**Summary:**

"The Enemy" is a short story included in the Class 12 English Vistas textbook published by NCERT. Written by Pearl S. Buck, this story revolves around a Chinese village during the Sino-Japanese War in the 1930s. It explores the themes of compassion, forgiveness, and the ability to see beyond cultural differences.

The story begins with the narrator, who is a doctor in a Chinese village. One day, an injured Japanese soldier is brought to his clinic by two Chinese men. The doctor is filled with hatred for the Japanese due to the atrocities committed by their army. However, he decides to treat the soldier, named Sadao, despite his internal conflict.

As the doctor takes care of Sadao, he discovers that the soldier is a skilled surgeon himself. Sadao's life is at risk if he is discovered by the Chinese villagers, who are hostile towards the Japanese. The doctor and his wife, Hana, hide Sadao in their home and provide him with food and shelter.

As time passes, the doctor's hatred towards the Japanese starts to fade away. He begins to see Sadao as a human being rather than an enemy. Meanwhile, Sadao's wounds heal, and he becomes a part of the doctor's household. The doctor's children also befriend Sadao.

Eventually, Sadao's presence becomes a threat to the doctor's safety. He contemplates killing Sadao to protect himself and his family. However, his conscience stops him from committing such an act. Instead, he helps Sadao escape by providing him with a boat to reach a nearby island.

**Question Answers:**

1. What is the central theme of the story "The Enemy"?

The central theme of "The Enemy" is the power of compassion and forgiveness. It highlights how humanity can transcend cultural differences and see the humanity in others, even in times of war and conflict.

2. How does the doctor's perspective change throughout the story?

Initially, the doctor harbors deep hatred towards the Japanese due to the atrocities committed by their army. However, as he treats and cares for Sadao, the injured Japanese soldier, his perspective gradually changes. He begins to see Sadao as a human being rather than an enemy, and his hatred starts to fade away.

3. Why does the doctor decide to hide and help Sadao?

The doctor decides to hide and help Sadao because he realizes that Sadao's life is at risk if he is discovered by the Chinese villagers. Despite his internal conflict, the doctor believes in his duty as a doctor to provide medical assistance to anyone in need, regardless of their nationality or background.

4. What internal conflict does the doctor face in the story?

The doctor faces an internal conflict between his deep-rooted hatred towards the Japanese and his sense of duty as a doctor. He struggles with his own prejudices and has to overcome them to provide care and shelter to Sadao.

5. How does the story "The Enemy" explore the theme of forgiveness?

"The Enemy" explores the theme of forgiveness by showcasing how the doctor's hatred towards the Japanese gradually transforms into compassion and understanding. The doctor's ability to forgive and see beyond cultural differences allows him to help Sadao and ultimately save his life.

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