Class 12 English NCERT Solutions: Journey to the End of the Earth

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

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This chapter, 'Journey to the End of the Earth,' delves into profound themes of humanism, duty, and national loyalty, as explored through the story of Dr. Sadao. The NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English provide a detailed analysis of the narrative, focusing on the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by the characters. Students will find clear explanations of Dr. Sadao's conflict between his professional duty as a doctor and his obligations as a Japanese citizen during wartime. The solutions also highlight Hana's evolving role and her compassionate response to the wounded soldier. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the nuances of the story, understand character motivations, and prepare effectively for their examinations by offering insightful answers to all chapter-related questions.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 12
Subject	English
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	4. Journey to the End of the Earth

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English, Chapter 4, 'Journey to the End of the Earth,' focuses on the ethical quandaries presented in the story. It examines the conflict between personal morality and national duty, particularly through the actions of Dr. Sadao and his wife Hana. The solutions cover questions related to Dr. Sadao's background, his house, the decision to harbor an enemy soldier, and the subsequent challenges faced. It also explores Hana's role and the difficult choices the couple makes, offering insights into their characters and the story's central themes.

Learning outcomes

Understand the moral and ethical dilemmas faced by Dr. Sadao and Hana.
Analyze the conflict between personal conscience and national loyalty.
Explain the significance of Dr. Sadao's professional duty versus his role as a citizen.
Discuss Hana's character development and her compassionate actions.
Identify the key events and decisions in the story 'Journey to the End of the Earth'.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Dr. Sadao's background and profession
The setting of Dr. Sadao's house
Harboring an enemy soldier
Hana's role and compassion
Ethical dilemmas in wartime
Conflict between personal duty and national loyalty
Humanitarianism
Character analysis of Dr. Sadao and Hana
The decision to operate
The escape plan
Moral choices
Consequences of war

Important topics

Conflict between personal morality and national loyalty
Dr. Sadao's ethical dilemma
Hana's compassionate response
Humanitarianism versus patriotism
The role of duty in difficult times

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Questions and Solutions

Page No: 24 - Read and Find Out - Question 1

Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?

Solution: Dr. Sadao Hoki was a distinguished Japanese surgeon and scientist. He had dedicated eight years of his youth to studying surgery and medicine in America, aiming to perfect a groundbreaking discovery for wound sterilization. His house was uniquely situated on the Japanese coast, built upon rocks overlooking a narrow beach fringed with pine trees.

Page No: 27 - Read and Find Out - Question 2

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

Solution: Dr. Sadao was aware that sheltering a white man, especially an escaped American prisoner of war, would lead to their arrest. Since Japan was at war with America, harboring an enemy was considered an act of treason. If reported or accused, Dr. Sadao could indeed face arrest for this offense.

Page No: 31 - Read and Find Out - Question 3

Will Hana help the wounded man and wash him herself?

Solution: The wounded American soldier was in a critical condition and required immediate cleaning before surgery. Although Hana initially asked their servant, Yumi, to perform this task, Yumi refused. Consequently, Hana, despite her reservations and a sense of superiority over her servant, found herself compelled to wash the unconscious prisoner herself.

Page No: 35 - Read and Find Out - Question 4

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

Solution: Dr. Sadao and Hana discovered a wounded American prisoner of war, a situation that posed a significant risk to their safety. However, Dr. Sadao decided to follow his conscience and operated on the soldier, saving his life. Both Dr. Sadao and Hana provided care for the soldier, with Hana personally attending to his washing and feeding. Although they understood the eventual necessity of handing him over to the authorities, they did their utmost to assist the injured man.

Page No: 39 - Read and Find Out - Question 5

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

Solution: Dr. Sadao treated the wounded enemy soldier based on his professional and humanitarian duty, which was a serious offense. However, he was not arrested because the matter was never revealed to anyone except his wife and loyal servants. Furthermore, a powerful General, preoccupied with his own health issues, never allowed Dr. Sadao to leave his service, thus indirectly protecting him.

Page No: 43 - Read and Find Out - Question 6

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

Solution: As the American soldier's health improved, Dr. Sadao and Hana became increasingly anxious about what to do with him, especially after their servants left. Their distress grew, prompting Dr. Sadao to inform the General, who suggested sending assassins. Dr. Sadao agreed to this plan initially. However, when the assassins did not arrive, Dr. Sadao, overcome by sympathy and a sense of gratitude towards Americans, devised another plan. He secretly provided the soldier with a boat, food, water, clothing, and a flashlight, enabling him to escape to safety via a Korean ship.

Page No: 47 - Reading with Insight - Question 1

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 powerfully illustrates the conflict between personal conscience and national duty through Dr. Sadao's predicament. As a private individual and a doctor, his moral and ethical obligation was to save the life of the wounded soldier. He prioritized this humanitarian duty, risking his reputation, social standing, and even freedom by taking the soldier into his home and treating him. Simultaneously, as a Japanese citizen, he was bound by national loyalty, which demanded he report the enemy. This internal struggle is evident when he confides in the General, even contemplating the soldier's elimination. Ultimately, his innate humanity and professional ethics prevail as he facilitates the soldier's escape, showcasing a complex personality shaped by conflicting roles.

Page No: 47 - Reading with Insight - Question 2

Dr Sadao was compelled by duty as a doctor to help the enemy soldier. What made Hana, his wife, sympathetic to him in the face of open defiance from the domestic staff?

Solution: Dr. Sadao and Hana were aware that their decision to save the enemy soldier would face societal disapproval. Dr. Sadao's compulsion stemmed from his professional ethics, while Hana's sympathy was rooted in pure humanitarianism. Despite the unrest among their domestic staff and the burden of household chores falling upon her, Hana managed with grace. Her inherent kindness, consideration, and sympathy were evident when she personally tended to the soldier's needs, washing and feeding him, which aided his recovery. Furthermore, Hana's respect for her husband and her sense of duty towards him also played a significant role. Even when feeling unwell, she returned to assist him during the operation, demonstrating her commitment.

Common mistakes

Confusing professional duty with personal morality.
Underestimating the societal and national pressures characters face.
Overlooking the subtle development of Hana's character.
Failing to connect individual actions to broader themes of war and humanity.

Revision tips

Focus on the central conflict: duty vs. loyalty.
Analyze Dr. Sadao's actions and motivations step-by-step.
Consider Hana's perspective and her role in the unfolding events.
Relate the story's themes to broader concepts of humanism and war.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What was Dr. Sadao's profession?

Q2. What serious dilemma did Dr. Sadao face regarding the wounded American soldier?

Q3. Why did Hana initially hesitate to help the wounded man?

Q4. What action did Dr. Sadao take to help the soldier escape?

Q5. The story highlights the conflict between:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of 'Journey to the End of the Earth'?

The main theme is the conflict between personal morality and national loyalty, explored through the actions of Dr. Sadao and Hana who choose to save an enemy soldier despite the risks.

Who is Dr. Sadao?

Dr. Sadao Hoki is a renowned Japanese surgeon and scientist who studied in America. He faces a moral dilemma when he finds a wounded American prisoner of war.

Why was harboring the enemy soldier a crime in Japan?

Japan was at war with America, so sheltering an escaped American prisoner of war was considered treason and a serious offense against the nation.

How did Hana contribute to helping the soldier?

Initially hesitant due to disgust and fear, Hana eventually showed compassion by washing and feeding the soldier herself, despite the defiance of their domestic staff.

What difficult choice did Dr. Sadao have to make?

Dr. Sadao had to choose between his professional duty as a doctor to save a life and his duty as a Japanese citizen to report an enemy.

How do these NCERT Solutions help students?

These solutions provide clear, detailed answers to chapter questions, helping students understand the complex themes, character motivations, and ethical dilemmas presented in the story for better exam preparation.

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