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Chapter Analysis
Advanced19 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
In 'The Enemy', Dr. Sadao, a Japanese surgeon, faces a moral dilemma during World War II when he finds an injured American soldier at his doorstep. Despite the intense pressure from his own community and the risk of being considered a traitor, Sadao's dedication to his profession compels him to save the man's life. The story explores themes of humanity, ethical decisions during war, and the conflict between professional duty and national loyalty.
Key Topics
- •Moral dilemmas and ethical decisions
- •Professional duty versus national loyalty
- •Humanity during wartime
- •Racial prejudice
- •Conflict between cultural identity and individual beliefs
- •Compassion and empathy in crisis
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the complexity of moral decisions in times of war.
- ✓Analyze character development and motivations.
- ✓Examine the impact of prejudice and racism in individual actions.
- ✓Discuss the conflict between professional ethics and national duty.
- ✓Evaluate the role of setting in enhancing thematic development.
Questions in Chapter
1. There are moments in life when we have to make hard choices between our roles as private individuals and as citizens with a sense of national loyalty. Discuss with reference to the story you have just read.
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2. Dr Sadao was compelled by his duty as a doctor to help the enemy soldier. What made Hana, his wife, sympathetic to him in the face of open defiance from the domestic staff?
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3. How would you explain the reluctance of the soldier to leave the shelter of the doctor’s home even when he knew he couldn’t stay there without risk to the doctor and himself?
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4. What explains the attitude of the General in the matter of the enemy soldier? Was it human consideration, lack of national loyalty, dereliction of duty or simply self-absorption?
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5. While hatred against a member of the enemy race is justifiable, especially during wartime, what makes a human being rise above narrow prejudices?
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6. Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the circumstances?
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7. Does the story remind you of ‘Birth’ by A. J. Cronin that you read in Snapshots last year? What are the similarities?
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8. Is there any film you have seen or novel you have read with a similar theme?
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Additional Practice Questions
What moral dilemma does Dr. Sadao face, and how does he resolve it?
hardAnswer: Dr. Sadao faces the dilemma of choosing between his duty as a doctor to save a human life and his national loyalty, which dictates he should turn the enemy soldier in as a prisoner. He resolves this by providing medical care privately and eventually helps the soldier escape.
Analyze the character of Hana and her transformation throughout the story.
mediumAnswer: Hana starts as a supportive but apprehensive wife, unsure of harboring an enemy. Through the story, she becomes more empathetic and actively participates in caring for the injured soldier, exhibiting growth in moral courage.
What role does the setting play in the development of the story’s themes?
mediumAnswer: The isolated beach setting amplifies the tension and moral isolation faced by the characters, highlighting the conflict between duty and morality against the backdrop of societal norms.
Discuss the significance of the General’s role in the story.
hardAnswer: The General represents the pragmatic yet self-serving nature of power, prioritizing personal benefit over national interest, and using his influence to secure his health above duty to the state.
How does the story explore the theme of prejudice?
mediumAnswer: The story explores prejudice through Sadao and Hana’s internal conflicts with aiding an enemy, juxtaposed with their experiences in America, which reflect racial discrimination and parallel their reluctance and eventual empathy towards the soldier.