The Enemy
敵
Pearl S. Buck
Introduction
It is wartime and a doctor needs to make a life or death decision.
Japan has entered WWII by bombing the American navy base at Pearl Harbor.
Japan and the U.S.A. are now enemies.
A Japanese doctor and his wife have discovered a wounded American soldier washed up on the shore near their home in Japan. Will they risk everything to save him?
Would YOU risk your reputation, your safety, and your family’s well-being to help a wounded enemy?
Characters
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Dr. Sadao Hoki – A Japanese doctor
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Hana – His wife, Japanese
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The Old General – Japan’s army General; Sadao’s patient
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Tom – An American soldier who got ashore near Sadao’s house following a serious injury
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Sadao’s father – A true Japanese patriot
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Yumi – Sadao’s maid, in charge of the babies
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The gardener – Sadao’s gardener, an old man, in service since Sadao’s father’s time
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The cook – Sadao’s cook, an old man, in service since Sadao’s father’s time.
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An officer
Setting
Place: Japan; Sadao's house on the coast of a Japanese island.
Time: World War II; after the U.S.A. has entered the war.
Japan
Japan is an island country in the South Pacific.
At the time this story takes place (during World War II), the Japanese have brought the U.S. into the war by bombing Pearl Harbor.
Japan was (and still is) a very traditional and 'closed' society - especially at this time. They considered themselves superior to other cultures.
The Japanese are very concerned with who is superior to whom in any relationship. Their language, behavior and gestures reflect this.
The Japanese of this time are especially obedient and respectful of authority and their elders.
Superstition is deeply rooted in Japanese culture, especially among the older generation and working class.
日本
Summary of the Story
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Sadao is a Japanese surgeon.
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He studied in America and returned with Hana, a Japanese girl whom he met there.
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He married her in Japan and settled down comfortably.
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While most of the doctors were sent to serve the Japanese army in the World War II, Sadao was allowed to stay home because the old General, who was dying, needed his services.
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One night, Sadao comes across a wounded and dying American Navy-man on the shore.
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Though he doesn't really want to help his enemy, he takes the soldier into his house and treats him.
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This acts puts him in danger of being found out as a traitor.
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His servants start acting disobedient and eventually leave.
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The soldier begins to get better and soon does not need Sadao's help.
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Sadao agrees to the General's plan of having an assassin come and kill the enemy soldier in his sleep.
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Sadao waits anxiously for three nights for the assassins to come but every morning, the American is still alive and healthier.
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Sadao finally helps the soldier escape as he chooses the sanctity of human life over loyalty to his country.