THE ENEMY

Q. How did Hana and Dr Sadao meet? Why did Dr Sadao delay his marriage
to Hana?
A. Hana and Dr. Sadao met in America when they were both studying there. Dr.
Sadao was pursuing medicine, and Hana was also receiving her education. They
met at a professor’s house and gradually fell in love.

However, Dr. Sadao delayed marrying Hana until he was sure she was purely
Japanese. Despite meeting and liking her in America, he did not want to marry a
woman who was not fully rooted in Japanese culture and traditions. His father had
brought him up with strong national pride and values, and Sadao wanted to respect
those beliefs. So, he waited to confirm Hana’s background before proceeding with
the marriage.
What was the dilemma faced by Dr Sadao and Hana when they discovered an
Amrerican POW crawling to their house wounded and battered?

When Dr. Sadao and Hana discovered the wounded American prisoner of war
(POW) washed up near their house, they faced a serious moral and emotional
dilemma:
During wartime, Japanese citizens were expected to report or hand over any enemy
soldiers to the authorities. However, as a human being and a doctor, Sadao felt
morally obligated to save a dying man's life, regardless of his nationality.
Sheltering and treating an enemy could be considered treason. If discovered, they
could face arrest, punishment, or even death.
Hana was especially frightened when their servants noticed the American and grew
suspicious. One by one, the servants left, increasing their vulnerability. Both Sadao
and Hana were patriotic. Sadao’s father had raised him to be loyal to Japan. But
saving the enemy’s life felt like going against their country during a time of war.
As a short answer 2 marks
A. Dr. Sadao and Hana struggled between their national duty and their conscience.
In the end, their compassion won, and they secretly treated and later helped the
American soldier escape to safety, without betraying their humanity.
Q. Describe the reaction of Yumi and the Gardener. Why does Hana feel
superior to them and decide to wash the American Soldiers' wounds alone?

A. When Hana and Dr. Sadao brought the wounded American soldier into their
house, the servants reacted with fear, anger, and disapproval. Yumi refused to
wash the American soldier.
She was horrified and resentful, saying she had never touched a white man and
would not do so even if he were dying. She was also upset that such a dangerous
man was being kept in the house where the children lived.
The old gardener was deeply disturbed. He said: He believed it was wrong to save
the enemy, and that it would bring bad luck or misfortune to the house.
Despite feeling anxious herself, Hana felt morally and culturally superior to the
servants. She believed that they were narrow-minded and unkind, guided only by
fear and superstition. Seeing Yumi refuse to wash the man, Hana took it upon
herself to clean the soldier’s wounds, even though it was emotionally difficult for
her. Her decision reflected her inner strength, compassion, and sense of duty as a
human being, not just as a Japanese woman during wartime.
Hana rose above social fears and prejudice, choosing humanity over hatred, which
made her feel—and act—more nobly than the servants.

Q. Dr Sadao rose above narrow prejudice and lived by the oath he took as a
doctor. How does he ensure the well-being and safety of the soldier?

A. The lesson, “The Enemy” by Pearl S Buck, revolves around the theme of
courage, compassion, and moral duty over prejudice or narrow-mindedness.
Dr. Sadao indeed rose above narrow prejudice and fulfilled his duty as a doctor,
even when it conflicted with his national loyalty. He upheld the Oath to save life
and do no harm by treating the wounded American prisoner of war (POW) with
utmost care and professionalism.
 He Operated on the Soldier Despite the Risk. The American had a bullet wound
and severe injuries. Dr. Sadao performed a delicate surgery at home, fully aware
that helping an enemy soldier could lead to punishment or death for him and his
family. He Hid the Soldier from the Authorities. Instead of reporting the soldier to
the authorities, which was expected during wartime, he kept him hidden in a guest
room. He risked his reputation, career, and safety, proving that he valued human
life above all else.

He Provided Constant Medical Care. Sadao personally monitored the soldier’s

recovery, changing dressings, checking progress, and ensuring his nutrition. Even
though the servants left out of fear and disapproval, Dr. Sadao and Hana continued
the soldiers’ care without help.
He Found a Safe Way to Set Him Free. Once the soldier recovered, Dr. Sadao
realized it was no longer safe to keep him. He secretly arranged for the soldier’s
escape by giving him a boat, food, water, and directions to a nearby island where
he could be rescued by an American ship.
He even instructed the soldier how to use signals to confirm safety. Dr. Sadao did
not let hatred, fear, or patriotism cloud his medical ethics. He saved an enemy’s
life, not because he was unpatriotic, but because he was truly humane. His actions
reflect courage, compassion, and a deep commitment to his duty as a doctor.

Q. Dr Sadao and Hana did not relent even when the servants decided to leave
them. How did they cope with the absence of servants, tending to a wounded
soldier?

A. The story, “The Enemy” by Pearl S Buck, revolves around the theme of
courage, the moral duty of a doctor, and keeping humanity over nationalism during
conflict.
When the servants chose to leave after discovering that Dr. Sadao and Hana were
sheltering and treating an enemy American soldier, the couple faced immense
pressure, but they did not relent. Instead, they showed courage, resilience, and
moral strength.
They Took Over the Household Duties Themselves. With Yumi (the maid), the
gardener, and the cook all walking out, Hana had to manage the house without any
help. She took on tasks she was unaccustomed to, washing the soldier, cooking,
cleaning, and attending to the needs of her own family, all while coping with fear
and stress.
She stayed strong in front of the children and her husband, suppressing her fear and
disgust to help save an enemy. Dr. Sadao was fully occupied with operating on the
soldier, dressing wounds, and checking vital signs. He remained calm,
professional, and focused on his duty as a doctor, while also worrying about being
reported to the authorities.
Although both were under intense stress, Hana and Sadao stood by each other.
Hana trusted Sadao’s judgment and courage, and Sadao appreciated Hana’s
strength and silent cooperation. Together, they created a safe space for the soldier
to heal both physically and emotionally.
Even without servants and under the threat of arrest, Dr. Sadao and Hana did not
abandon their humanity. They managed everything alone, guided by compassion,
courage, and their sense of moral duty. Their actions showed that even in times of
war and fear, people can choose kindness over cruelty.

Q. What did Dr Sadao confess to the Japanese General, and how did he offer
to help him?
A. Dr. Sadao confessed to the Japanese General that he had been sheltering and
treating an American prisoner of war at his home. This was a dangerous and bold
confession, as harboring an enemy soldier during wartime could have led to severe
punishment or even execution.

He told the General that the wounded American sailor had drifted ashore near his
house. Despite knowing the man was an enemy, he had treated and saved his life
out of professional duty as a doctor. He explained that the soldier was now
recovered, but he did not know what to do with him, as turning him in would likely
result in the soldier's execution. Dr. Sadao offered to hand over the prisoner to the
General, leaving the decision in the General’s hands. He made it clear that he
would not let his feelings interfere, and was ready to comply with whatever the
General decided.

At the same time, by confessing, he was indirectly seeking a way to resolve the
situation without bloodshed, showing that he trusted the General to handle it
wisely. The General did not punish Dr. Sadao. Instead, he admired Sadao’s
medical skill and said he could not afford to let the only top surgeon in the country
be arrested or executed. The General promised to send assassins to “quietly
remove” the prisoner so that Sadao would be free of the burden.

The General never acted on his promise, either because he forgot or changed his
mind. Eventually, Dr. Sadao took matters into his own hands and helped the
American prisoner escape safely by boat.

Dr. Sadao bravely confessed to the General, showing honesty, courage, and a
desire to do the right thing within the boundaries of duty and patriotism. His offer
to help and his later decision to let the prisoner go reflect his deep moral integrity
and commitment to human life.

Q. After Dr. Sadao confessed to the General about sheltering the American
prisoner of war (PoW), he experienced several restless and anxious moments.
His inner turmoil reveals much about his conscience, courage, and humanity.

A. The lesson, “The Enemy” by Pearl S Buck, revolves around moral obligations
towards one's nation during war, moral duty towards professional ethics, courage,
and conviction in one's resolve.
Dr Sadao confessed to sheltering a wounded soldier after treating him. He did not
fear the consequences of his actions and confided in the general. The General had
promised to send assassins to kill the prisoner and solve the problem.
Every night, Sadao waited anxiously, wondering if that would be the night the
assassins came. He would wake up suddenly, startled by every sound, haunted by
guilt and dread. Although Sadao had left the decision to the General, he felt
responsible for whatever might happen to the young soldier.
He was torn between his loyalty to Japan and his duty as a doctor and a human
being. His conscience would not let him rest easy knowing the man might be
murdered under his roof. He kept checking if the man was still alive, trying to
prepare himself mentally for what might come. When no assassins arrived even
after days, the uncertainty became unbearable.
Sadao’s concern for the soldier’s life even after confessing shows that he is not
cold or indifferent. He cares deeply about others, even his enemies. His
restlessness proves he has a strong moral compass. He cannot simply “follow
orders” without questioning their ethical [Link] brave enough to save the
soldier and confess to the General, Sadao is still deeply human; he feels fear, guilt,
and doubt.

His anxiety reflects the emotional cost of doing what is right in difficult
circumstances. Dr. Sadao’s sleepless nights and emotional turmoil reveal a man of
honour, empathy, and integrity. His anxiety shows that real courage is not the
absence of fear, but the ability to act rightly despite it.