NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 4 – The Enemy | Pearl S. Buck
The Enemy is a compelling short story by the celebrated American author Pearl S. Buck, included in the NCERT Class 12 English Vistas textbook. Set during World War II in Japan, the story raises timeless questions about duty, conscience, and humanity. It follows a Japanese doctor, Dr. Sadao Hoki, who discovers an injured American prisoner of war on his beach — a man who is technically his enemy — and must choose between patriotism and his medical oath. Check out NCERT Solutions for Class 12 and NCERT solutions for Class 12 English, NCERT solutions for Class 10 English-Vistas.
Find the PDF of NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 4 – The Enemy | Pearl S. Buck
Chapter Overview at a Glance
Detail | Information |
|---|---|
Author | Pearl S. Buck |
Textbook | NCERT Vistas – Class 12 English (Supplementary Reader) |
Chapter Number | 4 |
Genre | Short Story / War Fiction |
Setting | Japan during World War II |
Narrative Perspective | Third-person limited (focuses on Dr. Sadao) |
Central Conflict | Moral duty vs. national loyalty |
Original Language | English |
Key Characters in The Enemy
Character | Role | Key Traits |
|---|---|---|
Dr. Sadao Hoki | Protagonist | Skilled surgeon, principled, torn between duty and humanity |
Hana | Dr. Sadao's wife | Loyal, compassionate, supports her husband despite personal fears |
Tom (the American soldier) | The "enemy" | Young, wounded, vulnerable; represents universal humanity |
The General | Secondary character | Powerful, pragmatic; promises to handle the situation but fails to act |
The Servants | Supporting characters | Represent social prejudice; they leave in moral protest |
Summary of The Enemy – Chapter 4 Vistas
Dr. Sadao Hoki, a prominent surgeon who studied medicine in America, lives with his wife Hana near the sea in Japan. One stormy night, they discover an unconscious American soldier washed ashore. The man is gravely wounded with a bullet still lodged near his spine. Despite knowing the soldier is a prisoner of war and that sheltering him is an act of treason, Sadao's medical instinct takes over. He operates on him and saves his life.
Hana assists during the procedure even though she is frightened. The household servants, however, are outraged by the presence of an American in the house and eventually leave. Sadao reports the matter to the General, whom he serves as a personal physician. The General promises to send men to deal with the situation quietly, but days pass and no assassins come. Sadao, relieved, eventually arranges for Tom's escape by providing him with a boat, food, and directions to an island where he can signal a passing submarine.
At the end, the General confesses he simply forgot to send his men. The story closes on a note of quiet irony and moral reflection — Sadao wonders why he could not bring himself to kill the enemy, even when given every reason to do so.
Major Themes Explored in The Enemy
Humanity Above Nationalism: The central theme is that the instinct to preserve human life transcends political and national boundaries. Sadao's act of saving Tom is a deeply human response to suffering.
The Doctor's Oath vs. National Duty: Pearl S. Buck presents a moral dilemma — should a doctor serve humanity first, or the state? Sadao chooses the Hippocratic oath over patriotism.
War and Its Dehumanising Effect: The story criticises how war forces individuals to label others as "enemies," stripping them of their shared humanity.
Moral Courage: Both Sadao and Hana demonstrate courage by doing what is right despite social, political, and personal consequences.
Racial Prejudice: The servants' departure underscores how ordinary people can become vehicles of prejudice during war.
Important NCERT Questions & Answers – Chapter 4 The Enemy
Q1. Why did the servants leave Dr. Sadao's house?
The servants were loyal Japanese citizens who viewed the presence of an American soldier as a betrayal of their country. They considered it morally wrong to help an enemy of Japan and left in protest, refusing to participate in what they saw as an act of treason.
Q2. How did Dr. Sadao manage to get rid of the American soldier?
After the General failed to act, Sadao arranged for the American soldier to escape safely. He provided Tom with a small boat stocked with food and extra clothing, and gave him directions to reach a nearby island. From there, Tom could signal an American submarine and return to his own people. Sadao also left a flashlight on the beach as a signal.
Q3. What was the General's attitude towards the American prisoner?
The General's attitude was entirely pragmatic. He was not moved by any moral concern for the prisoner. He suggested sending private assassins to dispose of the soldier discreetly so that Sadao would not be compromised. However, his own illness and preoccupations caused him to forget his promise entirely, revealing how indifferently he treated the life of an individual.
Q4. Was Sadao a patriotic Japanese or a dedicated doctor? Discuss.
Sadao was both — but when the two identities clashed, the doctor in him prevailed. He reported the matter to the authorities (an act of patriotism) but could not bring himself to let a patient die. His actions show that professional ethics and human compassion, at their deepest level, can override political allegiance. Pearl S. Buck suggests this is not a weakness but a mark of true civilisation.
Literary Devices Used in The Enemy
Device | Example / Usage in the Story |
|---|---|
Irony | The "enemy" turns out to be a vulnerable human being that Sadao cannot harm |
Symbolism | The sea represents both danger and freedom; the boat symbolises escape and hope |
Conflict | Internal conflict in Sadao — duty vs. conscience — drives the entire narrative |
Foreshadowing | The stormy night sets the tone for the moral storm Sadao is about to face |
Characterisation | Sadao is developed through action and thought, not just dialogu |
FAQs –for NCERT Solutions Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 4 – The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck
Dr. Sadao helps the wounded American soldier because he is a trained doctor who believes in saving lives regardless of nationality. Despite Japan being at war with America, his medical ethics compel him to treat the injured man. He struggles between his duty to his country and his professional responsibility. His compassionate nature and humanitarian values win over national hatred. His wife Hana also supports him morally. The situation creates internal conflict, but ultimately, Sadao chooses humanity over politics, showing that human life is more important than war or political enmity.
Sadao faces a deep moral conflict between his duty as a Japanese citizen and his role as a doctor. As a citizen, he is expected to hand over the enemy soldier to authorities. However, as a doctor, he is committed to saving lives without discrimination. This dual responsibility creates emotional tension for him and his family. He fears punishment but cannot ignore his conscience. The story highlights how war complicates moral decisions and shows that ethical responsibility sometimes demands courage to act against societal expectations.
The central theme of the story is humanity versus national loyalty. It explores how compassion can rise above political conflicts and wartime hatred. Dr. Sadao’s decision to save an enemy soldier shows that human life is more valuable than national boundaries. The story also reflects moral courage, inner conflict, and ethical responsibility. It suggests that true professionalism and humanity require individuals to act with empathy even in difficult circumstances. The narrative challenges the idea of enemies by showing that kindness can exist even between opposing sides during war.