The Enemy

1. Characters

● Dr. Sadao Hoki

o Adjectives: Compassionate, Skilled, Conflicted, Patriotic, Moral

o Character Sketch: Dr. Sadao Hoki is a Japanese surgeon who faces a moral dilemma when he discovers a wounded American soldier on his property. His dedication to his profession and humanity ultimately drives him to treat the soldier, even though it conflicts with his national loyalty.

● Hana (Sadao’s Wife)

o Adjectives: Loyal, Caring, Supportive, Ethical, Courageous

o Character Sketch: Hana is Dr. Sadao’s wife, who supports her husband despite her fears. Though initially reluctant, she assists in caring for the enemy soldier, showing her inner strength and commitment to her husband’s values.

● The American Soldier (Tom)

o Adjectives: Vulnerable, Grateful, Helpless, Resilient, Trusting

o Character Sketch: The American soldier, though unconscious and helpless, represents both the enemy and a fellow human in need. His presence triggers Sadao’s moral conflict, embodying the duality of human connections in war.

● The Servants

o Adjectives: Fearful, Traditional, Superstitious, Loyal, Prejudiced

o Character Sketch: The household servants, loyal to their country, oppose Sadao’s decision to help the enemy soldier. Their actions reflect the prevalent social beliefs and the fear of repercussions from aiding an enemy.

2. Central Theme and Subthemes

● Main Theme: Conflict between Duty and Humanity
The central theme is the moral conflict between duty to one’s country and duty to humanity. Dr. Sadao’s decision to help an enemy soldier reflects the complexities of loyalty and compassion.

● Subthemes:

o Patriotism and National Loyalty: The story explores the tension between national loyalty and personal ethics, as Dr. Sadao wrestles with the repercussions of aiding an American during wartime.

o Humanity over Prejudice: Sadao’s actions emphasize the idea of transcending racial, national, and political differences to serve humanity.

o Moral Dilemmas in Times of War: Dr. Sadao’s internal struggle represents the difficult choices individuals face when personal values clash with societal expectations during conflict.

o Fear and Suspicion: The servants’ reaction to the enemy soldier reflects the widespread fear, suspicion, and prejudice that often accompany war.

3. Relatively Tough Words with Meanings

● Superstitious: Belief in supernatural influences, often irrational or unfounded.

● Patriotism: Devotion to and support for one’s country.

● Dilemma: A situation in which a difficult choice must be made between two or more alternatives.

● Immaculate: Perfectly clean or free from flaws.

● Compunction: A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows an action.

● Repulsion: A strong feeling of dislike or disgust.

● Oath: A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behaviour.

● Fugitive: A person who has escaped from a place, often to avoid danger or persecution.

4. List of Good Expressions and Phrases for Answer Writing

● “Dr. Sadao’s unwavering dedication to his duty as a healer.”

● “A clash between patriotism and moral obligation.”

● “The enemy soldier represents both a threat and a vulnerable human.”

● “Sadao’s actions transcend racial and national boundaries.”

● “A complex web of duty, humanity, and fear.”

● “Hana’s inner turmoil as she assists her husband against her own fears.”

● “A wartime test of compassion and prejudice.”

● “The servants embody the traditional beliefs and fears of society.”

● “Sadao’s moral crisis reflects the complexities of war.”

● “Humanity prevails over enmity, but not without internal conflict.”

5. Use of Poetic Devices and Figures of Speech

● Symbolism:

o The Enemy Soldier: Symbolizes the dehumanization that war brings, reducing individuals to enemies or threats. Yet, he also embodies the shared vulnerability of all humans.

o The Sea: The sea acts as a symbol of inevitability, bringing the soldier to Sadao’s door and washing away preconceived notions of enmity and loyalty.

● Irony:

o Dr. Sadao, a patriotic Japanese citizen, ends up saving the life of an American soldier. This irony highlights the story’s central conflict and questions the nature of enmity and loyalty.

● Metaphor:

o The soldier as “the enemy” is a metaphor for the adversarial stance individuals take in war. Despite being “the enemy,” he becomes a patient in need, challenging Sadao’s beliefs.

● Juxtaposition:

o The contrast between Dr. Sadao’s compassionate nature and the rigid nationalist mind-set of the servants emphasizes the moral choices people face in wartime.

● Imagery:

o Descriptions of the wounded soldier, like “a ghost dragged from the sea,” create vivid imagery, adding to the emotional impact and urgency of Sadao’s moral choice.

● Simile:

o “Pale as death” describes the soldier’s vulnerable state, emphasizing his humanity rather than his role as an enemy.

Telegraphic Summary

1. Introduction and Background

● Setting and Background of Dr. Sadao’s Life:

o Dr. Sadao - Japanese surgeon - trained in America - patriotic yet compassionate - lives near the sea with his wife, Hana - tension of wartime Japan - hostility toward Americans.

● Discovery of the Enemy Soldier:

o One evening - finds wounded American soldier washed up on shore - instinct to help vs. patriotic duty - realizes soldier is an enemy - faces immediate moral dilemma.

2. Initial Dilemma and Decision to Help

● Conflicting Loyalties:

o Sadao torn - patriotic loyalty as a Japanese vs. duty as a doctor - considers letting soldier die - conscience won’t allow it - inner conflict grows.

● Decision to Save Soldier’s Life:

o Despite risks - Sadao decides to treat the soldier - Hana supports decision despite fear - both fully aware of consequences - humanity wins over prejudice.

3. Treatment and Secrecy

● Operating on the Enemy Soldier:

o Sadao operates on the soldier in his home - soldier critically injured - Hana assists reluctantly - experience tests her nerves and loyalty - saves soldier’s life, but tension remains.

● Growing Hostility from Servants:

o Servants discover soldier’s presence - loyal to Japan - feel helping the enemy is treason - refuse to work for Sadao - highlight tension and fear of punishment - symbolize traditional beliefs.

4. Sadao’s Continued Conflict and Fear of Discovery

● Secrecy and Paranoia:

o Sadao and Hana keep soldier hidden - fear of authorities discovering him - sense of paranoia grows - Sadao struggles between his values and potential consequences.

● Sadao’s Decision to Report:

o After soldier’s recovery - Sadao decides to report his presence to General - internal conflict sharpens - hopes General will handle it - conflicted emotions as he turns to authority.

5. General’s Proposal and Sadao’s Dilemma

● General’s Plan for Assassination:

o General promises to send assassins to kill soldier discreetly - Sadao conflicted but agrees - moral conflict intensifies - night after night, anxiously awaits assassins.

● Uncertainty and Delayed Action:

o Assassins don’t arrive - Sadao questions General’s intentions - unable to endure suspense - further highlights his inner turmoil and moral crisis.

6. Final Decision and Release of the Soldier

● Sadao’s Compassion Prevails:

o Realizes General will not act - moral obligation takes over - provides boat, supplies, and instructions to soldier - secretly helps him escape - risks life to preserve his ethics.

● Emotional Farewell and Relief:

o Watches soldier leave - relief mixed with fear - complex emotions as he upholds humanity over patriotism - knows he has acted with integrity.

7. Resolution and Reflection

● Return to Normalcy:

o Servants return after soldier’s departure - life resumes normalcy - Sadao left to reflect on choices - satisfaction of staying true to his values.

● Reflection on Humanity and Conflict:

o Realizes human life transcends enmity - war creates enemies but cannot erase shared humanity - reflects on moral courage - story concludes with Sadao’s sense of peace.

Master Passage

In The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck, the story explores themes of humanity, moral conflict, and patriotism. Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon, faces a dilemma when he discovers a wounded American soldier on the shore near his home during World War II. Although the soldier is an enemy, Dr. Sadao’s sense of duty as a doctor compels him to save the man’s life. This decision, however, puts him and his family at risk, as helping an enemy during wartime is seen as an act of treason. Sadao’s inner conflict between his loyalty to his country and his compassion for a fellow human deepens as he navigates pressures from society and his own conscience. Through this story, Buck highlights the triumph of humanity over prejudice, suggesting that true moral courage lies in recognizing our shared humanity, even amidst enmity and conflict.