Summary of "The Enemy" - NCERT Book - Class 12 English Vistas:

"The Enemy" is a short story written by Pearl S. Buck. It revolves around two soldiers, Dr. Sadao Hoki and Tom, during the time of World War II. Dr. Hoki is a Japanese surgeon who is torn between his duty towards his country and his moral obligations as a human being. Tom, an American prisoner of war, is injured and seeks refuge in Dr. Hoki's house. The story explores themes of war, humanity, and personal choices.

Key Points:
- The story is set in Japan during World War II.
- Dr. Sadao Hoki is a highly skilled surgeon who is loyal to his country but also values human life.
- Tom, an American prisoner of war, is washed ashore and is found by Dr. Hoki's servants.
- Dr. Hoki decides to help Tom despite the risk of being caught by the Japanese authorities.
- He operates on Tom and manages to save his life, hiding him in a cave near his home.
- Dr. Hoki's servant, Hana, discovers the truth about Tom and becomes suspicious of Dr. Hoki's actions.
- She confronts Dr. Hoki, but he convinces her to keep the secret for the sake of humanity.
- The Japanese authorities find out about Dr. Hoki's involvement with Tom but decide to spare him due to his valuable skills.
- Tom recovers and decides to leave Dr. Hoki's house, realizing the danger he poses to the family.
- Dr. Hoki and Tom part ways, acknowledging the complexity of their situation and the choices they have made.

Question Answers:
1. What is the setting of the story?
- The story is set in Japan during World War II.

2. Who are the main characters in the story?
- The main characters are Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon, and Tom, an American prisoner of war.

3. Why does Dr. Hoki decide to help Tom?
- Despite his loyalty to his country, Dr. Hoki values human life and cannot ignore someone in need of medical assistance.

4. What risks does Dr. Hoki face by helping Tom?
- By helping Tom, Dr. Hoki risks being caught by the Japanese authorities and facing severe consequences.

5. How does the story explore the theme of humanity?
- The story highlights the moral dilemmas faced by individuals during times of war and how they navigate their personal choices.

6. What happens to Tom and Dr. Hoki at the end of the story?
- Tom decides to leave Dr. Hoki's house to ensure the safety of his family and acknowledges the complexity of their situation.

Overall, "The Enemy" is a thought-provoking story that raises questions about the nature of war, loyalty, and humanity. It showcases the internal struggles faced by individuals when their personal values clash with societal expectations.