Keeping Quiet Important Questions CBSE Class 12 English

Extract Based Questions (4 Marks)

Question.1. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
“If we were not so single-minded
about keeping our lives moving,
and for once could do nothing,
perhaps a huge silence
might interrupt this sadness
of never understanding ourselves
and of threatening ourselves with death(Compartment 2014 Modified)
(a) Whom does ‘we’ refer to in the above lines?
(b) Why does the poet want us to ‘do nothing’ for once?
(c) What is the‘sadness’that the poet refers to in the poem?
(d) How can a huge silence do good to us?
Answer.
(a) ‘We’ refers to the human beings, who are always thinking about their own
progress and advancement.
(b) The poet wants us to ‘do nothing’ for once so that our mind can be at peace and
we are able to introspect and analyse our own actions.
(c) The poet refers to the ‘sadness’ which arises due to the fact that people fail to
understand themselves. They have no time to introspect about their actions and
their consequences.
(d) A huge silence can do good to us because we are able to achieve peace in this
silence. It helps us in analysing ourselves and our actions, interrupting the sadness
of threatening ourselves with death.
Question.2.Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Perhaps the Earth can teach us
as when everything seems dead
and later proves to be alive
Now I’ll count upto twelve
and you keep quiet and I will go.
(a) What does the Earth teach us?
(b) What does the poet mean to achieve by counting upto twelve?
(c) What is the significance of ’keeping quiet’? (All India 2013; Modified)
(d) What is always alive, even when everything seems to be dead?
or
(a) What does the Earth teach us?
(b) Why does the poet countupto twelve?
(c) What will keeping quiet help us achieve?(Delhi 2008 Modified)
(d) How does the Earth teach us that there is activity even in apparent
stillness?
Answer.
(a) The Earth teaches us how new life springs from dead remains, and how there is
life under apparent stillness.
(b) The poet wants to achieve peace by counting upto twelve. He wants us to
introspect in a moment of silence.
(c) Keeping quiet doesn’t mean just not speaking. It means that we should avoid all
activities which hurt nature and, in turn, hurt us.
(d) The Earth is always alive, even when everything else seems to be dead. There is
always some activity going on in nature beneath its apparent stillness.
or
Answer.
(a) The Earth teaches us how new life springs from dead remains. It gives us lessons
about sustaining and resurrecting life.
(b) The poet is initiating an exercise in meditation. When he counts upto twelve, the
meditator puts away all digressions and experiences bliss. He wants all meditators
to experience that bliss.
(c) Keeping quiet will help us introspect, reflect and experience silence and peace.
This will in turn help us find solutions to our problems.
(d) Though the Earth appears still, there are so many changes that keep occurring
beneath its surface. A seed that seems dead germinates under the Earth and a new
life springs from it.
Question.3.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
For once on the face of the Earth
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
arid not move our arms so much.
(a) Why does the poet want us to keep quiet?
(b) What does he want us to do for one second?
(c) What does he mean by “not move our arms”? (Delhi 2012; Modified)
(d) How can this moment of stillness help us?
Answer.
(a) The poet wants us to keep quiet in the hope that the moment of tranquillity
might help us in finding the answers to our problems.
(b) The poet wants us to be silent and motionless for one second.
(c) The poet means that we should be in a state of total stillness with no physical
activity at all.

(d) This moment of stillness can provide us physical and mental rest, during which
our mind will be at peace. We can analyse our actions and their consequences and
avoid rash or thoughtless behaviour.
Question.4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
It would be an exotic moment
without rush, without engines,
we would all be together
in a sudden strangeness.
(a) What will happen if there is no rush or running of engines?
(b) Why would it be called an exotic moment?
(c) How would we feel at tliat moment? (Foreign 2011; Modified)
(d) Name the poem and the poet.
Answer.
(a) It will be an ecstatic moment of tranquillity without rush or running of engines.
(b) It would be called an exotic moment because it will be an instance of universal
peace and brotherhood. In that moment, all of us would initiate introspection
through meditation and the whole world will be enveloped in quietness.
(c) We would feel very strange at that moment, because at that time everyone will
have a feeling of oneness with their fellow human beings. It will be a new feeling
altogether.
(d) The poem is ‘Keeping Quiet’, and the poet is Pablo Neruda.
Question.5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Now we will count to twelve,
and we will all keep still.
For once on the face of the Earth,
let’s not speak in any language,
let’s stop for one second,
and not move our arms so much.
(a) How long does the poet want to stay still?
(b) What does he hope to achieve by keeping quiet?
(c) What does the poet mean by “not move our arms so much”? (All India
2009; Modified)
(d) Why does the poet suggest us not to sp,eak in any language?
Answer.
(a) The poet exhorts each one of us to count to twelve and then be quiet, silent and
motionless for a brief moment.
(b) He hopes to achieve and realise the value of quiet introspection. In this silence,
we shall feel that all are together and will experience a strange feeling of
togetherness.

(c) By this, he means that we should not make any physical movement, as physical
activity will stop dr interrupt our introspection.
(d) The poet wants us to simply be silent for a moment and utilise that time to
understand ourselves as well as others. Besides, language differences often lead to
conflict, which the poet, perhaps, wants to avoid.
Question.6.Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Fishermen ip.the cold sea
would not harm whales
and the man gathering salt
would look at his hurt hands.
(a) What does the poet expect of the fishermen and why?
(b) While gathering salt, what will the man do?
(c) What do the hurt hands imply? (All India 2008;Modified)
(d) How would man and nature benefit in this moment of silence?
Answer.
(a) In the exotic moment of silence and introspection, fishermen will become
conscioi the fact that they are causing harm to the whales. The poet expects this
because he feels that at this opportune moment all evil will come to an end.
(b) The man gathering salt will stop for a while at that quiet moment and look at his
hurt
hands.
(c) ‘Hurt hands’ means that human beings are oblivious of the pain they are causing
to themselves in the pursuit of amassing more and more comforts. They have no
time for themselves.
(d) In this moment of silence, man will not harm nature, and both human beings and
nature will get some time to attend to and recover from their wounds.
Short Answer Type Questions (3 Marks, 30-40 words)
Question.1. Which is the exotic moment that the poet refers to in ‘Keeping
Quiet’? (Delhi 2014)
Answer. The poet refers to the moment of stillness and quietness as an exotic
moment. It would be an exotic moment, as such a tranquillity will initiate peace and
brotherhood. There would be no movement, no talk, no activity and consequently,
no violence.
Question.2. What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem
‘Keeping Quiet’? (All India 2014)
or
What is the sadness that the poet refers to in the poem? (All India 2011)
Answer. The poet refers to the sadness which surrounds man due to not having any
time for himself, the pain of not understanding what he or his fellow human beings
want. He has no time for introspection; as a result, he is unable to analyse his own
actions and understand its consequences.
Question.3. Which images in the poem ‘Keeping Quiet’ show that the poet
condemns violence?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. The images of fishermen not harming the whales in the sea and wars
leaving behind no survivors to celebrate the victory show that the poet condemns
violence. The poet wants the warmongers to change their blood-stained clothes to
clean ones. The poet’s refusal to have any association or dealing with death also
shows that he is not in favour of any form of violence.
Question.4. What symbol from nature does the poet use to prove that
keeping quiet is not total
inactivity? (Foreign2014)
Answer. The poet uses nature as a symbol to explain his idea that there can be life
under apparent stillness. According to him, keeping quiet is not total inactivity. A
seed may appear to be dead and inactive, but one day, the same seed may turn
into a fruitful tree.
Question.5. How, according to Neruda, can keeping quiet change our
attitude to life?
(Compartment 2014)
Answer. Keeping quiet and suspending all our activities for a brief moment will give
us time to introspect and analyse our own actions. We will develop a new
understanding of our surroundings and thus change our attitude to life. We will
check our destructive ways and try to be more positive and constructive.
Question.6.What are the different kinds of wars mentioned in the poem?
What is Neruda’s
attitude towards these wars? (Delhi 2013)
Answer. The poet has written about wars against humanity and nature. Green wars,
wars with poisonous gases and wars with fire are the different kinds of wars
mentioned in the poem. Wars do good to no one. Pablo Neruda feels that such wars
may bring victory, but there are no survivors. It means that there is heavy loss on
both sides.
Question.7. How can suspension of activities help? (All India 2012)
Answer. The poet believes that suspension of activities will allow man to introspect,
which can help them in analysing their own actions, and in solving many of their
problems based on caste, religion or nationality. It will help them develop a new
understanding of their surroundings, and thus make them mend their destructive
ways.
Question.8. Do you think the poet advocates total inactivity and death?
(Delhi 2011)
Answer. No, the poet clearly states that his asking for stillness should not be
confused with total inactivity or death. He perceives life to be a continuous process,
where man’s activities should not lead to destruction of fellow human beings or
nature, but should be channelised in a resourceful way.
Question.9. According to the poet, what is it that human beings can learn
from nature? (All India 2010)
Answer. Life under apparent stillness in attitude is the thing which man can learn
from nature. The Earth is never in a state of total inactivity. Nature carries on its
work even where there is stillness all around. Winter is associated with inactivity,
but this is not actually true.
Question.10.What will counting upto twelve and keeping quiet help us to
achieve? (Foreign 2009)
Answer. The poet asks each one of us to count to twelve and then be quiet, silent
and motionless. This quietness will create a moment of togetherness among all; a
condition which is foremost for the survival of humanity, which is indeed an
achievement. It will also give us One to analyse our actions and their consequences.
A Thing of Beauty Important Questions CBSE Class 12 English
Extract Based Questions (4 Marks)
Question.1. Read the extracts given below and answer the questions that
follow.
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read;
An endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from heaven’s brink
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) What is the thing of beauty mentioned in these lines?
(c) What image does the poet use in these lines?
(d) What is the effect of this ‘immortal drink’ on us?
or
(a) Who are the ‘mighty dead’? How do we know about them?
(b) What images does the poet use to convey that beauty is everlasting?
(Foreign 2009, Delhi 2014; Modified)
(c) What is the effect of the immortal drink?
(d) Write the words from the extract which mean
(i) stories
(ii) magnificence
Answer.(a) The poem is ‘A thing of beauty’ and the poet is John Keats.
(b) The thing of beauty mentioned in these lines is the group of stories celebrating
the glory of our powerful ancestors, which we have read or heard.
(c) The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’ coming down to us from
heaven. According to him, nature and other beautiful things around us are like a gift
from God, which give us infinite delight and Joy.
(d) The immortal drink gives us immense joy, a joy that is everlasting, one that will
never come to an end.
or
(a) Our ancestors, who were great in their own ways and the dead emperors have
been referred to as the mighty dead. We come to know about them by reading or
hearing valorous tales, which speak of their innumerable sacrifices. They are a
source of motivation for all who go through them.
(b) ‘Endless fountain’ of joy is the image that has been used to convey that beauty
is everlasting. Things of beauty are an eternal source of motivation, a precious gift
from heaven which give us infinite pleasure and defight.
(c) The immortal drink that nature’s endless fountain pours on us gives us immense
joy and pleasure.
(d) (i) tales (ii) grandeur
Question.2. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits.
(a) Name the poem and the poet.
(b) Why are we despondent?
(c) What removes “the pall from our dark spirits”?
(d) Explain, “the inhuman dearth of noble natures.” ’
or
(a) What are we doing every day?
(b) Which evil things do we possess and suffer from?
(c) What are the circumstances that contribute towards making humans
unhappy and disillusioned with life? (Delhi 2013; Modified, All India 2014;
Modified)
(d) What removes the pall from our dark spirits?
Answer. (a) The poem is ‘A thing of beauty’and the poet is John Keats.
(b) Human iife is full of trials and tribulations. We add to our troubles and make our
lives more difficult by following evil ways. We hurt others as well as ourselves. This
makes us despondent.
(c) The various objects of beauty around us remove the pall from our dark spirits.
Beautiful things have the power to make us happy.
(d) The poet here means that the world lacks in men of noble nature or qualities.
There are few people who are noble in character; most of the people are self-
centred and pursue evil ways.
or
(a) The memory of beautiful things remains in our minds and strengthens our bond
with the Earth. Every day, these bonds get strengthened by the flowery bands that
we prepare.
(b) Humans suffer from hopelessness and sadness. Our poor style of living make us
grim.
(C) Hopelessness, sadness and lack of noble ways are a part of human life. We harm
ourselves by following unhealthy and wicked paths. These circumstances contribute
towards making humans unhappy and disillusioned with life.
(d) Anything beautiful in our surroundings or even the memories of our beautiful
experiences removes the pall from our dark spirits.
Question.3. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
“Some shape of beauty moves away the pall
From our dark spirits,”
(a) How does beauty help us when we are burdened with grief?
(b) Explain; “Some shape of beauty.”
(c) Identify the figure of speech in the above lines.
(d) Why are our spirits referred to as ‘dark’?
Answer. (a) Whenever we look at a beautiful object, we are filled with comfort and
joy. When we are burdened with grief, a thing of beauty comes as a ray of hope, and
makes us forget our sorrow and suffering at least for some time.
(b) Beauty is an abstract idea and has no specific shape. The poet here means
beauty in some form or some beautiful object which pleases us.
(c) The above lines present an example of metaphor. Our souls are steeped in
sadness and disappointment which are compared to a pall or shroud covering the
dead.

(d) Our spirits are dejected due to extreme sadness and disappointment which may
be the result of our own evil actions. So, the poet refers to them as dark, because of
the hopelessness we feel.
Question.4. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the Earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching
(a) What are the flowery bands that bind us to the Earth?
(b) What message do the above lines convey? (Delhi 2009)
(c) Why is there an “inhuman dearth of noble natures”?
(d) What do you understand by “unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways”?

Answer. (a) Here beautiful and pleasant things have been referred to as flowery
bands. It is only those things which have beauty of some or the other kind that bind
us to this Earth, or in a way, keep us going. The memory of our beautiful
experiences helps us strengthen our bond with the Earth.
(b) The message that these lines convey is that the world is full of sorrow, sadness
and depression. People have become selfish,-and there is a scarcity of noble people.
Despite this, life is possible because there are some beautiful things around, which
help us to look towards the positive side of life. It is the beauty of these things
which brings a smile on our face and gives us happiness in our lives.
(c) Today, there are few people who can rise above petty differences and be
generous towards others. These days people are mostly selfish and do not think
about others.
(d) The unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways refer to the trials and tribulations in our
life, and the dishonest and unfair means people adopt to achieve their goals.
Question.5. Read the extract given below and answer the questions that
follow.
A thing of beauty is a joy forever
Its loveliness increases, it will never
Pass into nothingness; but will keep
A bower quiet for us and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams and health and quiet breathing
(a) How does a thing of beauty remain a joy forever?
(b) Mention any two sources of joy which a thing, of beauty provides to us.
(All India 2008; Modified)
(c) Explain, “never pass into nothingness.”
(d) What is meant by‘bower’?
Answer. (a) A thing of beauty provides eternal and everlasting joy to us. Whenever
we are in a pensive mood we can relive the joyful experience and happiness it gave
us.
(b) A thing of beauty gives us a quiet bower to rest peacefully, and a blissful sleep
full of
pleasant dreams.
(c) The joy that a thing of beauty give us is eternal. It never loses its importance,
but it only increases with time.
(d) A ‘bower’ refers to a peaceful, quiet place under the shade of trees.
Short Answer Type Questions p Marks, 30-40 words)
Question.1. How do beautiful things help us to live a happy life? (Foreign
2014)
Answer. We derive comfort and happiness when we look at objects of beauty, and
the lasting impression they leave on our minds is a source of permanent joy.
Beautiful things bind us to the Earth and help us strengthen our relationship with
nature. They provide us relief from our everyday trials and tribulations and help us
live a happy life.
Question.2. What does Keats consider an endless fountain of immortal
drink and why does he
call its drink immortal? (All India 2013)
Answer. Keats considers nature’s beauty as an endless fountain of immortal drink.
He calls this drink immortal as the pleasure and delight given by it never passes
into nothingness. It only increases with time.
Question.3. According to Keats, what spreads the pall of despondence
over our dark spirits? How
is it removed? (All India 2013)
or
What spreads the pall of despondence over our dark spirits? How is it
removed?
Answer. John Keats says that pain and suffering are a part of life. These bring us
sadness and despondence. But still, we can find hope. The hope and motivation
come from nature and remove the pall of despondence from our spirits. The
beautiful sights give us inspiration to continue the journey of life.
Question.4. How does a thing of beauty provide shelter and comfort?
(Modified India 2013)
Answer. A thing of beauty provides shelter and comfort in many ways. It is like a
bower, a place under the shade of a tree where we can rest. It gives us a sleep filled
with sweet dreams. The streams and forests provide a cooling covert for us in the
hot weather.
Question.5. How is a thing of beauty a joy forever? (Delhi 2012)
Answer. A thing of beauty is a joy forever because it is a permanent source of joy
and inspiration and leaves a lasting impression on us. The pleasure and happiness
given by it never fades away but keeps on increasing.
Question.6. What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and
sufferings? .
(Ml India 2012,2010; Delhi 2008)
Answer. Human beings suffer from hopelessness and sadness. Our style of living
often makes us hopeless and grim. We at times also, suffer due to the self-centred
and wicked nature of others. In spite of all our troubles and sufferings, we are able
to derive pleasure from our surroundings. The beautiful objects from nature help us
shed our gloom, give us a glimmer of hope, and make us love life amidst all
troubles.
Question.7. Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the mighty dead? (Delhi
2011)
Answer. The mighty dead are those who have laid down their lives for a great or
noble cause. Their death is replete with intellectual and spiritual beauty. Birth,
growth and decay, all are inseparable. Each has its own. beauty. Their death is
grand or beautiful because it makes them immortal through the grand tombs and
memorials erected in their honour.
Question.8. What is the message of the poem, ‘A thing of beauty’?
(Modified India 2011)
Answer. The message of the poem ‘A thing of beauty’ is that beautiful things are a
source of constant joy and inspiration. They give us eternal pleasure and leave an
indelible image on our minds and, therefore, every beautiful thing and aspect is
worth being treasured.
Question.9. What is the ‘endless fountain’ and what is its effect? (Foreign
2011)
Answer. Here beauty has been referred to as an ‘endless fountain’, which is an
eternal source of motivation, an elixir of life and a precious gift from heaven. It gives
us infinite pleasure and delight, and motivates us to continue our journey of life.
Question.10.What images does the poet use to describe the beautiful
bounty of the Earth? (Delhi 2010)
Answer. The poet uses the image of an ‘endless fountain’, which showers bounties
on Earth. He calls this an ‘immortal drink’ from heaven. The sun, the moon, the
trees, the daffodils, the lush green forests and streams, all reflect the beautiful
bounties which God has given us.

Ques: List the things of beauty mentioned in the poem.

Answer: There are many things of beauty that, according to the poet, allow us to
forget our sorrows. Those are the sun, the moon, old and young trees that offer
shade to 'simple goats,' daffodils, clear streams of rivers, woodland musk roses, and
the lovely tales of strong people.
Ques: List the things that cause suffering and pain.
Answer: The poet mentions a variety of factors that cause pain and misery, such
as despondency, depression, unnatural and wrong forms human beings take to
achieve their desired goals, etc. The poet often thinks there is a deep dearth in this
world of noble souls.
Ques: What does the line, ‘Therefore are we wreathing a flowery band to
bind us to earth’ suggest to you?
Advertisement
Answer: This line indicates things of beauty are connecting us with a beautiful link
to the earth. According to the author, even if the world is not worth living because
of the myriad causes that eventually lead to gloom and despair, the desire to live a
full and peaceful existence can be extracted from the sight of nature's magnificent
bounties around us.
Ques: What makes human beings love life in spite of troubles and
sufferings?
Answer: Given challenges and suffering, human beings enjoy life because of the
presence of many good and beautiful things around them. That beauty stuff never
disappears. These offer the human spirit happiness and hope and thus help to
resolve or to bear the troubles and sufferings.
Ques: Why is ‘grandeur’ associated with the ‘mighty dead’?
Answer: The ‘grandeur’ of the ‘mighty dead’ lies in their noble deeds. They have
left behind the beautiful legacy of their brave acts. Their selfless sacrifice for their
nation and deeds for the welfare of mankind still continue to inspire us.
Ques: Do we experience things of beauty only for short moments or do
they make a lasting impression on us?
Answer: The poet claims that joy stays with us forever when we experience a
beautiful thing, just for a little moment. It leaves a lasting impression that
encourages us to live life with optimism and hope.
Ques: What image does the poet use to describe the beautiful bounty of
the earth?
Answer: The poet uses the image of ‘an endless fountain of immortal drink’ to
describe the beautiful bounty of the earth. The earth, like a fountain, pours unto us
numerous beautiful sights like the sun, the moon, flowers, rivers, and greenery.
ENEMY
Question 1.
Why did the General spare the American soldier? (All India 2009)
Answer:
The General had his own selfish interest in sparing the American soldier. He knew
Dr. Sadao was indispensable to him and did not want him to be arrested. He did not
trust other surgeons. In his capacity as a General he should have had the American
soldier arrested but he refrained from it in his personal self-interest.
Question 2.
Why was Dr. Sadao not sent to the battlefield? (All India 2009)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao was a skilled and reputed surgeon who was in the process of perfecting
an invention of rendering wounds totally clean. Moreover, he was treating the old
General who could need an operation. So he was not sent to the battlefield as his
valuable services could be needed at any time in his hometown.
Question 3.
Why did the messenger come to Dr. Sadao? What did Hana think about it? (All India
2010)
Answer:
The uniformed messenger comes to Dr. Sadao to inform him that the old General
was in pain again. Hana felt relieved to hear that the messenger had come only to
inform Dr. Sadao about the General’s ill-health. She had earlier feared that the
servants had informed the police who had sent the man in the uniform to their
house.
Question 4.
What forced Dr. Sadao to be impatient and irritated with his patient? (All India 2010)
Answer:
His patient was badly wounded and this was a cause of worry, concern and vexation
for Dr. Sadao. Saving him was a challenge for his skills as a doctor and harbouring
him in his house could lead to Dr. Sadao’s arrest and his treatment was the ultimate
test of the doctor’s patience.
Question 5.
In what context does Hana remember General Takima? What does she infer? (All
India 2010)
Answer:
Hana remembers General Takima who at home used to beat his wife cruelly though
no one now mentioned it ever since he had fought a victorious battle in Manchuria.
She inferred that if a man like him could be so cruel to a woman in his power, he
would be extremely cruel to the wounded American soldier.
Question 6.
How did Hana help Dr. Sadao while he operated upon the enemy soldier? (Comptt.
Delhi 2010)
Answer:
First Hana washes the wounded man’s face and body with warm water till it was
quite clean. She then assists Dr. Sadao during the operation even though she has
never even witnessed an operation before. She brings in the towels and though she
is not comfortable at the sight of the bleeding wound she gives anaesthesia to the
patient.
Question 7.
What was the old gardener’s reaction when Dr. Sadao gave shelter to the enemy
soldier? (Comptt. All India 2010)
Answer:
Like all the servants the gardener did not like Sadao’s efforts to save a wounded
American
soldier. He felt it was unpatriotic to give shelter to a prisoner of war. He felt if his
master healed what first the gun and then the sea did, they would be avenged.
Question 8.
How did Dr. Sadao ensure that the American sailor left his house but he himself
remained safe and secure? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao offered his personal boat with food and extra clothing to the American
soldier when he left his house. He then advised the soldier to go to a nearby island
where no one lived and escape from there by boarding a Korean fishing boat. Dr.
Sadao then informed the General that the soldier had escaped.
Question 9.
Why did Hana wash the wounded soldier herself? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Hana had to wash the wounded soldier herself because Yumi, the maid, refused to
wash a ‘dirty white man’. Moreover Hana felt necessary to help her husband. Her
qualities of head and heart enable her to take a balanced view about the wounded
soldier, even though he was an American.
Question 10.
How does the writer indicate that Dr. Sadao’s father was a very traditional and
conventional man? (Delhi 2011)
Answer:
Though Dr. Sadao and Hana had fallen in love in America, he got married to her only
after his father approved of her. His father always wanted Sadao to get married to a
girl who was pure in her race. Dr. Sadao’s marriage to Hana was arranged by his
father in the old Japanese way indicating that he was a traditional and conventional
man.
Question 11.
How did Dr. Sadao plan the American prisoner’s escape? (Comptt. Delhi 2011)
Answer: Dr. Sadao made elaborate arrangements for the prisoner’s safe escape. The
prisoner was made to row to a nearby island where no one lived. All the necessary
things were given to him. He was told to signal two flashes if he ran out of food.
When Dr. Sadao received no signal, he was convinced the prisoner had escaped
safely.
Question 12.
Did Hana think the Japanese tortured their prisoners of war? Why? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
When Hana noticed the deep red scars on the American soldier’s neck, she
worriedly hoped that he had not been tortured by the Japanese. She knew it was a
common practice for the Japanese to torture their prisoners of war in the most
brutal manner.
Question 13.
Why had Hana to wash the wounded man herself? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Hana had to wash the wounded soldier herself because Yumi, the maid, refused to
wash a ‘dirty white man’. Moreover Hana felt necessary to help her husband. Her
qualities of head and heart enable her to take a balanced view about the wounded
soldier, even though he was an American. Question 14.
What help did Dr. Sadao seek from Hana while operating on the wounded white
man? (Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao sought Hana’s help while operating on the wounded white man. She
assisted Dr. Sadao during the operation even though she had never even witnessed
an operation before. She brought in the towels and though she was not comfortable
at the sight of the bleeding wound she gave anaesthesia to the patient.
Question 15.
Who sent a messenger to Dr. Sadao? What for? (Comptt. All India 2012)
Answer:
The old General sent a messenger to Dr. Sadao to inform him the General was in
pain again and needed Dr. Sadao’s immediate attention. The General preferred to
be treated by Dr. Sadao who had the reputation of being thoroughly professional in
his job.
Question 16.
What forced Dr. Sadao to be impatient and irritable with his patient? (All India 2013)
Answer:
Hana had never seen an operation and the sight of Dr. Sadao operating on the
soldier made her sick and she rushed out to the garden to retch. Dr. Sadao knew
how distressed Hana was and his inability to go to her made him impatient and
irritable with his patient because of whom he could not be with his wife.
Question 17.
In what context does Hana remember the cruel nature of General Takima? (All India
2013)
Answer:
Hana remembers General Takima who at home used to beat his wife cruelly though
no one now mentioned it ever since he had fought a victorious battle in Manchuria.
She inferred that if a man like him could be so cruel to a woman in his power, he
would be extremely cruel to the wounded American soldier.
Question 18.
What made a cool surgeon like Sadao speak sharply to his wife and what was her
reaction? (All India 2013)
Answer:
While Sadao was operating on the American soldier, Hana, his wife choked on
seeing so much blood. Dr. Sadao looked up and saw her sulphur coloured face. At
that moment he retorted sharply to his wife telling her not to faint. Hana clapped
her hands to her mouth and ran out of the garden to retch.
Question 19.
How nearly had Dr. Sadao missed marrying Hana? (Comptt. Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao had met Hana literally by chance at an American professor’s house. He
actually did not want to go there as the rooms of the house were small, the food
was bad and the professor’s wife was rather voluble. But nevertheless he had gone
and there he had found Hana.
Question 20.
In what condition was the American sailor when Dr. Sadao found him?(Comptt. All
India 2013)
Answer:
When Dr. Sadao found the American sailor the latter was badly wounded and
unconscious. Blood was flowing freshly when Dr. Sadao touched his wound. On the
right side of the sailor’s lower back Dr. Sadao saw that the gun wound had reopened
and the flesh was blackened with powder.
Question 21.
Do you think Dr. Sadao’s final decision was the best possible one in the
circumstances? Why/Why not? Explain with reference to the story, ‘The Enemy’.
(Delhi 2013)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao rose above narrow prejudices of race and country and not only saved the
young American soldier from dying, but also helped him to escape. Basic human
goodness overpowered Dr. Sadao and the final decision that he took was indeed the
best possible one in the circumstances. He could not hand over a dying man, even if
he was an enemy, to the police. The ethics of his profession had taught him to save
a dying man. His essential love for humanity and his sincerity towards his duty as a
doctor transcend all other narrow considerations. As a doctor, it was his duty to
save a dying man and so he put aside all other options and respected the ideals and
principles of his profession.
Question 22.
Why did Dr. Sadao treat the American soldier even though it was an unpatriotic act
on his part? (Comptt. All India 2014)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao rose above narrow prejudices of race and country and treated the
wounded American soldier. Basic human goodness overpowers him and he treats
the American soldier. Being a doctor, it was his duty to save a dying man even
though he belonged to the enemy’s camp.
Question 23.
Why did the General not order immediate arrest of Dr. Sadao who had sheltered a
white man? (Comptt. All India 2014)
Answer:
After knowing that Dr. Sadao had operated on the white man with such success, the
General realized how indispensable Dr. Sadao was to him. He was the only one who
could save him. So he could not let Dr. Sadao be arrested lest he required Dr.
Sadao’s medical expertise to save his own life.
Question 24.
How did Hana help Dr. Sadao? (Comptt. All India 2014)
Answer:
First Hana washes the wounded man’s face and body with warm water till it was
quite clean. She then assists Dr. Sadao during the operation even though she has
never even witnessed an operation before. She brings in the towels and though she
is not comfortable at the sight of the bleeding wound she gives anaesthesia to the
patient.
Question 25.
In what condition did Dr. Sadao find the American soldier at the seashore? (All India
2015)
Answer:
When Dr. Sadao first saw the American soldier at the sea shore, he was crawling on
his hands and knees and then he fell on his face. He was badly wounded and lay
motionless. Blood flowed freshly when Dr. Sadao touched his wound and the man
moaned in pain.
Question 26.
What role did the American professor play in bringing Hana and Sadao together? (All
India 2015)
Answer:
The American professor and his wife had been kind people who were anxious to do
something for their few foreign students and the students, though bored, accepted
this kindness. It was at the professor’s house that Dr. Sadao had met Hana, a new
student, and had felt that he would love her if it were at all possible.
Question 27.
What was Sadao’s father’s dream for him? How did Sadao realise it? (All India 2015)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao’s father had spent infinite pains on his only son and his education had
been his father’s chief concern. He had sent Dr. Sadao at the age of 22 to America
to learn all that could be learned of surgery and medicine. Before his father’s death,
Dr. Sadao ensured that he saw him not only as a surgeon but also as a scientist.
Question 28.
Dr. Sadao was a patriotic Japanese as well as a dedicated surgeon. How could he
honour both the values? (Delhi 2015)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao was indeed a patriotic Japanese as well as a dedicated surgeon. An
American run away prisoner in a badly wounded condition is washed ashore on
Japanese doctor Sadao’s doorstep. The doctor is initially a little hesitant to save the
prisoner’s life when he discovers the latter’s real identity. But being a dedicated
surgeon he decides to treat the enemy soldier. He is able to save the prisoner’s life
but being a patriotic Japanese he informs a superior Japanese Army General about
the prisoner’s presence in his house and even agrees to have him killed by the
General’s assassins. He waits for the assassins to carry out their job but when they
do not arrive, he gives the prisoner his boat and helps him to escape safely thus
honouring both the values that he was a pa-triotic Japanese as well as a dedicated
surgeon.
Question 29.
Dr. Sadao faced a dilemma. Should he use his surgical skills to save the life of a
wounded person or hand an escaped American P.O.W. over to the Japanese police?
How did he re-solve this clash of values? (All India 2015)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao gives priority to his professional ethics over his patriotism and uses his
surgical skills to save the life of a wounded man even though he belonged to the
enemy’s camp. He rises above narrow prejudices and realizes his duty as a doctor.
The surgeon in him instinctively inspires him to operate upon the dying soldier and
save his life. But he is also a responsible and patriotic citizen of his country so he
decides to inform a senior Japanese Army General about the prisoner’s presence in
his house and even agrees to have him killed by the General’s assassins. He even
spends three restless nights waiting for the assassins to carry out their job. But the
assassins did not arrive. In this way, Dr. Sadao is able to resolve the clash of his
values and appease his conscience of having done his duty as a responsible citizen
of his country.
Question 30.
How did the arrival of the prisoner destroy the peace of Sadao’s home? (Comptt.
Delhi 2015)
Answer:
The arrival of the prisoner does destroy the peace of Sadao’s home. At the onset Dr.
Sadao and his wife are anxious and confused whether they should save the
wounded soldier who they know is an American. The servants in Dr. Sadao’s house
are against his decision of harbouring a soldier from the enemy’s camp. Yumi
refuses to wash the American soldier as he was a white man. The cook and
gardener criticise Dr. Sadao and threaten to leave the house. Finally all the servants
leave Dr. Sadao’s home and Hana, Dr. Sadao’s wife stands by him but is in constant
terror. The messenger from the General frightens Hana. She fears her husband will
be condemned as a traitor. Dr. Sadao himself is in a dilemma. Being a patriotic
Japanese citizen he doubts the rightness of his act. It is only after the prisoner
leaves that things start getting normal in Dr. Sadao’s house.
Question 31.
What was his father’s chief concern about Dr. Sadao? (Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Sadao’s education was his father’s chief concern. For this reason he had sent Sadao
to America to learn all that could be learned about surgery and medicine. Before his
death he had seen Sadao become famous not only as a surgeon but as a scientist.
Question 32.
Why was Dr. Sadao not sent abroad along with the troops? (Delhi 2016)
Answer: Dr. Sadao was firstly perfecting a discovery which would render wounds
entirely clean, so he had not been sent abroad with the troops. Moreover, there was
a possibility that the old General might need an operation, and for this Dr. Sadao
was being kept in Japan.
Question 33.
Where, when and how did Dr. Sadao meet Hana? (Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao met Hana in America. He met her in the most casual way, literally by
chance, at an American professor’s house. The hospitable Professor Harley and his
wife were anxious to do something for the foreign students and thus had invited
them over. Dr. Sadao had actually nearly decided not to go to Professor Harley’s
house that night because of the bad food and the professor’s voluble wife, but
finally he had gone and there he had met Hana.
Question 34.
Where and how did Sadao meet Hana in America? (Comptt. Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao met Hana in America. He met her in the most casual way, literally by
chance, at an American professor’s house. The hospitable Professor Harley and his
wife were anxious to do something for the foreign students and thus had invited
them over. Dr. Sadao had actually nearly decided not to go to Professor Harley’s
house that night because of the bad food and the professor’s voluble wife, but
finally he had gone and there he had met Hana.
Question 35.
What did Dr. Sadao understand more about the wound on peering into it? (Comptt.
All India 2016)
Answer:
After peering into the American soldier’s wound Dr. Sadao understood that he had
been shot some days ago and had not been tended to. The bullets were still there in
his body, though they had not reached the kidney.
Question 36.
What dilemma did Dr. Sadao face? (Comptt. Delhi 2017)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao finds an unconscious wounded white soldier on a lonely coast near his
house. Since Japan was at war with America Dr. Sadao faces a dilemma between
national loyalty and his duty as a doctor. He is confused as to whether he should
hand over the enemy to the Japanese authorities, or being a doctor do his foremost
duty and attend to a wounded man and save his life.
Question 37.
Why did Dr. Sadao’s servants leave his service? (Comptt. Delhi 2017)
Answer:
Japan was at war with America. Dr. Sadao was nursing a wounded American soldier.
The servants did not approve of Dr. Sadao’s generosity who was trying to give an
American a new lease of life. They thought Dr. Sadao was doing a treacherous act
by helping the enemy, so their patriotic feelings made them leave Dr. Sadao’s
house.
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Question 38.
How did Dr. Sadao rise above narrow prejudices of race and country to help a
human being in need? (Delhi 2009)
Answer:
An American prisoner of war gets washed away to Japanese doctor, Sadao’s
doorstep. Being a doctor, Sadao gives top priority to saving the life of a dying man
despite the ongoing war between America and Japan and the fact that all Americans
were considered to be their enemies. Being a doctor, Sadao’s duty was to save a
dying man but saving an enemy would be an act of treachery. But the doctor not
only saved him from dying but did not even hand him over to the police. He rose
above narrow prejudices of race and country and helped the young soldier to
escape. Basic human goodness overpowers Dr. Sadao and he helps the wounded
soldier first by saving his life and then by arranging his escape, risking his own life
and reputation in the process.
Question 39.
Describe the difficulties faced by Dr. Sadao when he decided to help the enemy
soldier.(Delhi 2009)
Answer:
A wounded American soldier who was bleeding was washed away to Dr. Sadao’s
doorstep. Japan was at war with America and giving shelter to a U.S. soldier was an
anti¬national activity for which Dr. Sadao could be arrested. He could be severely
punished on charges of harbouring an enemy. Dr. Sadao also had to face open
defiance from his servants who refused to cooperate with him and his wife. They
wanted that “the white man ought to die”. Dr. Sadao was in a fix. He could not hand
over a dying man, even if he was an enemy, to the police and protecting him could
lead to Dr. Sadao’s arrest. But the ethics of his profession had taught him to save a
dying man irrespective of all things. So putting aside his dilemma he did what he
ought to do as a doctor. He not only operated upon and saved the enemy soldier but
also arranged for his escape.
Question 40.
Dr. Sadao was compelled by his duty as a doctor to help the enemy soldier. What
made Hana, his wife sympathies with him in the face of open defiance from the
domestic staff? (All India 2011)
Answer:
Hana embodies the concept of the perfect companion who joins hands with her
husband and renders all possible help to him to save the American soldier. When
her servants desert her she easily steps into their place and discharges the duties of
a maid and a governess most gracefully. In spite of all the tension and anxiety, she
displays a great sense of efficiency and knows how to conduct herself without losing
her cool. She is a cooperative and understanding wife who renders all possible help
to her husband to ensure that the operation is a success. The qualities of her
goodness of head and heart enable her to take a humane view about the wounded
soldier even though he is an American. She plays her role of a dutiful wife and the
mistress of the house with a lot of dignity and it was due to her sympathy and
cooperation that Dr. Sadao was able to save the dying enemy soldier.
Question 41.
What explains the attitude of the General in the matter of the enemy soldier? Was it
human consideration, lack of national loyalty, dere-lition of duty or simply self-
absorption? (All India 2011)
Answer:
The General is a self-absorbed man who is too involved with his own self. He being a
General, his illness and his fear of death are his main concern. It is quite surprising
that he fails to send his private assassins to kill the American soldier at Dr. Sadao’s
house. But here too he fears for his own self because he does not want the
assassins to even accidently cause any harm to Dr. Sadao and his wife as Dr. Sadao
was indispensable for his well-being and survival. So he feigns to be forgetful and
chooses not to send his assassins to eliminate the soldier. It is not neglect of duty or
lack of patriotism which is responsible for the General’s irresponsible attitude
towards the enemy soldier. It is simply his self-interest and self-absorption that
make | the General take a lenient attitude towards the j presence and escape of the
American soldier from Dr. Sadao’s house.
Question 42.
Draw a character sketch of the old General in the lesson, ‘The Enemy’. (All India
2011)
Answer:
The old General is a man whose personal considerations overweighted all other
considerations. Even though the Second World War was in progress and a doctor of
the calibre of Dr. Sadao would have proved to be a blessing for the wounded
soldiers on the front, he was retained in Japan because he was indispensable to the
General’s health and well being. Despite knowing about the presence of the
American soldier at Dr. Sadao’s house he refrains from sending his private assassins
to kill the enemy soldier. He understands Dr. Sadao’s importance for his own
survival and so does not want to take a chance in case the assassins accidently
harm Dr. Sadao or his wife. The General, therefore, comes across as a strange and
selfish person who is actually too preoccupied with his own self. He being a General,
his illness and his fear of death outweigh all his other considerations, even those
towards his country.
Question 43.
How did Dr. Sadao rise above narrow prejudices of race and country to help a
human being in need? (Comptt. All India 2011)
Answer:
An American prisoner of war gets washed away to Japanese doctor, Sadao’s
doorstep. Being a doctor, Sadao gives top priority to saving the life of a dying man
despite the ongoing war between America and Japan and the fact that all Americans
were considered to be their enemies. Being a doctor, Sadao’s duty was to save a
dying man but saving an enemy would be an act of treachery. But the doctor not
only saved him from dying but did not even hand him over to the police. He rose
above narrow prejudices of race and country and helped the young soldier to
escape. Basic human goodness overpowers Dr. Sadao and he helps the wounded
soldier first by saving his life and then by arranging his escape, risking his own life
and reputation in the process.
Question 44.
What impression do you form about Dr. Sadao as a man and as a surgeon on your
reading the chapter, ‘The Enemy’? (All India 2012)
Answer:
An American prisoner of war gets washed away to Japanese doctor, Sadao’s
doorstep. Being a doctor, Sadao gives top priority to saving the life of a dying man
despite the ongoing war between America and Japan and the fact that all Americans
were considered to be their enemies. Being a doctor, Sadao’s duty was to save a
dying man but saving an enemy would be an act of treachery. But the doctor not
only saved him from dying but did not even hand him over to the police. He rose
above narrow prejudices of race and country and helped the young soldier to
escape. Dr. Sadao’s basic human values give him the ability to rise above petty
prejudices. His essential love for humanity and his sincerity towards his duty
transcend all other narrow considerations. As a doctor it was his duty to save a
dying man so he put aside all other options and respected the ethics of his
profession.
Question 45.
Why did Sadao Hoki go to America? Narrate his experiences there. (All India 2012)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao was a dutiful son who was aware that his education was his father’s chief
con¬cern. So at the age of twenty-two Sadao’s father sent him to America to study
surgery and medicine. He had met his wife, Hana in America. He had ‘found’ Hana
casually and by chance at an American professor’s house. The professor and his
wife were kind people anx¬ious to help out their foreign students. Dr. Sadao had
gone to the professor’s house most reluctantly and there he had found Hana. He
had not married Hana heedlessly in America. The two had finished their work at
school, had come home to Japan and when his father had approved of her, their
marriage was arranged in the traditional Japanese way. Dr. Sadao had returned from
America at the age of thirty as a full-fledged qualified surgeon.
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Question 46.
Why did Sadao help the American soldier to escape? How did he do it? (All India
2012)
Answer:
After saving the life of the American soldier Dr. Sadao could not hand him over to
the police and once again throw him into the jaws of death. If he did this his whole
purpose of saving a dying man would be defeated. So, Dr. Sadao decided to help
the soldier to escape. He made elaborate arrangements for the soldier’s safe
escape. He was made to row the doctor’s own stout boat to a nearby island. All
necessary things were provided to him and he was told to signal two flashes if he
ran short of supplies. He was also instructed not to signal in darkness for it could be
seen. He was to wait for a Korean fishing boat and not to take the help of any other
boat for his escape. Finally when Dr. Sadao received no signal from him at the
appointed hour he was convinced that the soldier had escaped safely.
Question 47.
Dr. Sadao was more a dutiful doctor than a loyal citizen. Substantiate the statement
by quoting suitable evidence from the story,’The Enemy’. (Comptt. Delhi 2012)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao is a dutiful doctor and when it comes to commitment towards his
profession even his obligation towards his country becomes secondary to him. He
brings back to life a man who is on the verge of death without caring about the fact
that the person whose life he is saving is a soldier of the enemy camp. It is
Dr.Sadao’s conscience and professional ethics that supercede his patriotism and so
he saves the American soldier. He rises above narrow prejudices as he realizes his
job as a doctor is to save a life and not to take it away. Even after he told the
General everything about the American soldier he felt restless for three consecutive
nights at the thought that he was actually waiting for someone to be killed. Finally,
he decided to help the soldier to escape so that he could be at peace with himself
and put his mind to rest.
Question 48.
What was the General’s plan to get rid of the American prisoner? Was it executed?
What traits of the General’s character are highlighted in the lesson ‘The Enemy’?
(All India 2014)
Answer:
The General told Dr. Sadao that the best thing would be to kill the soldier quietly
and volunteered to help Dr. Sadao in it. The General planned to send two of his own
private assassins to Dr. Sadao’s house at night. Dr. Sadao need to know nothing
about it. According to the General’s plan, Dr. Sadao should just leave the outer
partition of the white man’s room open to the garden so as to enable the assassins
to enter his room. The assassins would make no noise and they knew the trick of
inward bleeding and the General would also ensure that they removed the white
man’s body. But the General’s plan was not executed. The General is a selfish and
cruel man with no human consideration. He comes across as a self-centred person
who is solely preoccupied with his own interests. Despite being a General, his illness
and his fear of death overweight all other considerations, even those of his country.
Question 49.
Explain the reactions of the servants in Dr. Sadao’s house when he decided to give
shelter to an enemy in the house. (All India 2014)
Answer:
The servants in Dr. Sadao’s house were openly defiant to the fact that he had
decided to give shelter to an enemy in the house. They did not even enter the
American soldier’s room and did not want to stay in the same house where the
enemy soldier was lodged. They doubted their master’s very loyalty towards his
own country. Though they were mindful of their courtesies but their eyes were cold.
Yumi refused to clean the enemy soldier. The old gardener was sore that Dr. Sadao
had not let the young man bleed and die. He felt if his master healed what first the
gun and then the sea did, they would be avenged. The cook too was most
contemptuous of the fact that their master was so proud of his skill to save life that
he saved any person’s life even though he was their enemy. Finally all the servants
left Dr. Sadao’s house together.
Question 50.
What conflicting ideas arise in Dr. Sadao’s mind after he has brought the wounded
American soldier home? How is the conflict resolved? (Comptt. Delhi 2014)
Answer:
An American prisoner of war gets washed away to Japanese doctor, Sadao’s
doorstep. Being a doctor, Sadao gives top priority to saving the life of a dying man
despite the ongoing war between America and Japan and the fact that all Americans
were considered to be their enemies. Being a doctor, Sadao’s duty was to save a
dying man but saving an enemy would be an act of treachery. It is Dr. Sadao’s
conscience and professional ethics that supercede his patriotism and so he saves
the American soldier. He rises above narrow prejudices as he realizes his job as a
doctor is to save a life and not to take it away. Even after he told the General
everything about the American soldier he felt restless for three consecutive nights
at the thought that he was actually waiting for someone to be killed. But the doctor
not only saved him from dying but did not even hand him over to the police. He rose
above narrow prejudices of race and country and helped the young soldier to
escape. Basic human goodness overpowers Dr. Sadao and he helps the wounded
soldier first by saving his life and then by arranging his escape, risking his own life
and reputation in the process.
Question 51.
A doctor is supposed to be gentle and humane. How did Sadao show these qualities
in the story, “The Enemy”? (Comptt. Delhi 2016)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao is gentle and humane. When he came to know that the stranger was an
American soldier, he wanted to throw him back into the sea but could not. So he
took him to treat him although he belonged to the enemy’s camp. Then he decided
to hand the soldier over to the police after he had operated upon him and saved his
life, but in the end was unable to do so. Instead he gave him proper post-operative
treatment. He risked his and his family’s life by giving the stranger shelter. He even
risked the resentment and wrath of his servants who were so upset with him for
harbouring a soldier from the enemy’s camp that they left his house. Finally, Dr.
Sadao gave the soldier his own boat, food and clothing and told him to sail to a
nearby island and save himself. Dr. Sadao was not a traitor but could not let
someone, whom he had saved himself, die.
Question 52.
Describe how Dr. Sadao met his life partner in America. (Comptt. All India 2016)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao was a dutiful son who was aware that his education was his father’s chief
con¬cern. So at the age of twenty-two Sadao’s father sent him to America to study
surgery and medicine. He had met his wife, Hana in America. He had ‘found’ Hana
casually and by chance at an American professor’s house. The professor and his
wife were kind people anx¬ious to help out their foreign students. Dr. Sadao had
gone to the professor’s house most reluctantly and there he had found Hana. He
had not married Hana heedlessly in America. The two had finished their work at
school, had come home to Japan and when his father had approved of her, their
marriage was arranged in the traditional Japanese way. Dr. Sadao had returned from
America at the age of thirty as a full-fledged qualified surgeon.
Question 53.
Good human values are far above any other value system. How did Dr. Sadao
succeed as a doctor as well as a patriot? (Delhi 2017)
Answer:
Dr. Sadao is not only a good doctor but also a patriot. As a citizen of Japan Dr. Sadao
was expected to be loyal to his country but as a doctor it was his foremost duty to
save a life. Dr. Sadao was indeed a patriotic Japanese as well as a dedicated
surgeon. An American run away prisoner in a badly wounded condition is washed
ashore on Japanese doctor Sadao’s doorstep. The doctor is initially a little hesitant
to save the prisoner’s life when he discovers the latter’s real identity. But being a
dedicated surgeon he decides to treat the enemy soldier. He is able to save the
prisoner’s life but being a patriotic Japanese he informs a superior Japanese Army
General about the prisoner’s presence in his house and even agrees to have him
killed by the General’s assassins. He waits for the assassins to carry out their job
but when they do not arrive, he gives the prisoner his boat and helps him to escape
safely thus honouring both the values that he was a patriotic Japanese as well as a
dedicated surgeon.
Question 54.
How did Dr. Sadao face the dilemma he came across in his life? What light does it
throw on his character? (Comptt. All India 2017)
Answer:
An American prisoner of war gets washed away to Japanese doctor, Sadao’s
doorstep. Being a doctor, Sadao gives top priority to saving the life of a dying man
despite the ongoing war between America and Japan and the fact that all Americans
were considered to be their enemies. Being a doctor, Sadao’s duty was to save a
dying man but saving an enemy would be an act of treachery. But the doctor not
only saved him from dying but did not even hand him over to the police. He rose
above narrow prejudices of race and country and helped the young soldier to
escape. Dr. Sadao’s basic human values give him the ability to rise above petty
prejudices. His essential love for humanity and his sincerity towards his duty
transcend all other narrow considerations. As a doctor it was his duty to save a
dying man so he put aside all other options and respected the ethics of his
profession.