Class 12 English - MP
Supplementary: The Enemy
The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck is a powerful chapter from the Class 12 English Supplementary Reader (Vistas) prescribed by MPBSE. It revolves around Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon who finds an injured American prisoner of war washed ashore during World War II. The story highlights the timeless dilemma between humanism and nationalism, ethics and duty. For MPBSE board exams, this chapter is extremely important as it frequently features in long-answer and short-answer questions testing critical thinking, character analysis, and thematic understanding of compassion transcending geographical and political borders.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Ethical Dilemma of Dr. Sadao
Dr. Sadao struggles between his professional oath as a doctor to save life and his legal duty as a Japanese citizen to turn in an enemy soldier.
Role of Hana
Sadao's wife Hana represents courage, compassion, and support, helping him operate on the enemy despite immense personal risk and societal pressure.
General Takada's Patriotism vs. Selfishness
The General delays action against the American prisoner not out of mercy, but because he trusts only Sadao for his own impending medical operation.
Theme of Universal Brotherhood
The story emphasizes that humanity and medical ethics rise above wartime hatred and national animosities.
Servants' Reaction
The domestic servants, especially Yumi, reflect the deep-rooted prejudice and fear of the local community against the enemy.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Madhya Pradesh (MPBSE) Class 12 English board exam, chapters from Vistas typically contribute significantly to the literature section. This chapter frequently carries questions worth 2 to 4 marks, including short-answer questions about character traits and plot events, as well as long-answer questions focusing on the central theme of humanity versus nationalism.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Dr. Sadao save the American soldier despite him being an enemy?
Dr. Sadao saved him primarily because of his professional training and medical ethics as a doctor, which dictated that a dying man must be saved regardless of his nationality.
Why did the General not have Dr. Sadao arrested for treason?
The General was selfish and self-absorbed; he relied solely on Dr. Sadao's surgical skills for his own health and feared that arresting Sadao would endanger his life.
How does the story highlight the theme of humanity transcending borders?
The story shows how Dr. Sadao and Hana risked their lives and social standing to help a wounded American soldier, proving that human empathy and compassion are greater than wartime propaganda and national boundaries.
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