Class 12 English - BIHAR
Supplementary: The Enemy
Supplementary: The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck is a profound story set during World War II, focusing on Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon who finds an injured American prisoner of war washed ashore near his home. The chapter explores the eternal conflict between humanism, professional ethics, and national loyalty. For BSEB Class 12 students, this chapter is crucial for board exams as it tests deep comprehension, character analysis, and thematic understanding of empathy overriding racial and national prejudices. Questions from this chapter frequently appear in both short-answer and long-answer formats in the English board examination.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Dilemma of Duty vs. Humanity
Dr. Sadao faces a severe moral conflict between his duty as a loyal Japanese citizen to report an enemy soldier and his duty as a doctor to save a dying human life.
Professional Ethics of a Physician
Sadao's absolute dedication to the Hippocratic oath prevents him from letting any patient die, regardless of whether that patient belongs to an enemy nation.
Xenophobia and Nationalism
The story highlights the intense wartime hatred and suspicion prevalent in Japan against Americans, portrayed through the attitudes of the servants and the general societal mindset.
Hana's Compassion and Support
Sadao's wife, Hana, stands by him despite immense fear and social risk, demonstrating that empathy and moral courage can transcend national boundaries.
The General's Self-Absorbtion
General Takada delays arresting Sadao not out of kindness, but purely because of his own selfish need for Sadao's superior surgical skills for his personal health treatment.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) Class 12 English exam, chapters from the 'Vistas' supplementary reader typically contribute around 8 to 12 marks. Questions commonly include 2-mark short-answer questions based on plot details and character motivations, as well as 5-mark long-answer questions focusing on the central theme of humanity versus patriotism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dr. Sadao save the American soldier despite the risk?
Dr. Sadao saved the soldier primarily because of his professional training and medical ethics as a doctor, which compelled him to treat any injured human being regardless of their nationality.
Why didn't the General have Sadao arrested for treason?
The General depended entirely on Dr. Sadao for his own medical treatment and feared that no other surgeon was skilled enough to operate on him if Sadao was arrested.
What is the significance of the title 'The Enemy'?
The title is ironic; while the American soldier is legally an 'enemy' of Japan during wartime, the real enemies in the story are narrow-minded nationalism, prejudice, and hatred that divide humanity.
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