📖 class 12 english · vistas stories
The Enemy
by Pearl S. Buck · Vistas (supplementary reader)
The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck is part of the stories section of Vistas, the Class 12 CBSE English supplementary reader, and carries around 2 marks of the 80-mark board paper. It's a moderate-difficulty text — plan roughly 1.5 hours to cover it properly. Recent CBSE papers asked 3 questions from it, on Conflict of Duty, Humanity, Professional Ethics. Examiner's note: Dr. Sadao's dilemma — humanity over nationalism.
Real board questions from this text
What dilemma did Dr. Sadao face when he found the wounded American prisoner in 'The Enemy', and how did he resolve the conflict between duty and humanity? (120–150 words)
How did Hana, Dr. Sadao's wife, respond to the presence of the American soldier in their home? (40–50 words)
"Dr. Sadao's professional ethics triumphed over his prejudice." Discuss how his character illustrates that humanity is above narrow nationalism. (120–150 words)
Quick answers
Who wrote The Enemy?
The Enemy was written by Pearl S. Buck. It appears in the stories section of Vistas, one of the two prescribed Class 12 CBSE English textbooks.
How many marks is The Enemy worth in the Class 12 board exam?
Around 2 marks of the 80-mark CBSE English theory paper, based on the official unit-wise weightage. Dr. Sadao's dilemma — humanity over nationalism.
Is The Enemy easy or hard?
It's rated medium — a moderate-difficulty text in Class 12 English. Most students need about 1.5 hours to cover it well.
What should I focus on in The Enemy?
Going by the board papers themselves, the recurring areas are Conflict of Duty, Humanity, Professional Ethics — that's where the marks actually sit.
What questions come from The Enemy in board exams?
Between 2020–2023, CBSE board papers asked questions from this text on Conflict of Duty, Humanity, Professional Ethics — 3- to 5-mark questions, mostly short answers within a word limit.
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