The Enemy Class 12 Notes: CBSE English Vistas Chapter 4

About the Author

The author of Class 12 English Chapter "The Enemy" is Pearl Comfort Sydenstricker Buck, well known as Pearl S. Buck. She was an American writer and novelist. She was the first American woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Buck also spent part of her life helping people. Some of her famous books include "Peasant Life in China" and "The Good Earth."

About the Story/ Synopsis of the Story:

The Chapter “The Enemy” is about Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese doctor during World War II. He lives on the Japanese coast with his wife. The story takes place during the war between Japan and the US. One day, Dr. Sadao finds an injured American soldier near the coast. The man is an American soldier, so he is "the enemy." This puts Dr. Sadao in a tough situation, as helping the enemy could get him into serious trouble with the authorities. The story explores Dr. Sadao's struggle between his duty as a doctor to save lives and his loyalty to his country during wartime.

Theme of the story “The Enemy”

The theme of the story "The Enemy" in Class 12 English is about humanity and compassion versus loyalty to one's country. The chapter shows different ways people handle tough situations and their humanity. It explores whether a person should follow their moral values or do what is expected. Should someone listen to their brain or their heart at that moment? The story highlights the moral conflict of choosing between doing what is right as a human being and following one's patriotic duties.

Character Sketches:

Dr. Sadao Hoki: He is a caring and thoughtful man who prioritises humanity and his professional duties over national interests. Dr. Sadao feels a strong emotional bond with the American man because he had studied in America for several years. He deeply respects his profession and values every person's life. Dr. Sadao is highly knowledgeable and skilled in his field, excelling in everything he does.

Hana: She is a loving and supportive wife to Dr. Sadao, standing by him during his difficult times and respecting his choices. Even though the man is an enemy, she shows great compassion, caring for him and helping him for his speedy recovery. She is skilled in her profession and a genuinely kind and empathetic person, known for her warmth and compassion.

Yumi: Yumi was kind and respectful towards Dr. Sadao and his wife, treating them well and caring for their children as her own. However, she is not empathetic. Yumi couldn't digest the fact that Dr. Sadao and his wife were helping a white man (American soldier), so she left along with the other servants. Despite being loyal and dedicated, she couldn't act as a great human in that situation. Her actions and words showed her strong patriotism, prioritising the national interests of her country over her personal morals.

Tom: Tom, an American soldier wounded in the war, was beaten by the Japanese army but escaped from them to save himself. He was grateful and didn't harm Dr. Sadao and his family. Tom expressed his thanks for their care and treatment, inspiring kindness and promoting humanity.

General Takima: General Takima was a strict and scary leader who would do anything to protect his country. But he also had a soft spot for Dr. Sadao. He was a bit selfish because he didn't want to lose Dr. Sadao, the only person he trusted completely. The General knew that if Dr. Sadao was caught by the soldiers for helping an enemy, he would have to leave the country, which would be dangerous for him. Because of his selfish reasons, the General was willing to let the enemy go back to his own country.

Class 12 English Chapter 4 The Enemy Summary

• Dr. Sadao’s house was near the Japanese coast, where he grew up playing along the shore with his father.

• At the age of 22, he went to America to study surgery and medicine and returned back to Japan when he was 30. After becoming a successful surgeon and scientist, his father passed away.

• Dr. Sadao stayed in Japan to work on a new way to heal wounds. The old general in the Japanese army might also need his help at any point of time.

• The story introduces Dr. Sadao’s wife, Hana, whom he met in America and fell in love with because she was Japanese.

• While Dr. Sadao and his wife were spending time together near the seashore. They saw a man come out of the fog and found him fallen on the ground.

• Dr. Sadao realised the man had been shot by a bullet and his wounds were not treated. They saw he was a white man, likely from the US Navy, who had escaped from Japanese capture and was tortured.

• Dr. Sadao tried to stop the bleeding, and they decided to take the man back to their house to help him.

• They carried the man to an empty bedroom. Hana wanted to ask the servants to clean him, but they refused because he was an enemy. So Hana herself cleaned the man, and Dr. Sadao operated on him, saving his life. The servants were upset and left, thinking Dr. Sadao and Hana were less loyal to Japan.

• As the man recovered, Dr. Sadao decided to tell the general about him. The general planned to send men to kill the enemy.

• Dr. Sadao told him to set the man free because he had been good to them, and it didn’t feel right to kill someone he had treated.

• Dr. Sadao arranged a boat with all the required things and helped the man to escape silently at night. The man reached a Korean boat and was set free for the rest of his life.

Important points of Class 12 Chapter 4 The Enemy

• The story is set in Japan during World War II. The Main characters are Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese doctor, and his wife, Hana.

• Dr. Sadao studied surgery in America and returned to Japan to help the General and continue his research.

• Dr. Sadao finds an injured American soldier washed up on the shore near his house. Despite being an enemy, he decides to help the soldier.

• Dr. Sadao operates on the soldier and saves his life, hiding him in their home.

• Dr. Sadao decides to help the soldier escape instead. He arranges a boat for the soldier and gives him all the supplies he needs to escape safely.

• Read the complete story to know how Dr. Sadao shows his compassion and humanity despite the risks.

Importance of The Enemy Notes Class 12 English Chapter 4

• Revision notes summarise the chapter, saving time during revision by highlighting the main points.

• They highlight key themes and concepts, making it easier to understand and remember the importance of the chapter.

• The Enemy Notes shows the importance of kindness and helping others, even during war.

• The story highlights the tough choices people must make between their duties and their morals.

• The Enemy Summary helps students to quickly review the important points before exams, ensuring students are well-prepared.

• The Enemy Class 12 Notes PDF covers the entire syllabus, ensuring that every topic is included and the chapter is fully understood.

Tips for Learning the Class 12 English Chapter 4 The Enemy

• Focus on the main characters, Dr. Sadao and Hana, and their actions and feelings.

• Understand the main themes like humanity, moral dilemmas, and compassion.

• Mark or underline important lines and paragraphs that show key events or character development.

• Compare themes and characters with stories or real-life situations to deepen your understanding.

• Consider how the story’s themes apply to real-life situations to make it more relatable and memorable.

Conclusion

Class 12 English Chapter 4, "The Enemy", explores the complexities of humanity during wartime. Despite being enemies, Dr. Sadao Hoki’s decision to help an injured American soldier highlights themes of compassion and moral values. The story shows how personal integrity and compassion sometimes conflict with national loyalty. Dr. Sadao’s decision to save the soldier’s life and help him escape reflects the importance of empathy and ethical decision-making, even in difficult circumstances. The Enemy Summary encourages us to consider the deeper implications of our actions and the values we prioritise in challenging times.

Related Study Materials for Class 12 English Chapter 4 The Enemy

Chapter-wise Vistas Revision Notes for Class 12 English

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