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    The Enemy - Notes

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    Manraj Singh
    The document provides background on a story set during World War II where a Japanese doctor named Dr. Sadao Hoki must decide whether to operate on an injured American prisoner of war. Hoki and his wife Hana believe in humanity over nationalism and end up saving the American soldier's life, creating a dilemma over whether to turn him into the authorities. The chapter explores themes of humanity transcending patriotism through Hoki and Hana's actions and the responses of others to their decision.

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    The Enemy - Notes

    Uploaded by

    Manraj Singh
    60 views2 pages
    The document provides background on a story set during World War II where a Japanese doctor named Dr. Sadao Hoki must decide whether to operate on an injured American prisoner of war. Hoki and his wife Hana believe in humanity over nationalism and end up saving the American soldier's life, creating a dilemma over whether to turn him into the authorities. The chapter explores themes of humanity transcending patriotism through Hoki and Hana's actions and the responses of others to their decision.

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    The Enemy- Notes

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    The document provides background on a story set during World War II where a Japanese doctor named Dr. Sadao Hoki must decide whether to operate on an injured American prisoner of war. Hoki and his wife Hana believe in humanity over nationalism and end up saving the American soldier's life, creating a dilemma over whether to turn him into the authorities. The chapter explores themes of humanity transcending patriotism through Hoki and Hana's actions and the responses of others to their decision.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    60 views2 pages

    The Enemy - Notes

    Uploaded by

    Manraj Singh
    The document provides background on a story set during World War II where a Japanese doctor named Dr. Sadao Hoki must decide whether to operate on an injured American prisoner of war. Hoki and his wife Hana believe in humanity over nationalism and end up saving the American soldier's life, creating a dilemma over whether to turn him into the authorities. The chapter explores themes of humanity transcending patriotism through Hoki and Hana's actions and the responses of others to their decision.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 2

    THE ENEMY: NOTES

    Background: The chapter is set against the backdrop of the Second World War where Japan is
    fighting America. Each nation considers the other 'enemy' and is bound by the narrow construct
    of patriotism. Should humanity be the driving force in our life or patriotism?

    Theme: Humanity transcends the narrow construct of nationalism and patriotism, rising above
    all prejudices and biased towards the 'other'. The story advocates the message of peace, humanity
    and empathy towards one another.

    Dr Sadao Hoki is a patriotic Japanese doctor who firmly believes in nationalism and has strong
    cultural values. His father's memory, the manner in which he accepts Hanna and the strong
    emphasis on custom and culture is visible in the chapter.

    It is through Hana’s perspective that we get to see the American prisoner of war in a sympathetic
    light. From the enemy to being transformed to a victim who has fallen prey to the cruel hardships
    of the war, it is Hana who makes the connection apparent by noticing his scars and nursing him.

    American Experience: does not like the doctor who extends his hospitality towards him, is only
    there to learn how to perform surgery.
    Both their American training make them believe in the value of life.To Hoki, a patient is a
    patient irrespective of the nation he belongs to. His expertly trained hands move off their own
    accord to save the American prisoner.

    Dilemma: Should Hoki operate on the American prisoner of war or not?


    Once the American is saved, do they turn him over to the Japanese authorities as they should or
    do they continue to harbour him?
    The conflict and the struggle of saving Tom is reflected through many instances in the chapter-
    Dr Hoki refusing to know the American’s name, conversations between both Sadao and Hana,
    their dislike for TOm even while restoring him to health.

    Response of the Servants (Old Gardener, Yumi- the nurse and the Cook): Reluctant to help
    their masters, talk behind the Hoki's backs, desert the family when they see that the American
    prisoner of war is yet to be turned to the authorities. Even though they have been serving the
    family for a long time, they are clearly united in their decision to leave the household and
    suggest that the family would be considered traitors if the prisoner is not handed over to the
    authorities.

    Tom is the American who is saved by the doctor. A young soldier, the marks on his body tell the
    story of torture that he has probably already faced. Is worried initially about being saved by a
    Japanese couple but gradually begins trusting them.
    General Takima: self-absorbed, selfish, cruel, wants Hoki to combine German ruthlessness with
    American sentimentality, only saves Hoki because of his own vested interests, forgets to send the
    assassins, is indebted to Hoki on account of his mistake

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