CBSE Class 12 English: The Enemy NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 12 English, Chapter 3, "The Enemy." It delves into the complex moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon, who finds an American prisoner of war washed ashore. The solutions explore Dr. Sadao's internal conflict between his duty as a doctor and his loyalty as a citizen, especially when faced with the choice of saving an enemy's life or adhering to national obligations. Key aspects covered include the characters' reactions, the difficult decisions made, and the underlying themes of humanity, compassion, and the impact of war on personal relationships. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story and prepare effectively for their examinations.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 12
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	3. The Enemy

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for "The Enemy" (Chapter 3) for Class 12 English focus on the profound ethical conflict experienced by Dr. Sadao Hoki. The solutions analyze his decision to treat a wounded American prisoner of war, exploring the tension between his professional duty and his national loyalty during wartime. They cover the reactions of his household staff and his wife, Hana, highlighting the societal pressures and personal risks involved. The exercises guide students to understand the story's themes of humanity transcending enmity and the difficult choices individuals face in extraordinary circumstances.

Learning outcomes

Understand the central conflict between personal conscience and national duty in "The Enemy."
Analyze Dr. Sadao's character and his moral choices.
Explain the role of Hana and the servants in the narrative.
Discuss the theme of humanity overcoming enmity.
Identify the impact of war on individual lives and decisions.
Interpret the story's resolution and its implications.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Dr. Sadao Hoki's character
Moral dilemma
Duty as a doctor vs. national loyalty
The concept of 'enemy'
Humanity and compassion
Impact of war
Hana's role
Servants' reactions
Ethical choices
Story resolution

Important topics

Dr. Sadao's moral dilemma
The conflict between duty and loyalty
Theme of humanity transcending enmity
Character analysis of Dr. Sadao and Hana
The impact of war on personal choices

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Questions and Solutions

READ AND FIND OUT

Q1. Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?

Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?

Solution: Dr. Sadao Hoki was a highly respected Japanese surgeon and scientist. He had dedicated a significant part of his youth, eight years, to studying surgery and medicine in America, aiming to master his field. He was also on the verge of a medical breakthrough, working on a discovery that could completely sterilize wounds. Dr. Sadao's house was situated on the Japanese coast, perched on rocky cliffs high above a narrow beach fringed with pine trees.

Q2. Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy?

Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy?

Solution: Dr. Sadao was aware of the severe legal consequences he faced. Sheltering a white man, especially an escaped American prisoner of war, in his home during wartime between Japan and America would be considered treasonous. If his actions were discovered or reported, he could indeed be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy, which carried grave penalties.

Q3. Will Hana help the wounded man and wash him herself?

Will Hana help the wounded man and wash him herself?

Solution: Initially, the household staff, including the gardener and the cook, were apprehensive about helping the white man, fearing retaliation from the Japanese public or government. Yumi, the maid, was particularly frightened and refused to wash the wounded man. However, Hana, despite her own fear and discomfort, rebuked Yumi for her refusal. Hana then took a clean towel, dipped it in hot water, and proceeded to wash the man's face and upper body herself, showing a degree of compassion, though she hesitated to turn him over.

Q4. What will Dr Sadao and his wife do with the man?

What will Dr Sadao and his wife do with the man?

Solution: Dr. Sadao and his wife, Hana, initially informed their servants that their intention was merely to revive the man so he could be handed over to the authorities as a prisoner. However, Dr. Sadao found himself unable to simply turn over a wounded individual to the police, despite the man being an enemy. He decided to bring the man into his house, operated on him to remove the bullet, and nursed him back to health along with Hana, providing him with care until he was strong enough to walk.

Q5. Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy?

Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy?

Solution: On the seventh day after the operation, a messenger arrived at Dr. Sadao's house in official uniform. Hana, fearing the worst, assumed the messenger had come to arrest Dr. Sadao for harbouring the enemy. However, the messenger's purpose was to summon Dr. Sadao to the palace because the old General was experiencing pain. Later, Dr. Sadao informed the General about the American prisoner. The General, recognizing Dr. Sadao's indispensable skills, promised that he would ensure Dr. Sadao would not be arrested, effectively protecting him.

Q6. What will Dr Sadao do to get rid of the man?

What will Dr Sadao do to get rid of the man?

Solution: After informing the General about the presence of the white man, Dr. Sadao was told that the General would send assassins to kill the man secretly. However, the assassins never came. Dr. Sadao, anxious to resolve the situation, decided to help the man escape. He provided Tom, the American prisoner, with a boat equipped with food and extra clothing, suggesting he row to a small, unoccupied island nearby. Dr. Sadao also gave him a flashlight to signal for help if needed, effectively aiding his escape from Japan and resolving the predicament.

READING WITH INSIGHT

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.

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.

Solution: The story "The Enemy" powerfully illustrates the conflict between personal conscience and national duty. Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon, finds himself in such a situation when he discovers a wounded American prisoner of war washed ashore near his home. As a citizen of Japan, at war with America, his national loyalty dictates that he should report the enemy or even let him die. However, as a doctor, his professional ethics and inherent humanity compel him to save the man's life. He grapples with this dilemma, initially considering putting the man back into the sea, but ultimately decides to bring him home and operate on him. His wife, Hana, also faces a similar conflict, torn between societal expectations and compassion. They choose to prioritize the man's life over their national obligations, risking their own safety and reputation. This decision highlights how, in critical moments, the universal values of humanism and compassion can override the demands of national loyalty, forcing individuals to make difficult choices that define their character.

Common mistakes

Confusing Dr. Sadao's professional duty with personal feelings.
Underestimating the societal and political pressures faced by the characters.
Failing to recognize the theme of universal humanism.
Interpreting the ending solely as an act of betrayal or loyalty.

Revision tips

Focus on Dr. Sadao's internal monologue and decision-making process.
Analyze the reactions of Hana and the servants to understand societal attitudes.
Consider the story's setting and its influence on the characters' actions.
Discuss the theme of 'enemy' and how the story challenges this concept.
Review the resolution and its significance in the context of the story's themes.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Dr. Sadao's profession?

Q2. Who was the wounded man found by Dr. Sadao and Hana?

Q3. Why did the servants refuse to help the wounded man?

Q4. What difficult choice did Dr. Sadao face?

Q5. How did Dr. Sadao ultimately help the American prisoner escape?

Frequently asked questions

Who is the main character in 'The Enemy'?

The main character is Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon who faces a profound moral dilemma.

What is the central conflict in the story 'The Enemy'?

The central conflict is Dr. Sadao's struggle between his professional duty as a doctor to save a life and his loyalty as a citizen to his nation, Japan, which is at war with America.

Why did Dr. Sadao decide to help the American prisoner?

Despite the risks and the man being an enemy, Dr. Sadao's innate sense of duty as a doctor compelled him to save the wounded man's life.

How does the story explore the theme of humanity?

The story shows that humanity and compassion can transcend national boundaries and wartime enmities, as seen in Dr. Sadao's actions.

What role does Hana play in the story?

Hana, Dr. Sadao's wife, initially shares his apprehension but eventually supports him, demonstrating her own evolving understanding of compassion and facing the difficult situation alongside her husband.

What is the significance of the ending?

The ending suggests that Dr. Sadao's actions, while potentially treasonous, highlight a higher moral ground of humanism. The General's failure to act and Dr. Sadao's eventual assistance in the prisoner's escape underscore this theme.

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