Q.

3) JUSTIFY THE TITLE OF “ENEMY”

Ans: The story 'The Enemy' makes us think whom we might consider our enemy. It
problema ses the en re concept of the term 'enemy’. The story provokes us to
reconsider the conven onal outlook, especially in troubled mes. The author is
cri cal of the conven onal no on that we consider one our 'enemy' simply because
our respec ve na ons are figh ng a war against each other. The author wants us to
understand that poli cal vende a may not and should not translate into a personal
one. The young American soldier was always cordial but his friendly advances only
met with cold and curt responses from the Doctor. However, in spite of his ra onal
self-protes ng against any gesture of kindness towards the boy, Sadao ends up
saving the American's life twice-- the first me it is the 'doctor' in him that triumphs
and then Sadao's humaneness triumphs over pe y patrio sm. Sadao finds the
white man repulsive; he is prejudiced against white people and considers all
Americans his enemy, yet he saves the American's life and could not reconcile to
the fact that he would be pushing the man into the jaws of death.

The story is not just about the 'enemy' without but also the 'enemy' within.
We have to conquer our narrow-mindedness; our prejudice; our hatred, that is
o en unfounded.

Q.4) THE 'FOG' IN THE STORY IS SYMBOLIC. ELUCIDATE.

Ans: Sadao and Hana were standing on the veranda of their house, when they
no ced the figure of a man in the distance, coming out of the mists. It was evident
that the man was hurt; was crawling on the beach and then he fell on his face. The
mist made it difficult for Sadao and Hana to see clearly. The mist symbolises Sadao
and Hana's lack of clarity regarding what they should do with this man. They were
in a dilemma. Sadao's professional obliga on and his innate humaneness compelled
him to treat the man and try and save his life. On the other hand, his responsibility
as a du ful Japanese ci zen was to hand the man over to the authori es. The 'fog'
is also sugges ve of secrecy. For the next few days, they lived in fear and
apprehension, especially because the servants did not approve of their decision.
Even a er Sadao shared the informa on with the General who promised to send
assassins, eliminate the man and remove the body, the 'fog' did not en rely subside
because he was quite mid about a man being murdered in his house. This symbolic
'fog' was finally li ed a er Sadao was certain that the man had escaped from the
island off the coast, where Sadao had helped him to take refuge.

Q. 5) WAS SADAO CORRECT TO ASSUME THAT THE GENERAL WAS IN THE PALM OF
HIS HAND? EXPLAIN.
Ans : Sadao couldn't take the tension of every night and remain in mortal fear of a
murder in his house, so, he decided to help the American escape to the nearest
island off the coast, from where he could approach a Korean ship for help and
escape. However, he was scared that the General might not take it nicely that a
prisoner of war had escaped from his house. There was always the risk of Sadao
being punished. But when he finally spoke to the General about the young man's
'escape', the General was reminded of his promise. He confessed he had forgo en
his promise; was apologe c but did not want the ma er to be revealed. t would
ques on his responsibility, his patrio sm, his commitment and jeopardize his
posi on. The General wanted Sadao to hush up the en re ma er in exchange of
which, Sadao would be rewarded. Sadao was greatly relieved because the General
would do nothing against him and his involvement in the en re ma er could never
be proven. If at all the General did anything against Sadao, the la er could simply
tell the world of the General's 'forgo en promise.' Thus, he was correct in assuming
that the General was in the palm of his hand and he was absolutely safe.