The Enemy (Pearl S. Buck) — NCERT Solutions

Given/Context: The story is set during World War II, a time when hatred between nations — particularly between Japan and America — was at its peak. Yet Dr Sadao saves an American soldier's life.

What makes a human being rise above narrow prejudices:

1. Education and rational thinking: Sadao's years of medical training in America gave him a broader perspective. He had lived among Americans, understood them as human beings, and could not reduce them to mere enemies. Education cultivates empathy and the ability to see beyond stereotypes.

2. Professional ethics: A doctor's oath to preserve life is universal and does not distinguish between friend and foe. Sadao's medical training instilled in him a duty that transcended national boundaries: "A doctor cannot let a man die if he can help it."

3. Innate human compassion: At the core of every human being is the capacity for empathy. When Sadao and Hana saw a young, wounded, helpless man — not a soldier, not an enemy, but a suffering human — their natural compassion was awakened.

4. Moral courage: Rising above prejudice requires courage — the courage to do what is right even when it is dangerous. Sadao risked his freedom and life to save the soldier.

5. Recognition of shared humanity: The story suggests that beneath all differences of race, nationality, and ideology, human beings share a common humanity. It is this recognition that allows individuals like Sadao to act with decency.

Conclusion: Hatred may be a natural wartime emotion, but what elevates human beings above it is a combination of education, professional ethics, innate compassion, moral courage, and the recognition that all human life has inherent value. The story celebrates this capacity for humanity even in the darkest of times.

Given/Context: Dr Sadao's final solution was to secretly arrange for the American soldier's escape — he dragged a boat to the shore, stocked it with food, water, quilts, and a flashlight, and directed the soldier to row to a nearby uninhabited island where he could wait for a Korean fishing boat to rescue him.

Analysis — Was it the best possible solution?

Arguments in favour (Yes, it was the best solution):

1. It preserved the soldier's life: The primary goal — saving the man — was achieved. The soldier was given a real chance of survival and eventual rescue.

2. It protected Sadao and his family: By removing the soldier from his house, Sadao eliminated the immediate danger of arrest and punishment for himself, Hana, and their children.

3. It avoided direct betrayal: Handing the soldier over to the military would have meant certain death for him. Sadao could not bring himself to do that after saving his life.

4. It was practical and carefully planned: Sadao chose a moonless night, bought supplies secretly, and gave the soldier clear instructions — showing thoughtful execution.

5. It was morally consistent: The solution allowed Sadao to honour both his duty as a doctor (saving life) and his responsibility to his family (removing the danger).

Possible limitations:

• The soldier's escape was not guaranteed; the sea journey and wait on the island were risky.
• Sadao still technically harboured an enemy soldier, which could have had consequences.

Conclusion: Yes, given the extraordinary circumstances — wartime Japan, the risk of arrest, the soldier's need for safety — Sadao's solution was the most humane, practical, and morally sound option available. It was a solution that balanced compassion with pragmatism.

Given/Context: 'Birth' by A. J. Cronin (from the Snapshots textbook, Class 11) is the story of Dr Andrew Manson, a young doctor who saves the life of a newborn baby that appears to be stillborn, through sheer determination and medical skill. 'The Enemy' by Pearl S. Buck features Dr Sadao Hoki, who saves the life of a wounded enemy soldier.

Similarities between the two stories:

1. Central theme — a doctor's duty: Both stories revolve around a doctor who is compelled by professional duty and human compassion to save a life, regardless of the circumstances. In both cases, the doctor goes beyond what is expected or convenient.

2. Life-saving surgery/medical intervention: In 'Birth', Dr Manson performs an emergency resuscitation on the newborn. In 'The Enemy', Dr Sadao performs a surgical operation to remove a bullet and save the soldier. Both involve skilled, urgent medical action.

3. Conflict between personal feelings and professional duty: Dr Manson is exhausted and emotionally drained when called to attend the birth, yet he does his duty. Dr Sadao does not want the enemy soldier to live — "certainly I do not want this man to live" — yet his hands work to save him. Both doctors overcome personal feelings in the service of their profession.

4. The triumph of humanity: Both stories celebrate the idea that the instinct to preserve human life is stronger than personal inconvenience, exhaustion, or even national enmity.

5. Moral and ethical dimensions: Both stories raise questions about what it means to be a good doctor and a good human being.

Conclusion: Yes, the two stories share a deep thematic connection — both are tributes to the medical profession and to the universal human value of compassion. They show that a true doctor sees only a patient in need, not a social, political, or personal obstacle.

Note: This is an open-ended, personal response question. Students are expected to draw on their own reading or viewing experience. A model answer is provided below.

Sample Answer:

Yes, the theme of 'The Enemy' — where compassion and humanity triumph over hatred and war — is found in several well-known works.

Novel: 'The Diary of a Young Girl' by Anne Frank
This autobiographical account of a Jewish girl hiding from the Nazis during World War II explores similar themes of humanity in the face of hatred. The people who sheltered Anne Frank risked their lives to protect an 'enemy' in the eyes of the Nazi regime, just as Dr Sadao risked his life to protect an American soldier.

Film: 'Schindler's List' (1993, directed by Steven Spielberg)
This film tells the story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of over a thousand Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. Like Dr Sadao, Schindler began with self-interest but was ultimately moved by compassion to risk everything to save lives. The film powerfully depicts how one individual's humanity can rise above the brutality of war and prejudice.

Film: 'Life is Beautiful' (1997, directed by Roberto Benigni)
This Italian film set in a Nazi concentration camp shows how love and the human spirit can survive even in the most dehumanising circumstances.

Conclusion: These works, like 'The Enemy', affirm that war brings out both the worst and the best in human beings, and that compassion, courage, and the recognition of shared humanity are the highest values a person can embody.