1. Unit at a glance
- The unit contains only the prose story “The Enemy” by Pearl S. Buck (no poem).
- It is set during World War II on the Japanese coast.
- Central conflict: a Japanese surgeon and his wife discover a wounded American prisoner of war.
- Explores the clash between duty as a doctor and loyalty to one’s country.
- Highlights human compassion versus wartime prejudice and social pressure.
- Ends with the doctor secretly helping the prisoner escape.
2. Prose
Summary
Dr Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon educated in America, finds a wounded American sailor washed ashore near his house. Despite being the enemy, Sadao operates on him to save his life. His wife Hana helps, but the servants refuse and leave. Sadao seeks advice from the General, who offers to send assassins. Unable to go through with the killing, Sadao instead helps the young American escape to a nearby island with food and a boat.
Setting
A stone house on a lonely, rocky stretch of the Japanese coast during World War II, with a narrow beach and pine trees; the action also moves inside the house (especially the unused bedroom of Sadao’s father) and briefly to the General’s palace.
Main characters
- Dr Sadao Hoki: A famous Japanese surgeon and scientist trained in America who feels bound by his medical oath.
- Hana: Sadao’s wife, also educated in America; she supports him but is anxious about their position and the servants.
- The American prisoner (Tom): A young, wounded U.S. Navy sailor who escapes and is rescued by Sadao.
- The old General: Sadao’s patient; he promises to eliminate the prisoner but forgets due to self-absorption.
- The servants (Yumi, the gardener, the cook): Traditional Japanese staff who oppose helping the enemy and eventually leave.
Sequence of key events
- Sadao and Hana see the wounded white man on the beach and carry him inside.
- Servants refuse to touch him; Hana washes him; Sadao operates and removes the bullet.
- Servants leave in protest; Hana manages the house alone.
- Sadao informs the General, who offers assassins but later forgets.
- Sadao hides the American until he is strong enough, then provides a boat and supplies for escape to a nearby island.
- The American signals safety; servants return; Sadao realises he could not bring himself to kill the man.
3. Poem
No poem is included in this unit.
4. Themes and messages
The story shows that professional duty and basic humanity can override national hatred. Sadao states, “I have been trained not to let a man die if I can help it,” even though “All Americans are my enemy.” It also questions blind patriotism when it conflicts with moral responsibility.
5. Literary devices
- Imagery: “The sand on one side of him had already a stain of red soaking through.”
- Simile: “He was very light, like a fowl that had been half-starved for a long time.”
- Irony: The doctor saves the life of an enemy soldier while his own country is at war with that soldier’s nation.
- Personification: “the sea caught him and wounded him with her rocks.”
- Metaphor: The islands are called “stepping stones to the future for Japan.”
6. Vocabulary
- haori: loose outer garment worn over a kimono
- stanch: stop the flow of blood
- tokonoma: alcove for displaying art
- anaesthetic: substance that causes loss of feeling
- hypodermic: injection under the skin
- dereliction: neglect of duty
- assuage: relieve or soothe
- pallor: unnatural paleness
- repulsion: strong feeling of disgust
- indispensable: absolutely necessary
7. Exam pitfalls
- Claiming Sadao hands the man over to the police (he does not).
- Forgetting that the servants leave because they disapprove, not because they are dismissed.
- Stating the General sends assassins (he only offers; they never arrive).
- Mixing up the ending: the prisoner escapes by boat, not by being killed.
- Ignoring Hana’s fear and her decision to wash the man herself.