Chapter – 4: The Enemy

Q. No. 10) The author has used ‘blood’ as a symbol in the story. Comment on its impact
on the reader.
Ans. The author's use of the symbol of 'blood' in the story "The Enemy" creates a strong
impact on the reader. It represents the common humanity shared by enemies and challenges
the notions of hatred and prejudice, evoking empathy and promoting reflection.
Q. No. 11) Sadao and Hana look upon their time in America with disdain due to the
prejudice that they were subjected to. How does racial prejudice taint a person’s soul
forever?
Ans. Racial prejudice stains a person's soul forever by instilling deep-seated feelings of
inferiority, anger, and resentment. It undermines one's self-worth, fosters bitterness, and
hampers the ability to trust and connect with others, leaving a lasting emotional and
psychological impact.
Q. No. 12) Sadao and Hana have a moral compass that urges them to save the
prisoner’s life. Do we all need this moral compass? Why?
Ans. Yes, we all need a moral compass because it guides us to make ethical choices and act
in ways that are fair, just, and compassionate. It helps us uphold values, consider the
consequences of our actions, and promote the well-being of others and ourselves.
Q. No. 13) Pearl Buck depicts the servants in a way to convey a message about
Japanese people and culture. Support your answer with textual evidence.
Ans. In "The Enemy," Pearl Buck portrays the servants in a respectful and dignified manner,
highlighting their loyalty, dedication, and willingness to serve. This indicates her intention to
challenge stereotypes and prejudices associated with Japanese people and culture.
Q. No. 14) “But Sadao searching the spot of black in the twilight sea that night, had his
reward”. What was the reward?
Ans.
 The “reward” was the escape of the enemy.
 Despite all moral dilemmas, Dr. Sadao listens to his heart every time and takes the
right decision and his wife Hana very gently follows him.
 At last, the general forgets to keep his promise, which gives Sadao an opportunity to
reconsider his decision.
 He gives the soldier a boat, food, bottled water, and quilts and asks him to wait for a
Korean fishing boat to escape.
 Dr. Sadao searched the spot of black in the twilight sea that night to see if the man was
still there but there was no light. Obviously, the man had gone.
Q. No. 15) How do we know that Dr. Sadao was conscientious as well as loyal?
Ans.
 True to his profession (conscientious) – attended to the wounded soldier and saved his
life.
 Informed the General about the prisoner and agreed to the plan of assassination. (loyal
to his country)
Q. No. 16) In The Enemy, Hana's thoughts and actions regarding Tom were in discord.
Support this statement with examples from the text.
Ans. Hana mentions that the kindest thing that they could do for Tom would be to put him
back in the sea and yet, she takes him back inside the house with Sadao.
When Sadao decides to operate upon him, she stops him from trying to save Tom. Yet, when
he asks her to help give him anesthesia, she does, even though she retches at the sight of
blood.

Q. No. 17) Answer the question in the context of the following lines from ‘The Enemy’.
“Stupid Yumi,” she muttered fiercely. “Is this anything but a man? And a wounded
helpless man!”
In the conviction of her own superiority, she bent impulsively and untied the knotted
rugs that kept the white man covered.
Explain the superiority Hana is convinced about.
Ans.
 In the given lines, Hana is expressing her frustration with Yumi, who is hesitant to
help her with the wounded white man.
 By saying "Is this anything but a man? And a wounded helpless man!" Hana is
highlighting the fact that they are all humans, regardless of their race or nationality.
 She believes that their common humanity makes it their moral duty to help the
wounded man.
 In these lines, she is asserting her own intervention and belief in the importance of
doing the right thing, even if it goes against traditional values or societal norms.
 This demonstrates her sense of moral superiority over Yumi, who is more concerned
with following the strict rules of her society than with helping a fellow human being.
Q. No. 18) What happened on the seventh day after Dr. Sadao had typed the letter?
Ans. Two things that happened on the seventh day.
 The cook, the gardener, and Yumi packed up their belongings and left together. But
Hana put up a brave front.
 The second thing that happened was the arrival of a messenger to tell Sadao that he
had been called to the palace as the general was in pain again.
Q. No. 19) Sadao’s acceptance of the General’s plan to assassinate Tom was
counterproductive to have put him on the path of recovery. Substantiate with reason/s.
Ans.
 As a doctor- adhere to a sense of duty
 As a human being- a sense of humaneness
 Acceptance of the general’s plan – in accord with loyalty to his country which was at
war with Tom’s country.
Q. No. 20) Dr. Sadao planned and helped the enemy soldier to escape. Comment.
Ans. General had promised Dr. Sadao that he would get the soldier quietly killed through his
private assassins but he forgot to get rid of him. Dr. Sadao could do nothing. He wanted to
get rid of the wounded soldier as the servants had left the house, the news could spread. So
he devised his own plan to get the soldier off to the nearby island. He managed food, clothes,
water, a torch, and his boat for the soldier. He guided and instructed him. The white soldier
took leave of him and followed his instructions and managed to escape safely. Thus all these
prove that it was the only way to get out of the dilemma/problem.
Q. No. 21) The servants of Sadao and Hana reflect a particular mindset of the general
public in society towards thinking and broad-minded human beings. Elaborate with the
help of the story “The Enemy”
Ans. Servants reflect the mindset of a poor, uneducated, and narrow-minded section of
society.
They are frightened on hearing about the wounded American soldier:

 The old gardener- felt the soldier should die if saved sea would take revenge
 Yumi- refused to wash the wounds of the enemy soldier, angry with Sadao for putting
his family in danger
 The cook- felt Sadeo was too proud of his skills so operated and saved the enemy
Finally, servants left Sadao’s house afraid of the repercussions of helping an enemy soldier
and could not understand Sadao’s dilemma.

Q. No. 22) You recently watched an interview of one of the doctors who serve for the
organization named ‘Doctors without Borders’. This organization serves people in
remote corners of the world that are affected by civil strife, poverty, and lack of
medical facilities.
You were impressed with the dedication, compassion, and professional ethics of this
doctor.
Write an article for an e-zine expressing the need for more such people in the world to
serve selflessly.
Ans.
The Need for Selfless Service: Inspiring Stories from Doctors without Borders
In a world often overshadowed by conflicts, poverty, and inadequate healthcare, there exists
a group of extraordinary individuals who epitomize dedication, compassion, and professional
ethics. They are the doctors serving with the organization "Doctors without Borders,"
bringing medical aid to the remote corners of the world where it is needed most. Their
selfless service not only saves lives but also ignites a beacon of hope in the hearts of those
who have been neglected and forgotten.

Recently, I had the privilege of watching an interview with one of these remarkable doctors,
and their words left an indelible mark on my soul. They spoke of the profound impact that
even a single doctor can have on communities ravaged by civil strife, poverty, and the
absence of medical facilities. It is their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment that truly
make a difference in the lives of the vulnerable.

The dedication displayed by these doctors is awe-inspiring. They leave the comforts of their
homes, families, and familiar surroundings to venture into the unknown, facing challenges
unimaginable to most. They work under arduous conditions, often risking their own safety,
driven solely by their desire to heal and alleviate suffering.

Moreover, the professional ethics upheld by these doctors are exemplary. They prioritize the
well-being of their patients above all else, providing equal and unbiased care to every
individual, regardless of their background or circumstances. They work tirelessly to restore
health and dignity to those who have been marginalized.

These doctors serve as a reminder of the immense power of selflessness. Their inspiring
stories compel us to reflect on our own lives and consider how we can contribute to making
this world a better place. We need more individuals who are willing to set aside personal
comforts and embrace the call to serve humanity. We need more doctors who will go beyond
the boundaries of their own countries to provide medical aid to those in desperate need.
It is through their collective efforts that we can bridge the gap between privilege and poverty,
conflict and peace, illness and well-being. Let us celebrate the work of these extraordinary
individuals and strive to follow in their footsteps. Together, we can build a world where
selfless service becomes the norm, and no corner of this planet is left devoid of compassion
and medical care.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the
service of others." Let us heed his words and embark on a journey of selflessness, just like
the doctors of "Doctors without Borders."

Q. No. 23) Imagine Tom reaches home safely. He has fully recovered and the war has
now come to an end. He owes his life to Sadao and Hana and is forever indebted to
them. Years later, he has been invited on a radio show as a war hero where he recounts
his tribulations and the experience of being granted a new life by a Japanese couple. As
Tom, write down that narration.
Ans. Ladies and gentlemen, it's an honor to be here today, sharing my story with all of you.
As I sit in this studio, I can't help but reflect on the incredible journey that brought me to this
very moment.
Years ago, in the midst of the war, I found myself wounded and stranded on a foreign shore.
Desperation filled my heart as I clung to the hope of survival. Little did I know that fate had
a different plan for me—a plan that involved two remarkable individuals who would forever
change the course of my life.

Sadao and Hana, a Japanese couple, took me into their home, treating my wounds and
nursing me back to health. Their compassion and selflessness were unmatched, as they
extended a lifeline to a stranger from a distant land. I owe them my life, and the debt I carry
in my heart can never be fully repaid.

Their love and care embraced me like a warm embrace, erasing the scars of war and
restoring my faith in humanity. Sadao, with his expertise as a skilled surgeon, mended my
broken body, while Hana, with her kind words and gentle touch, healed my wounded spirit.
Together, they showed me the true meaning of compassion and grace.

In the years that followed, the war came to an end, and I regained my strength. The horrors
of battle slowly faded away, replaced by deep gratitude for the life I had been given by this
extraordinary couple. I embarked on a mission to honor their kindness, vowing to share their
story and the power of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Today, as I sit here, I am overwhelmed with emotions, thinking about the countless lives that
have been touched by the love of Sadao and Hana. Their act of humanity transcends borders,
reminding us that compassion knows no boundaries.

In this moment, I am not just a war hero; I am a witness to the extraordinary capacity of the
human heart to heal, to forgive, and to rebuild. I am forever indebted to Sadao and Hana, and
their legacy will forever live on in the depths of my soul.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my story, honor the remarkable
individuals who saved my life, and inspire all of you to embrace the power of compassion
and love. May we strive to create a world where acts of kindness and selflessness prevail,
and where the bonds of humanity unite us all.

Q. No. 24) Both the general (The Enemy) and the Maharaja (The Tiger King), deal
with death. They are powerful figures confronted by a similar fate. You wish to include
both of these characters in an upcoming play. As a part of your research essay,
compare and contrast their experiences and their responses to these experiences in
120–150 words. [Clue: Include the similarities and differences of their circumstances -
their way of dealing with things - their ultimate fate]
Ans.
 Both of them face death, one owing to old age and disease while the other was
destined to die at the hands of the hundredth tiger he came across.
 The general, weak yet hopeful, turned to a doctor to cure him of his illness.
Anticipating that he would die, he went to the extent of keeping Sadao in the country
instead of letting him go to the war front like others. The king challenged death and
decided to kill a hundred tigers to ensure his safety.
 In order to protect Sadao from possible arrest because this would leave him without a
doctor, the general offered his personal assassins to murder Tom. The king decided to
marry a girl from a royal family whose kingdom had a healthy tiger population. Thus,
both of them took extreme measures for their safety, albeit differently.
 The king was careless and so self-absorbed that he did not kill the 100th tiger
properly, which eventually led him to be killed by a toy tiger instead. The general
behaved similarly because he was so preoccupied with his illness that he forgot to
send the assassins.
 However, this carelessness cost the king his life while the general recovered.