Class 12 English - HARYANA
Supplementary: The Enemy
The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck is a poignant story set during World War II, exploring the moral dilemma faced by Sadao, a Japanese surgeon. He finds an injured American prisoner of war washed ashore near his home. Bound by his medical oath to save lives and torn by fierce patriotism, Sadao chooses humanity over nationality. The chapter highlights the conflict between professional ethics, human empathy, and national loyalty. For BSEH Class 12 board exams, this chapter is crucial for testing long-answer writing skills, character analysis, and thematic understanding, frequently appearing in reading comprehension and literature sections.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Dr. Sadao Hoki
A brilliant Japanese surgeon and scientist trained in America, who faces a severe ethical conflict between his duty as a doctor and his loyalty to his country.
Hana
Sadao's loyal and supportive wife who stands by him during the crisis, managing the household and assisting in the secret operation despite her own fears.
Tom
The young American prisoner of war (POW) who represents the enemy to Japan but ultimately embodies human vulnerability and the victims of war.
The Ethical Dilemma
The core conflict of the story: whether to hand over the wounded enemy soldier to the authorities or save his life following the Hippocratic Oath.
General Takada
A selfish Japanese general who is more concerned about his own health and treatment than the presence of an enemy soldier in Sadao's house.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Haryana Board (BSEH) Class 12 English exam, supplementary reader chapters like 'The Enemy' carry around 4 to 6 marks. Questions are typically asked as long-answer type questions (evaluating character traits or moral dilemmas) and short-answer type questions focusing on the plot and justification of the title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dr. Sadao save the American soldier despite knowing the consequences?
As a trained doctor, Sadao was bound by his professional ethics and the Hippocratic oath to save a dying human being, regardless of whether he belonged to an enemy nation.
How did Hana help Dr. Sadao during the operation?
Hana washed the wounded soldier, assisted her husband by giving the anaesthetic, and managed the household servants who threatened to leave.
Why didn't the General have Sadao arrested for harbouring an enemy?
The General was selfishly dependent on Sadao for his own medical treatment and feared that if Sadao was arrested, no other surgeon was skilled enough to operate on him.
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