Hana working hard on unaccustomed labour saw a messenger come to the door in official uniform. Her hands went weak
and she could not draw her breath. The servants must have told already.
1. Why is Hana working hard?
a) She is tired of serving the patient b) She is not a hard working woman
c) All the servants had left the job d) none of the above
2. Why the ‘messenger’ had come?
a) To arrest Sadao b) To check whether there is an enemy or not
c) To take Sadao, as General was in pain d) To help Hana at work.
3. Who is the author of the above mentioned lines?
a) Jack Finney b) Pearl S. Buck c) Susan Hill d) Colin Dexter.
Answers
1. Why is Hana working hard?
Ans: c) All the servants had left the job
2. Why the ‘messenger’ had come?
Ans: c) To take Sadao, as General was in pain
3. Who is the author of the above mentioned lines?
Ans: Pearl S. Buck
Explanation:
‘The Enemy’ by Pearl S Buck, is the story of a kind, considerate, and Japanese doctor, Sadao Hoki, who loved his profession more than anything else. His traditional father had taken great care of his upbringing and instilled in his mind that he had to be a great doctor and surgeon. He sent him to America at the age of 22 to learn medicine. He stayed there for 8 years and observed strict self-discipline. He met Hana, another Japanese girl there and fell in love with her. However, he waited until his father’s approval and married her only after the approval.
The main theme of the story deals with Sadao’s saving life of a POW belonging to an enemy country. Japan and America are engaged in a war at that time. The POW, Tom of American Navy, was washed up on a beach near Sadao’s house. Sadao sees him. He went to him for help. On finding him to be an American, he was confronted with a conflict. He did not want to save him as he was an enemy; but he could also not leave him on the beach to die, as he was a doctor bound by the obligations of Hippocratic Oath.
So he decided to save him. He succeeded in saving him. But his servants started protesting that the POW must be handed over to the police. Sadao decided to wait until his recovery. The servants resigned in protest.
In the afternoon, a soldier from the General’s office appeared on their door. Hana got panicky thinking the servants must have told the police about the POW. However, the soldier had come to take Sadao along to the General’s home because he was critically ill. Sadao had considerable influence on the General because of his healing skills. Sadao saved the General by operating him. There was some problem with his gall bladder.
When the General became well, Sadao shared the incident of POW with him. General reassured him of his help. He said to him that he would send his private assassins to his house and have him killed and have his body disposed of. But the assassins never came. Sadao waited for three days.
On the fourth night Sadao decided to help the POW escape to a safe island. He gave him a boat, provisions for a few days, and a torch for indicating for further help, in case he needed. He instructed him to get on to a Korean boat and then to an American base.
After a few days, he had to go to the General to examine him. He reminded him of his promise of sending his assassins. The general apologized to him for forgetting to send the assassins, and also begged him not to reveal his forgetfulness to anyone, as he could be in great trouble of being charged with treason.
Answer:
1. Why is Hana working hard?
Ans: c) All the servants had left the job
2. Why the ‘messenger’ had come?
Ans: c) To take Sadao, as General was in pain
3. Who is the author of the above mentioned lines?
Ans: Pearl S. Buck