NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Vistas) Chapter 4 The Enemy

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th

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Book : Vistas Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 4 English

Class : 12th

Subject : English

Chapter : 4

Chapter Name : The Enemy

Q1 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.

Answer. Yes there are many moments in life which baffle us between the hard choices in the
name of our country and what we are individually. Dr Sadao was a Japanese by nationality and
a surgeon by profession. When he encountered his enemy in a bad condition by health, he was
puzzled between what role should he play. Whether he should treat his enemy as a doctor or
leave him in his deteriorating condition as a stern Japanese who has a war going on with
America. But he had chosen to save his life as a doctor. This could be the most inspiring lesson
which preach us to be a human first than anyone else because we all are created by one God
without any differences , if any differences are evolved in the time they have entirely been
created by humans.

Q2 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?

Answer. Hana was a kind hearted lady. Dr Sadao, her husband was a doctor who saved his
enemy's life out of his duty to be loyal to his profession. But as far as Hana is concerned , her
act of generosity was entirely out of her sympathy for the person in pain. She was broad-minded
enough to prioritize her duty as a human being first than as a Japanese who should kill her
enemy in order to respect the war. Her act of humanity made her stand out and be that daring
heart who saved her enemy's life by putting her own life at stake. Even after the open defiance
by the domestic staff she chose to help the wounded soldier.

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Book : Vistas Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 4 English

Q3 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.

Answer. The doctor and his wife were kind hearted people who even choose to save their
enemy's life when their integrity for their home-country was at stake. This could have made that
soldier to believe in their humanitarian nature as they didn't care which country he belonged to
and still operated him. Soldier might have believed that if there are any chances of him being
alive, it is only possible in their home, as he was surrounded by enemies all around but the
doctor and his wife flourished as his saviours.

Q4 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?

Answer. The attitude of the General can't be clearly defined as it's still unlearned whether he
didn't send the assassins on purpose to save his enemy's life or really forgot to send them to kill
the enemy as he told to the doctor. According to me it was his human consideration under which
he chose not to kill the enemy but to rather help him escape the place to save his life. It was his
humanity that dominated his character than the position of the General in the opposing army.

Q5 While hatred against a member of the enemy race is justifiable, especially during wartime,
what makes a human being rise above narrow prejudice?

Answer. Being a soulful, generous and kind hearted person is a virtue that every human being
must follow. Hatred is never justifiable under any circumstances. Humans are only responsible
for evolving warlike situations that never brings happiness to anyone. Every human on earth
should neglect the differences based on race, caste , creed, affluency etc and focus on the

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Book : Vistas Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 4 English

matter of fact that we all are humans first, the children of the same God. This makes a human
being rise above narrow prejudice.

Q6 Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the
circumstances?

Answer. Yes, as a Doctor his final solution to help the enemy escape to a safer island was the
best possible one in the circumstances. He very well flourished out to be a kind doctor which
must be a priority for every doctor as they are considered next to God.

7. Does the story remind you of 'Birth' by A.J. Cronin that you read in Snapshots last year? What
are the similarities?

Answer. Yes, the story 'The Enemy' absolutely reminds of 'Birth' by A.J. Cronin. Both the stories
mention about Doctors who prioritize their duty of 'saving people's lives' over every other thing in
the world. While in 'Birth' the author mentions about a Doctor who saves an almost still born
baby from the wrath of death, 'The Enemy' encapsulates the generous and kind qualities of a Dr
who saves his enemy's life.

Q8 Is there any film you have seen or novel you have read with a similar theme?

Answer. There are many films which depict such strong qualities of generosity, kindness and
helpfulness in the protagonists of the story. Avengers, a film consisting of superheroes is the
best instance.

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Book : Vistas Ncert Solutions | Chapter - 4 English

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