then, moved by sympathy, Dr Sadao helped the American escape by giving him a boat, food, and supplies to reach a Korean ship.

Exam Tip: Detail both of Dr Sadao's attempts to "get rid" of the American, highlighting the shift from planned assassination to compassionate escape, showing his evolving character.

Reading with Insight

Answer the following questions in about six to seven sentences each:

Question 1. 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.
Answer: Dr Sadao is caught in a hard situation. On one hand, he is a doctor, holding a moral and right duty to rescue the injured soldier. On the other side, as a nationalist, he could allow the foe to pass away or surrender him to the military. He completes his moral duty, rescues the man, endangers his own life, family, and good name. Then later, as a loyal citizen, he intends to have him killed with the military general's aid. Later once more, he assists him in fleeing, which shows his real character. This story perfectly illustrates the conflict between personal conscience and national duty.
In simple words: Dr Sadao faces a tough choice between his duty as a doctor to save a life and his duty as a patriot against an enemy. He ultimately chooses humanity over national loyalty.

Exam Tip: Focus on the internal conflict Dr Sadao experiences. Use terms like "moral dilemma," "ethical responsibility," and "national loyalty" to show deep understanding.

Question 2. 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?
Answer: Hana strongly supports her husband's feeling of duty, even though she understands his choice is doubted by all. She is kind and caring, and she does more than her expected job, performing tasks she doesn't have to. Her kindness is what aids the man to get better fast. She values her husband and feels responsible for him. Despite the servants' opposition, her humanitarian nature and devotion to her husband's moral principles guide her actions.
In simple words: Hana supported her husband due to her own kind nature and respect for his medical duty, even when their servants opposed them.

Exam Tip: Highlight Hana's independent moral compass and her loyalty to Dr Sadao as key factors, showing she's not just following orders but making her own difficult choices.

Question 3. 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?
Answer: Sadao and Hana had handled the American man with much warmth and friendliness. The man had been greatly hurt by the Japanese army, having been made a war captive. This friendly approach from Sadao and Hana brought him such comfort that he did not wish to depart from their home. The man felt comfortable – secure and cozy. Thus, even though they faced danger from the army and the Japanese people, the man was unwilling to abandon them. He likely felt safer with the doctor and his wife than facing an uncertain fate.
In simple words: The soldier felt safe and cared for by Sadao and Hana, which was a stark contrast to his harsh treatment as a prisoner. This made him unwilling to leave their shelter despite the risks.

Exam Tip: Emphasize the psychological impact of kindness on the soldier, contrasting it with his experience as a prisoner of war, to explain his reluctance.

Question 4. 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?
Answer: Throughout his life, the General had carried out his responsibilities with extreme honesty. He realized that ending the lives of blameless men had become a weight on his spirit. He grasped Sadao's way of thinking, which showed that he wished to preserve a life no matter if the person came from an opposing nation. The General also viewed him as a human, and therefore, forgave Sadao for saving his existence. While he seemed self-absorbed and forgetful, there was an underlying human consideration that made him excuse Sadao's actions.
In simple words: The General's attitude was a mix of self-absorption and human consideration. He understood Sadao's desire to save a life and found it difficult to kill innocent people, which allowed him to overlook Sadao's actions.

Exam Tip: Analyze the General's character as complex; his self-interest and physical weakness contributed to his inaction, but don't overlook a possible flicker of humanity.

Question 5. While hatred against a member of the enemy race is justifiable, especially during wartime, what makes a human being rise above narrow prejudices?
Answer: War news is quickly turning into a normal part of existence. As soon as someone grabs a newspaper, they are flooded with reports of conflicts between nations, directly or indirectly. It is clear that fighting countries are foes, and dislike is a part of this hostility. Nevertheless, human triumph happens when we move past this hostility and display our affection for all people. Dr Sadao acted similarly. He did everything possible to rescue the life of a person he knew was a war captive. The moment he looked at the hurt man, he was full of worry. Even though he was his country's enemy, and might have harmed many Japanese or would do so again if living, he rescued him. This ability to see shared humanity makes individuals rise above narrow prejudices.
In simple words: Compassion and the recognition of shared human life allow individuals to overcome wartime hatred and narrow-mindedness, as seen in Dr Sadao's actions.

Exam Tip: Focus on the themes of humanity and universal brotherhood. Use examples from the story to illustrate how characters move beyond nationalistic hatred.

Question 6. Do you think the doctor's final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the circumstances?
Answer: The doctor did his utmost to rescue the hurt soldier as part of his job. But the main query was what to proceed with next. It cannot be claimed that he was unfaithful to his nation since he spoke honestly to the General. Yet, when he saw that the soldier would be killed, not for the nation's good but solely to protect the doctor's life, he chose to aid his escape. In this circumstance, the doctor's ultimate answer to the issue was the most suitable. It saved both the soldier's life and Dr Sadao's family from potential harm.
In simple words: Yes, the doctor's final plan to help the soldier escape was the best option. It saved the soldier's life and protected Dr Sadao and his family, without truly betraying his country.

Exam Tip: Justify your opinion by considering the outcomes for both Dr Sadao and the American soldier, showing how it resolved the moral and practical dilemmas.

Question 7. Does the story remind you of 'Birth' by A. J. Cronin that you read in Snapshots last year? What are the similarities?
Answer: The tale strongly brings to mind 'Birth' by A. J. Cronin. There is a notable likeness between both narratives. Both stories center on doctors who work incredibly hard to save the lives of people almost gone. In 'Birth', Dr Andrew rescues a nearly lifeless baby boy with great struggle, whereas 'The Enemy' tells about Dr Sadao saving an American fighter from enemy forces during wartime. Both narratives cover human kindness, care, warmth, self-sacrifice, and a deep commitment to one's responsibilities. The core similarity is the unwavering dedication of doctors to their profession and the sanctity of life.
In simple words: Yes, the story is similar to 'Birth' by A. J. Cronin. Both stories are about doctors who try very hard to save lives, showing themes of humanity, selfless acts, and strong duty.

Exam Tip: When comparing, identify common themes (e.g., medical duty, humanity, selflessness) and specific examples from each story to support your points clearly.

Question 8. Is there any film you have seen or- novel you have read with a similar theme?
Answer: The narrative 'The Enemy' stands on the foundations of self-sacrifice, feeling of duty, compassion, and giving. Many movies and books have been made about this topic. A good instance is the movie 'My Name is Khan', where the main character, driven by duty and kindness, travels to flooded Georgia to rescue his friends, Mama Jenny, Joel and other local people. He unselfishly strives to protect the town, without considering the risks to his own existence. This film, like the story, showcases how human values can transcend personal danger and prejudice.
In simple words: The story's themes of selflessness and duty are seen in 'My Name is Khan', where the main character helps others in danger, showing deep kindness.

Exam Tip: When providing examples, briefly explain how the chosen film or novel connects to the key themes of 'The Enemy' to demonstrate understanding.

The Enemy Summary in English

The Enemy Summary:

Sadao worked as a Japanese doctor. He learned in America and came back with Hana, a Japanese woman he met there, then married her in Japan and lived pleasantly. While many other doctors were sent to help the Japanese army during World War II, Sadao was permitted to remain home because the old General, who was nearing his end, needed him.

But one evening, an American Navy sailor, shot, hurt, and fading, entered his calm life. Even though he did not want to assist his foe, Sadao brought the young soldier into his home and gave him medical care. He faced risk from that point. His helpers soon departed. Dr Sadao observed that the soldier was healing and completely fine. After his patient no longer required his care, the doctor became his potential killer, planning to end his life in his sleep.

He told the General about the American, and the General gave his word he would send his personal guards to kill the American. Sadao hoped for the American's death each morning, but to his sadness, the man remained alive, stronger, and a threat to him. At this stage, Sadao becomes his true self, a real person who understands the vital value of human existence and global unity.

He considers things beyond nations, lands, ethnic groups, and conflicts. He sees no cause to think the American is his foe. Sadao saves the American. Therefore, Sadao goes beyond limited biases and behaves in a genuinely kind manner.

12th Std English Questions And Answers