This page offers The Enemy long answer type question for Class 12 from the book Vistas. We’ve put together a bunch of long answer type question based on assumption, creativity, extrapolation and critical thinking. These types of questions are introduced after 2024 in CBSE Board. So, practice to understand The Enemy long answer type question
The Enemy Long Answer Type Question
1. Question: Why do you think Dr Sadao helped the enemy soldier in the chapter “The Enemy”? (Answer within 120 to 150 words)
Answer: Dr Sadao helped the enemy soldier because he believed it was his duty to save lives. He thought that a doctor’s responsibility is to help anyone in need. It didn’t matter who the person was or where they came from.
Even though the soldier was from the enemy side, Sadao knew leaving him to die was wrong. His inner values made him act with kindness. He understood that saving a life is more important than following the rules of war. Sadao’s sense of humanity was stronger than his fear of punishment.
His actions show that kindness can rise above fear and hatred. Even in a time of war, he chose to do what felt right. Sadao’s decision shows his personal values and dedication as a doctor. It also shows that doing the right thing isn’t always easy. His story teaches us that humanity should come first.
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2. How does the story “The Enemy” teach us about the conflict between personal values and societal expectations? (Answer within 120 to 150 words)
Answer: The story shows that following personal values can go against society’s expectations. Sadao knew that society wanted him to hand over the enemy soldier. But his duty as a doctor made him save the soldier’s life. The pressure from the servants and the General reflects the weight of social rules.
The servants leave the house because they believe helping the enemy is wrong. They also fear punishment. The General offers to send assassins to kill the soldier. Despite these pressures, Sadao follows his heart and does what he believes is right.
This shows that doing the right thing is not always easy. It also shows that personal values can be more important than rules. Fear of punishment should not stop us from following our values. Sadao’s actions show the importance of staying true to one’s conscience.
3. What role does Hana play in the story “The Enemy,” and how does her support help Sadao? (Answer within 120 to 150 words)
Answer: Hana plays an important role in “The Enemy.” Although she is afraid, she supports Sadao in treating the injured enemy soldier, giving him the courage to do what he feels is right. Without her help, Sadao would have faced greater difficulty in treating the soldier alone.
Hana’s support highlights the power of love and partnership, as it helps Sadao remain committed to his values. She stands by him even when she feels uncertain, showing the strength of their relationship.
Her presence helps Sadao handle his inner conflict, encouraging him to follow his conscience. By staying together, they manage their fears and challenges more effectively. Hana’s role proves that true support from a loved one can make difficult times easier to face.
4. In the chapter “The Enemy,” what do the General’s actions reveal about his character and his priorities? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: The General’s actions reveal his selfishness and focus on personal needs over national duty. He values Dr Sadao’s medical skills and prioritises his own health instead of following military protocols. Rather than reporting the enemy soldier, he suggests secretly killing him to ensure Sadao remains available for his medical needs. This decision shows that he places his personal health above loyalty to Japan, indicating a lack of true patriotism.
The General’s character reflects how people in positions of power may sometimes act based on convenience rather than duty. His actions highlight how authority can lead to selfish choices, as he disregards his responsibility towards the nation to ensure his own comfort.
This reveals how personal interests can influence important decisions, even in times of war. The General’s behaviour shows a prioritisation of self-interest over loyalty and duty.
5. Do you think the story “The Enemy” would have been different if Sadao had handed over the soldier? Why or why not? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: If Sadao had handed over the soldier, the story would have been very different. The soldier would likely have been killed, and Sadao would not have experienced the same inner struggle.
Without this conflict, Sadao would have followed society’s rules but ignored his values as a doctor. This choice would make him look loyal to his country, but less connected to his humanity. His act of saving the soldier adds depth to the story, showing that compassion and kindness can go beyond fear and rules. If Sadao had surrendered the soldier, the story would lose this powerful message.
By saving him, Sadao’s actions teach us that doing the right thing can be hard but important, adding a valuable message about compassion.
6. How does the fear of punishment affect the decisions made by the characters in the chapter “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: The fear of punishment greatly impacts the choices of several characters. The servants leave Sadao’s house because they worry that hiding an enemy soldier could bring trouble and punishment. To stay safe, they decide to distance themselves. The General, too, is influenced by fear.
Instead of openly dealing with the situation, he suggests using assassins to quietly kill the soldier, avoiding any risks to his reputation. Sadao also feels this fear, knowing that helping the soldier might put his family in danger.
However, his values as a doctor push him to save the soldier’s life, showing that he prioritises humanity over fear. The story shows how fear can prevent people from doing what is right, but through Sadao’s actions, we learn the importance of staying true to our values, even when it’s risky.
7. What lesson do you think the soldier learned from his experience with Sadao and Hana in “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: The soldier learned that kindness can come from unexpected places. Sadao and Hana’s care showed him that not all enemies are bad and that humanity can bridge divisions. Through their actions, he realised that war may separate people, but compassion can bring them together.
This experience likely changed how he viewed those on the “other side,” teaching him that people should not be judged solely by which side they fight for. The soldier’s experience with Sadao and Hana showed him that compassion and care are stronger than hate and fear.
It may inspire him to be kinder to others, even in difficult situations, understanding that small acts of kindness can change perspectives.
8. Why do you think Sadao let the soldier go in the chapter “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: Sadao let the soldier go because he believed it was the right thing to do. As a doctor, he felt it was his duty to save a life, even knowing the risks. He understood that the soldier might return to fight, but Sadao chose to follow his values and act with kindness. Helping the soldier brought him inner peace and showed that true compassion doesn’t depend on what others might do later.
Sadao’s decision teaches us that doing what is right matters more than fearing the consequences. He could have followed the rules, but he prioritised humanity over fear. His actions show that personal values should guide us, even when it’s risky, proving that true kindness is about helping others, no matter the situation.
9. In what ways does the story “The Enemy” depict the profound impact of war on the lives, relationships, and choices of individuals, even those far from the battlefield? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: The story “The Enemy” reveals how war creates fear, confusion, and difficult choices for people. Although Sadao and Hana are far from the battlefield, the war affects their lives deeply. The servants leave because they fear punishment for hiding an enemy soldier. Sadao feels torn between his duty as a doctor and his loyalty to his country, knowing that helping the soldier is risky.
The General’s actions show how war changes priorities, as he values his health over national duty. War forces people to make hard decisions—some driven by fear, others by kindness. The story illustrates that war not only divides nations but also affects personal relationships and choices, bringing out both the worst and the best in people, as fear and values clash.
10. What might have motivated the soldier to place his trust in Dr Sadao in the story “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 140 words)
Answer: The soldier likely trusted Dr Sadao because he sensed genuine kindness in his actions. Despite being on opposite sides, Sadao and Hana’s care showed the soldier that they wanted to help, not harm him. Their gentle treatment and willingness to risk their safety may have made him feel secure.
The soldier likely realised that trusting Sadao was his best chance for survival and felt grateful for the help he was receiving. Seeing that Sadao was a skilled doctor probably also reassured him about his safety.
His choice to trust Sadao and Hana shows how acts of kindness can break down barriers, even in difficult situations, and build trust across divides.
11. How could Sadao’s life have been affected if the authorities had discovered the soldier in the chapter “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: If the authorities had discovered the soldier, Sadao could have faced severe punishment for helping an enemy. He might have lost his job and his reputation as a doctor, bringing shame to his family. They could have been rejected by society, as people might judge them for protecting an enemy.
Even if Sadao escaped legal trouble, he would live with constant fear of being caught, affecting his confidence in his work. This fear could lead to guilt and doubt, making him question if saving the soldier was worth it. His relationship with Hana and his family might also suffer due to the pressure and stress.
The experience would make life harder for Sadao, leaving him to wonder if following his values was truly the right choice.
12. Why did the General suggest killing the soldier rather than reporting him in the chapter “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: The General suggested killing the soldier to avoid complications and protect his own interests. Reporting the soldier might have drawn attention to his health and decisions, creating unnecessary trouble for him.
The General knew he relied on Dr Sadao’s medical skills and feared losing him if Sadao faced punishment for helping the enemy. By keeping the matter secret, he ensured his health needs would be met without any risk. This suggestion shows how personal convenience often takes priority over rules or duty. The General was more focused on his health and reputation than doing what was right.
His actions highlight how people in power may use their authority for self-preservation rather than integrity. The General’s decision reflects how war can drive individuals to act selfishly, putting personal needs above loyalty or responsibility.
13. How might Sadao have been affected if he had chosen to let the soldier die in “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: If Sadao had let the soldier die, he would likely have carried guilt for the rest of his life. Although he would have followed society’s rules, he would have gone against his values as a doctor. Knowing he allowed someone to die when he could have saved them would have disturbed him deeply, taking away his peace of mind. This choice would leave him questioning his actions, haunted by the memory of prioritising safety over humanity.
Such regret might have affected his relationship with Hana, who would see his struggle. Sadao’s decision shows that simply following rules doesn’t bring peace if it means ignoring personal values. The story illustrates that choosing fear over kindness can cause lasting emotional pain, teaching that sometimes the harder choice is the one that brings true inner peace.
14. What does Hana’s willingness to support Sadao teach us about the role of support in relationships in “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: Hana’s actions show that trust and support are essential in a relationship. Although she feels afraid and uncertain, she stands by Sadao, trusting his decision to help the soldier.
Her willingness to support him highlights the strength of their bond and teaches us that true partnership means staying together through difficult times. Without Hana’s help, Sadao would have found it much harder to treat the soldier alone. Her support shows that trusting loved ones can make tough choices easier. It also demonstrates the importance of teamwork in facing fear and doubt.
Through Hana’s role, the story illustrates that mutual support strengthens relationships, helping people act according to their values. True support is about standing together through challenges, making even the hardest decisions more bearable.
15. What lesson do we learn from the servants’ fear of punishment in the chapter “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: The servants’ fear of punishment shows how societal pressure can prevent people from doing what is right. They leave Sadao’s house because they worry about being punished for helping an enemy soldier, letting fear hold them back from showing kindness. Their choice reflects how self-protection often leads people to prioritise safety over compassion.
This teaches us that staying true to personal values is important, even when society discourages it. The story shows that fear often stops people from doing good, highlighting that doing the right thing requires courage, especially when it goes against social expectations. The servants’ actions demonstrate how people sometimes choose rules over humanity.
Ultimately, the story teaches that kindness should not depend on society’s opinions; true values guide us to do what is right, even when we fear the consequences.
16. Why is it important to follow one’s conscience, even when it goes against societal expectations, as shown in the chapter “The Enemy”? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: Sadao’s actions teach us that following our conscience brings inner peace. He saves the enemy soldier because it feels like the right thing to do, despite the risks and disapproval from others. Sadao’s decision shows that staying true to personal values is more important than blindly following society’s expectations. If he had ignored his conscience, he would have lived with regret and inner conflict.
His actions show that doing the right thing helps us maintain integrity and self-respect. The story teaches that fear of judgement or punishment should not stop us from following our values. It reminds us that personal peace comes from knowing we acted according to what we believe is right.
Sadao’s choice shows that listening to our conscience allows us to live honestly and with a sense of fulfilment.
17. How does the story “The Enemy” encourage us to rethink the concept of who an “enemy” is? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: The story “The Enemy” challenges us to reconsider who we label as an “enemy.” It shows that the term “enemy” is often defined by circumstances, not by a person’s true nature.
The soldier in the story is not portrayed as evil; he is simply a man on the opposing side of a war. Sadao and Hana’s kindness towards him reveals that people on opposite sides can still show humanity and compassion. This suggests that being an “enemy” is more about context than identity.
The story reminds us that kindness and empathy can break down barriers, allowing us to see each other beyond labels. Through Sadao’s actions, we learn that treating others as human beings brings out our best qualities, encouraging us to look beyond roles and see people for who they truly are, even in difficult circumstances.
19. Do you think Dr Sadao’s final decision was the best possible one in the chapter “The Enemy”? Why/Why not? (Answer in 130 to 150 words)
Answer: Yes, Dr Sadao’s final decision to let the soldier go was the best possible choice. By helping the soldier escape, he stayed true to his values as a doctor, valuing life over society’s rules. Turning the soldier over would have saved Sadao from trouble but would have gone against his conscience.
Letting him go allowed the soldier a chance to live and avoided his death by assassins, showing Sadao’s kindness over fear. Sadao found inner peace knowing he did the right thing, even if the soldier might return to fight.
This decision teaches us that doing what is right isn’t always easy, but acting with humanity is more important than following rules out of fear. Sadao’s choice shows that kindness should come first, leading to peace within oneself.