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1. The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck
Introduction
 The Enemy is a short story by Pearl S. Buck, set in Japan during World War II.
 It explores themes of humanity vs. patriotism, prejudice, duty, and moral
dilemmas.
 The protagonist, Dr. Sadao Hoki, is a Japanese surgeon who faces an ethical conflict
when he finds and treats an injured American prisoner of war (POW).
 The story raises the question: Should personal morality override national loyalty in
times of war?
📖 Page-wise Detailed Breakdown
Page 24-25: Setting and Introduction to Dr. Sadao
 The story is set in Japan during World War II.
 Dr. Sadao’s house is located on the Japanese coast where he played as a child.
 His father was ambitious and focused on Japan’s future, which influenced Sadao’s
education.
 Sadao was sent to America at 22 to study medicine and surgery, returning at 30 as a
famous surgeon and scientist.
 He was not sent to war because:
1. His research on wound treatment was valuable.
2. The General of Japan might need surgery.
🔹 Important Questions:
✅ Who was Dr. Sadao? Why was he not sent to the battlefield?
Page 26-27: The Discovery of the Injured American
 Sadao and his wife Hana see something emerging from the mist on the beach.
 They rush to find a badly wounded white man—an American POW from the U.S.
Navy.
 The man has a gunshot wound in his lower back, reopened due to hitting the rocks.
 He is weak, unconscious, and bleeding profusely.
 They realize he escaped from captivity and was shot while fleeing.

2. 🔹 Important Questions:
✅ How did Dr. Sadao and Hana find the wounded soldier?
Page 28-29: The Moral Dilemma
 Sadao and Hana debate what to do:
o If they help him, they might be arrested as traitors.
o If they report him, he will die at the hands of the Japanese authorities.
o If they leave him, he will die on the shore.
 Hana hesitates, but Sadao, driven by his medical instincts, stops the bleeding.
 They carry the soldier into their house, justifying it as temporary until they decide
what to do.
🔹 Important Questions:
✅ Why did Dr. Sadao and Hana hesitate to help the wounded American?
✅ What does their hesitation reveal about their character?
Page 30-31: Resistance from the Servants
 The servants (Yumi, the cook, and the old gardener) are horrified that their
master is helping an American.
 Yumi refuses to wash the soldier, considering it unpatriotic.
 The gardener believes Sadao is interfering with fate, as nature had already decided
to kill the man.
 Hana is forced to wash him herself, despite her discomfort.
 Sadao realizes that the soldier will die without surgery.
🔹 Important Questions:
✅ Why did the servants oppose treating the American?
✅ Why did Hana wash the soldier despite her reluctance?
Page 32-34: The Operation
 Sadao operates on the soldier, removing the bullet near his kidney.
 Hana assists reluctantly and feels disgusted but overcomes her fear.
 Sadao reflects on his medical training in America, recalling his professor's words:
o "A surgeon must have complete knowledge of the human body, or it is
murder."
 Despite knowing the man is his enemy, he calls him "my friend" during surgery.
 The operation is successful, and the soldier survives.

3. 🔹 Important Questions:
✅ Why did Dr. Sadao operate on the soldier despite considering him an enemy?
Page 35-37: Conflict with the Servants
 The American soldier begins to recover.
 He is frightened when he realizes he is in an enemy’s home.
 The servants threaten to leave if Sadao continues to shelter him.
 They believe Sadao has become too Westernized after living in America.
 The servants leave the house in protest.
🔹 Important Questions:
✅ What was the reaction of the servants when they learned about the soldier?
Page 38-40: The Growing Risk
 Sadao is in a dangerous position:
o If the authorities find out, he will be arrested.
o If he helps the soldier escape, he is betraying Japan.
 Hana fears for their safety.
 A messenger arrives from the General, but it is only a request for Sadao to treat
him.
 Sadao decides he must get rid of the American for the sake of his family.
🔹 Important Questions:
✅ Why did Hana feel scared when the messenger arrived?
Page 41-43: The General’s Offer
 Sadao visits the General, who is sick and trusts only Sadao for surgery.
 The General suggests sending assassins to kill the soldier silently.
 Sadao agrees, hoping to remove himself from the situation.
 However, the assassins never arrive because the General forgets about it,
preoccupied with his own illness.
🔹 Important Questions:
✅ Why did the General want to protect Dr. Sadao?
✅ Why did the General’s plan fail?

4. Page 44-45: The Escape Plan
 Sadao decides to secretly help the soldier escape.
 He provides:
o A boat
o Food and water
o Warm clothing
o A flashlight for signals
 He instructs the soldier to wait for a Korean fishing boat to rescue him.
 The soldier gratefully leaves, using the flashlight for signals.
🔹 Important Questions:
✅ How did Dr. Sadao help the soldier escape?
Page 46-47: The Aftermath
 A week later, Sadao checks with the General, who apologizes for forgetting about
the assassins.
 The General ensures that Sadao will not be arrested.
 That night, Sadao checks the island, and the soldier is gone—he is safe.
 Sadao reflects on his experiences in America and wonders:
o Why didn’t I kill him?
 This final thought emphasizes the triumph of humanity over hatred.
🔹 Important Questions:
✅ Why didn’t Dr. Sadao report the escape of the soldier?
✅ What does Dr. Sadao’s final reflection mean?
🌍 Themes in The Enemy
1. Humanity vs. Patriotism – Sadao struggles between his duty as a doctor and his
loyalty to Japan.
2. Racism and Prejudice – The servants and society believe in racial superiority, but
Sadao overcomes it.
3. Moral Dilemma – Sadao’s internal conflict about whether to save or betray the
enemy.
4. War and Its Consequences – The story highlights the suffering and ethical
conflicts war creates.
5. Loyalty and Betrayal – Loyalty to one's country versus loyalty to one’s conscience
and profession.