Picture Credit: Goodreads
“Utmost respect for human life” is the real sense of the oath that every doctor takes before the onset of his career as the life saver. Doctors are considered to be ‘God’ as they are indifferent and save life irrespective of the background,caste,creed, race and nationality of the patient.
But what if the country is at war and a doctor discovers an enemy whose fate falls unexpectedly in his hands?
Will he stick onto the oath and save him or will his patriotism allow him to leave the wounded to wait for death?Would you risk your life, family, reputation and security to help your wounded enemy?
Introduction
Book’s Name - The Enemy
Author’s Name - Pearl S. Buck
Genre - Sentimental Fiction
Language - English
Antagonist - Cruelty and prejudice
Point of view - Third person omniscient
Synopsis - Spoiler Alert!
Picture Credit: Art Psycho
The story starts when Dr. Sadao Hoki is nostalgic about his childhood and his father but soon is dragged out of the memories as a strange figure appears from the sea shore, crawling towards him.
Dr. Sadao and his wife Hana soon identify that it is a wounded American soldier from his ragged U.S. navy hat indicating that they had an enemy washed off at their door.
Since the plot is set during the times of World War 2 when Japan and America were enemies, the couple faces a dilemma of whether to throw the soldier back into the sea or take him inside their house because he was in the need of immediate surgery.
After a lot of chaos, they strugglingly drag the soldier inside and Sadao prepares for the operation. Hana unwillingly assists him throughout the whole surgery.
Sadao ironically calls his enemy as ‘friend’ out of the habit of comforting his patients by talking to them throughout the operation. The operation is successful but the servants become upset by the decision of their masters to accommodate an enemy and leave their house.
Hana and Sadao are worried by the fact that the servants might complain about them to the authorities but Sadao comforts Hana. He leaves to see The General who is his patient & only trusts Sadao with his life. Sadao informs the General about the whole scenario and they decide to send assassins to kill the enemy without letting the news spread.
Sadao impatiently waits for the assassins for the whole three nights but Tom, the enemy, is alive and healthier with each morning. Finally Sadao helps him to escape to a nearby island and instructs him to give flash of the light every evening till a Korean boat takes him away.
Sadao informs General that Tom escaped and General is bound to keep this secret safe as he himself forgot to send the assassins and neither could punish Sadao because he was the only one who kept him alive.
The story ends on a positive note when everything becomes back to normal and the servants resume their services. There is no flash of the light that evening implying that their enemy has safely escaped. Sadao thinks bitterly of all the white faces he met during his studies in America and is anxious about why he couldn't kill Tom.
About the Author
Pearl Sydenstricker Buck (1892-1973) was born in Hillsboro, West Virginia. Since her childhood Pearl spoke in English , and Chinese taught by her mother and by her tutor , Mr. Kung. At 18, Pearl attended Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, in Lynchburg, Virginia, Graduating in 1914.
Pearl taught at Nanking University for 12 years. Her first novel , East Wind, West Wind, was published in 1930 by John Day & Co. whose publisher Richard Walsh later married Pearl in 1935.
Pearl Buck’s second novel ‘The Good Earth’ came out in 1931 and soon became a bestseller, earning her the Pulitzer Prize and the Howells medal in 1935. It was made into a major MGM film in 1937. More non-fiction works then followed.
Less than a decade after her first book was written, Pearl won the Nobel prize in literature , the first American woman ever to accomplish so. Pearl published over 70 books by the time of her death.
About the Book
‘The Enemy’ is the heart-rendering portrayal of the dilemma between a man’s heart and mind. This is also a part of ‘Far and Near’ compilation of Buck’s famous short stories.
Set during the times of World War II when Japan and American were at War, the plot portrays the conflict between patriotism and humanity. This brings out the heart-wrenching elements of human psychology making the story really lucrative and bounding.
The book revolves around an unexpected event that occurred in the life of Dr. Sadao Hoki when he comes across an enemy who is in desperate need of his help. This is a journey of Sadao Hoki to help his enemy above prejudices and risking everything just to save the life of someone whom he shouldn't have.
Themes Involved
The story highlights various heart touching themes including the rationality to overcome prejudices, humanization, kindness, decisions and duty. All these have been balanced in a perfect proportion to beautify the motive of the story line.
Sadao didn't follow the norms laid by the prejudices and rather helped someone whom he shouldn't have. He goes out of the way risking everything just to save a life.
His humanity wins over the enmity and he is depicted as the epitome of humanity and kindness. Although he tries to act coldly with the patient but is kind enough to bring him to life back and help him escape safely.
The story beautifully portrays the inner struggle that a person faces while taking some of the important decisions in his life. It connects you with the storm that Sadao and Hana face in himself while deciding whether to help Tom or let him die.
This book also shows Sadao’s honesty towards his duty throughout the story. He not only operates him but also keeps a regular check on his progress performing his duty with due honesty. He informs the general about Tom, fulfilling his duty as a responsible citizen of Japan. Hence, Sadao is a character who is honest and loyal towards his profession as well as his nation.
Famous Quotes
Watching him, she wondered if the stories they heard sometimes of the sufferings of prisoners were true. They came like flickers of rumor, told by word of mouth and always contradicted.
“It is not quite at the kidney, my friend,” Sadao murmured. It was his habit to murmur to the patient when he forgot himself in an operation. “My friend,” he always called his patients and so now he did, forgetting that this was his enemy.
The Bottom Line
‘The Enemy’ is a story that fills your soul with positivity and humanity. It beautifully portrays that humanity transcends all the enmity and prejudices making every soul purer.
This will make you feel as if you are in the situation facing the dilemma and will make you emotional due to the excellency in the writing style.
If you admire reading heart touching plots that can ignite the good in you and leave you better as a person then this is all you need.
My ratings for the book - 5 on 5
You can buy a copy from Amazon right away - The Enemy
Written By - Palak Chauhan
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