NCERT Class 12 English Vistas: Chapter 4 — The Enemy
NCERT Class 12 English Vistas Chapter 4, "The Enemy," by Pearl S. Buck, is set during World War II. It introduces Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon whose house is on the coast. The story begins with Sadao and his wife, Hana, discovering an American prisoner of war washed ashore near their home. The chapter explores the moral dilemma Sadao faces: his duty as a doctor to save a life versus his obligation as a patriot to hand over the enemy to the authorities. Sadao's background, his education in America, and his father's influence on his life and career are also detailed. The narrative sets the stage for the complex ethical and personal conflicts that will unfold as Sadao grapples with this life-or-death situation.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | English |
| Book | Vistas |
| Chapter | Chapter 4 — The Enemy |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 699 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the moral conflict between professional duty and national loyalty.
- Analyze the character of Dr. Sadao and his internal struggles.
- Explore the historical context of World War II and its impact on individuals.
- Appreciate the themes of humanity and compassion in wartime.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Washed ashore | Brought to land by the sea or ocean. |
| Dying state | Very close to death. |
| Prisoner of war | A person captured by an enemy in wartime. |
| Patriot | A person who loves and defends their country. |
| Bent pines | Pine trees that are curved or leaning, often due to wind or terrain. |
| Coconuts | The fruit of the coconut palm tree. |
| Infinite pains | Great care and effort. |
| Render | To cause to be or become; make. |
| Fog | A thick cloud of tiny water droplets suspended in the atmosphere at or near the earth's surface that obscures or distorts visibility. |
| Haori | A loose outer garment worn over the kimono. |
| Affectionately | In a loving or tender way. |
| Voluble | Talking fluently, readily, or incessantly. |
The complete chapter text is read in the official NCERT PDF viewer below (streamed from ncert.nic.in). This page provides NCERT Help study material — summary, vocabulary, practice questions, and FAQs — not a full reproduction of the textbook.
Read chapter online
This PDF is loaded from the official NCERT website (ncert.nic.in). Use the page buttons below to read — download is disabled on NCERT Help.
Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.
Practice questions
- Who is Dr. Sadao Hoki? Answer: Dr. Sadao Hoki is a Japanese surgeon.
- Where was Dr. Sadao's house located? Answer: Dr. Sadao's house was built on the Japanese coast, on a spot where he had played as a boy.
- What significant event happens at the beginning of the chapter? Answer: An American prisoner of war is found washed ashore near Dr. Sadao's house.
- What was Dr. Sadao's father's main concern for him? Answer: Dr. Sadao's father's chief concern was his education, particularly in surgery and medicine.
- Where did Dr. Sadao meet his wife, Hana? Answer: Dr. Sadao met Hana in America.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What war is ongoing at the time of the story?
Explanation: The text explicitly states, 'It is the time of the World War,' and the context of an American prisoner of war points to World War II.
Q2. What is Dr. Sadao's profession?
Explanation: The text identifies Dr. Sadao as a surgeon and mentions his learning of surgery and medicine.
Q3. What was Dr. Sadao perfecting a discovery for?
Explanation: The text states he was 'perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean.'
Q4. Why was Dr. Sadao kept in Japan and not sent abroad with the troops?
Explanation: The text mentions he was kept in Japan because he was perfecting a discovery and because the old General might need an operation.
Q5. How did Dr. Sadao describe the islands of the South Seas to his son?
Explanation: Sadao's father told him, 'Those islands yonder, they are the stepping stones to the future for Japan.'
Q6. What was the condition of the American prisoner of war when found?
Explanation: The text states the American prisoner of war was 'washed ashore in a dying state.'
Frequently asked questions
Who is the author of 'The Enemy'?
The author of 'The Enemy' is Pearl S. Buck.
What is the main conflict presented at the beginning of 'The Enemy'?
The main conflict is Dr. Sadao's dilemma between his duty as a doctor to save a life and his duty as a patriot to hand over an enemy prisoner to the authorities.
Where did Dr. Sadao study medicine and surgery?
Dr. Sadao studied medicine and surgery in America.
Why was Dr. Sadao not sent abroad with the troops?
He was not sent abroad because he was perfecting a discovery to render wounds clean and because the old General might need an operation.
What was the significance of Dr. Sadao's father's words about the islands?
His father used the islands as a metaphor, telling Sadao they were 'stepping stones to the future for Japan,' emphasizing ambition and national progress.
How did Dr. Sadao meet his wife, Hana?
Dr. Sadao met Hana by chance at a professor's house in America.
Related resources
Important topics
Topics covered
NCERT Class 12 English — Vistas — Chapter 4 — The Enemy. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.