THE ENEMY BY BUCK INTRODUCTION, THEMES, CHARACTER SKETCH, VALUE POINTS-CLASS XII ENGLISH CBSE

  INTRODUCTION

- Story is set during World War II
- Japan is fighting America
- It is a story of conflict between fellow-feeling and loyalty which is shown through the situation between Tom, the American prisoner and the Japanese couple, Dr. Sadao and Hana

Theme

The story de-glorifies war and sets fellow feelings as against national loyalty. It proves that humanity is above Patriotism and therefore indirectly condemns war. It also illustrates the conflict of a person who has to make difficult choices.

Characterization of Sadao
- A dedicated surgeon and doctor
- A nice human being
- Full of fellow, feeling, kindness for people in distress
- Sadao undergoes a conflict due to the prisoner's identity - Tom is an American
- Sadao is afraid of being called a traitor
- He is also prejudiced against the white man
- His goodness win in the end as he removes the bullet
- Risked his own life by sheltering an enemy.
- He is loyal to his country as well - informs the General
- The General agrees to have the prisoner killed by private assassins
- Undergoes conflict again-spends three restless nights
- Overcomes conflict- decides to help the white man escape
- Helps the soldier escape
- Couldn't understand why he saved the prisoner

Character Sketch of Hana
- A balanced woman
- Affectionate
- Responsible - she washes the prisoner and treats him respectfully
- Dignified and graceful about servants leaving the house
- Kind and sympathetic towards the soldier
- Obeyed Sadao and helped him in carrying out the operation
- Maintains her calm, though she is extremely tense and fearful
- Becomes an anesthetist when the need arises
- Is a true human being

The American Soldier- Tom
- Flung out of the ocean
- A prisoner of war-hardly 17
- Escaped but was shot at the back
- Suffered torture and hunger
- Wounded, bleeding, was in great pain, lay unconscious
- Needed medical aid
- Had strong will power
- At first he is afraid - later feels secure in the house of Japanese couple
- Full of gratitude towards Dr. Sadao

How Sadao and Hana help the soldier
- Sadao packed the wound with sea moss to stop bleeding
- Together both lifted the prisoner and laid him on a deeply matted floor of their father's bedroom
- Hana washed his wounds with steaming hot water
- Sadao operated on his body, pulled the bullet out
- Hana helped Sadao with anesthesia
- Both took care of his weak body
- Hana fed him with her own hands
- Later towards the end of the story help the prisoner to escape

Reaction of servants
- The servants did not like the idea of helping an enemy
- Yumi refused to wash a white man
- The gardener felt that Sadao should have allowed the soldier to die
- He said the sea and the gun would take revenge if Sadao saved the soldier
- The cook said that Sadao was proud of his skill and used it irresponsibly
- They left the house when the American prisoner was treated and nursed by Sadao and Hana

The General
- Selfish- thought of his own treatment
- Did not think of anyone else except himself
- A ruthless general-has private assassins
- Promised to send his assassins to kill and remove the body of the soldier
- Doesn't want the doctor to be arrested because he needs him
- Had faith in Sadao's skills as a doctor
- Careless - forgot to send assassins

How Sadao helps the American soldier escape
- Sadao put his boat with food and extra clothing
- Asked the soldier to row to an uninhabited island nearby
- Asked him to wait for a Korean fishing boat on the island
- Told him that he could catch fish but eat it raw
- Gave him his flashlight.
- Asked the soldier to signal him two flashes if his food ran out and one flash if he was alright
- Sadao gave him Japanese clothes and covered his hair with a black cloth