CBSE Class 12 Letter Writing Format 2026–27: Samples & Marking Scheme

CBSE Class 12 English Core · 2026–27

Prepare for the five-mark letter-writing question. This guide explains the two letter types prescribed for CBSE Class 12 English Core—letters to the editor and job applications with bio-data or a résumé. It includes formats, model answers, word-count guidance and common mistakes.

In the CBSE Class 12 English Core examination, students write a letter based on verbal or visual input. The prescribed types include a letter to the editor, expressing an opinion or suggesting solutions to a public issue, and a job application with bio-data or a résumé.

The 2026–27 syllabus specifies approximately 120–150 words and awards 5 marks for this question. Check the current official syllabus and the instructions on your question paper.

Official source: CBSE English Core syllabus, 2026–27 (PDF).

Word-count note: Model-letter counts below refer to the letter body, not the addresses, date, subject or salutation/closing. In a job-application question, the bio-data or résumé is a separate enclosure. Follow the specific instructions in the question.

Contents

• Marking scheme
• Letter to the editor
• Job application
• Bio-data or résumé
• Solved model letters
• Common mistakes
• Final checklist

1. CBSE marking scheme: 5 marks

Assessment area	Marks	What is assessed
Format	1	Appropriate layout and required elements.
Organisation of ideas	1	Logical order, clear paragraphs and coherence.
Content	2	Relevant details and coverage of the prompt.
Accuracy	1	Grammar, spelling and punctuation.

These components are listed in the official 2026–27 syllabus. Correct format alone is not enough: the letter must address the prompt and express ideas clearly.

2. Letter to the editor: format

1. Sender’s address
2. Date
3. The Editor, newspaper name and city
4. Subject line
5. Salutation: Dear Sir/Madam
6. Opening: identify the issue and purpose
7. Middle: explain causes, effects and relevant details
8. Conclusion: offer practical suggestions and request action
9. Complimentary close and name

Use a formal, factual and constructive tone. A direct opening is fine; elaborate phrases such as “through the columns of your esteemed newspaper” are optional, not compulsory.

3. Job application: format

1. Sender’s address and date
2. Receiver’s designation, organisation and address
3. Subject: Application for the post of …
4. Salutation
5. Opening: identify the advertised post and source of advertisement
6. Middle: mention relevant qualifications, skills and experience from the prompt
7. Closing: refer to the enclosed bio-data/résumé and express willingness to attend an interview
8. Complimentary close, name and enclosure note

Keep the application letter concise. Do not repeat a full career history in the letter when it can be shown in the separate résumé.

4. Bio-data or résumé: what to include

Use the information provided in the question. Follow its wording—“bio-data” or “résumé”—and present the information clearly.

Section	Possible details
Contact details	Name, address, phone and email, where supplied or required.
Education	Examination/degree, board or university, year and marks/grade.
Relevant experience	Employment, internship, training or volunteering relevant to the post.
Skills	Skills relevant to the advertised role.
References	Include only if the prompt asks for them or supplies them.

Important: Do not assume a father’s name, date of birth or references are compulsory in every résumé. Never invent qualifications, marks or experience that are not supplied in the question.

5. Solved model letters

These are original practice examples. Names, addresses and situations are fictional. Word counts are approximate and exclude the address, date, subject, salutation and closing.

Model 1: Poorly maintained public parks

Question: Write to the editor of a national daily highlighting the poor condition of public parks and suggesting improvements.

22, Green Apartments
Pune

25 October 2026

The Editor
The Indian Express
Pune

Subject: Poor maintenance of public parks

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to draw the attention of the municipal authorities to the deteriorating condition of public parks in our locality. The walking paths are damaged, litter is scattered across the grounds, and several swings and slides are broken. Inadequate lighting also makes the parks unsafe after sunset.

These spaces are important for children, senior citizens and residents who need a safe place to exercise. Their neglect discourages public use and creates unhygienic conditions. Residents’ complaints have so far produced little improvement.

The authorities should arrange regular cleaning, repair playground equipment, install adequate lights and inspect the parks periodically. A public helpline could help residents report problems and track action taken. I hope your newspaper will draw attention to this issue and encourage prompt remedial measures.

Yours faithfully,
Renu Mathur
A concerned resident

Letter body: approximately 140 words.

Model 2: Reckless driving by delivery riders

Question: Write to the editor about reckless driving by delivery riders, explaining the risks and suggesting solutions.

B-101, Prestige Towers
Bengaluru

25 October 2026

The Editor
The Deccan Herald
Bengaluru

Subject: Unsafe driving by delivery riders

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to highlight the growing problem of unsafe driving by delivery riders in our locality. Some riders speed through residential streets, ride on footpaths and ignore traffic signals while trying to meet delivery deadlines. This behaviour puts pedestrians, particularly children and older people, at risk.

Delivery services are important, but speed should never take priority over public safety. Companies should train riders in road safety and avoid performance targets that encourage dangerous driving. Traffic police should enforce existing rules consistently, especially near schools, markets and crossings.

I request the authorities and delivery platforms to work together on this issue. Public awareness, safer delivery targets and fair enforcement can help prevent accidents without disrupting essential services. I hope your newspaper will bring this concern to the attention of the relevant authorities.

Yours faithfully,
Rohan Gupta
A resident

Letter body: approximately 143 words.

Model 3: Water conservation

Question: Write to the editor suggesting ways to conserve water and address water scarcity in your city.

12, Malabar Hill
Mumbai

25 October 2026

The Editor
The Times of India
Mumbai

Subject: Need for effective water conservation

Dear Sir/Madam,

I wish to draw public attention to the need for conserving water in our city. During periods of shortage, households and communities face inconvenience, yet water is often wasted through leaking taps, careless washing and inefficient use.

Residents can help by repairing leaks, using buckets instead of running hoses, reusing suitable household water for gardening and avoiding unnecessary wastage. Housing societies should check plumbing regularly and educate residents about responsible consumption.

The municipal authorities should repair leaking public pipelines promptly, promote rainwater harvesting where feasible and publish clear guidance on conservation. Schools and local organisations can also conduct awareness campaigns. Water security requires both reliable public infrastructure and responsible daily habits. I hope your newspaper will encourage residents and officials to take practical action before shortages become more severe.

Yours faithfully,
A. D’Souza
A concerned resident

Letter body: approximately 142 words.

Model 4: Application for a school library assistant

Question: You are Sana Khan of 18, Ashok Vihar, Jaipur. Apply for a Library Assistant vacancy. Use these details: Class XII (2026), good English and basic computer skills, and two years volunteering in your school library.

18, Ashok Vihar
Jaipur

25 October 2026

The Manager
City Learning Centre
Jaipur

Subject: Application for the post of Library Assistant

Dear Sir/Madam,

With reference to your advertisement for the post of Library Assistant, I wish to apply for the position. I completed Class XII in 2026 and have a strong interest in reading, organising books and helping students locate learning resources.

For the past two years, I have volunteered in my school library, where I assisted with shelving books, maintaining records and helping students. I also have basic computer skills and communicate clearly in English. These experiences have prepared me to support the daily work of your learning centre.

I am enclosing my résumé for your consideration and would welcome an opportunity to discuss my suitability for the post. Thank you for considering my application.

Yours faithfully,
Sana Khan
Encl.: Résumé

Letter body: approximately 132 words.

Enclosure: Résumé

Name	Sana Khan
Address	18, Ashok Vihar, Jaipur
Education	Class XII, 2026
Experience	School Library Volunteer, two years
Skills	Basic computer skills, English communication, book shelving and record maintenance

Illustrative résumé only. In an examination, use the qualifications and experience supplied in the question.

Model 5: Application for an office assistant trainee

Question: Apply for a trainee office assistant position. Use a fictional Class XII candidate profile with basic computer skills and school-level experience organising records.

31, Shastri Nagar
Lucknow

25 October 2026

The HR Officer
Northstar Services
Lucknow

Subject: Application for the post of Office Assistant Trainee

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in response to your advertisement for an Office Assistant Trainee. I am a Class XII student with an interest in office administration and the basic computer skills required for routine clerical work.

During school activities, I have helped organise event lists, maintain simple records and prepare documents using word-processing software. These tasks have strengthened my attention to detail, teamwork and ability to complete assigned work on time. I am willing to learn your office procedures and follow instructions carefully.

I have enclosed a brief résumé for your consideration. I would be grateful for an opportunity to attend an interview and explain how I could contribute to your team. Thank you for your time.

Yours faithfully,
Arjun Mehta
Encl.: Résumé

Letter body: approximately 130 words.

6. Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing points from the prompt: identify the issue, causes, effects and requested suggestions before writing.
• Ignoring the word limit: practise a focused letter of approximately 120–150 words.
• Mixing the letter and résumé: present the résumé as a separate enclosure when required.
• Inventing details: do not add unsupported degrees, marks, experience or statistics.
• Using ornate phrases excessively: formal writing should be clear and courteous.
• Writing one long paragraph: separate purpose, supporting details and conclusion.
• Forgetting format elements: check address, date, receiver, subject, salutation and closing.
• Using the wrong tone: be constructive in a letter to the editor and professional in a job application.

7. Final exam checklist

• Have I identified the correct letter type?
• Have I included the required format elements?
• Have I addressed every important point in the question?
• Is the letter approximately 120–150 words?
• Are the ideas logically organised into paragraphs?
• Is the tone formal and appropriate?
• Have I checked grammar, spelling and punctuation?
• If a résumé is required, have I kept it separate and used only relevant details?

Remember: Format earns only part of the marks. Relevant content, clear organisation and accurate language matter just as much. Read the prompt carefully, use the information provided, make practical points and write concise, correct English.

For the latest requirements, consult the official CBSE Academic website and the syllabus applicable to your examination session. This guide is a learning resource, not an official CBSE marking key.

Evans Tries An O-Level - English Core - Class XII - MCQs - Summary Q&A Solved

About the Author

Colin Dexter first saw the light of day in Stamford, Lincolnshire, where his parents, Alfred and Dorothy Dexter, welcomed him into the world. In his family constellation were an elder brother named John, who, like Colin, was a connoisseur of classics and taught the subject at The King's School in Peterborough. A sister by the name of Avril also graced the family. Alfred, the patriarch, operated a modest garage and taxi establishment located on Scotgate in Stamford.

Dexter's educational journey began at St. John's Infants School, followed by Bluecoat Junior School, where his academic prowess earned him a scholarship to Stamford School—a prestigious boys' public institution. It was here that he encountered M. J. K. Smith, renowned not only as England's international cricket captain but also as a prominent figure in international rugby.

The year 1996 brought recognition to Dexter in the form of a Macavity Award for his compelling short story "Evans Tries an O-Level." In 1980, he received the honor of becoming a member of the exclusive Detection Club through invitation only. An important milestone occurred in 2005 when Dexter was granted the distinction of being elected as a Fellow by Special Election at St Cross College, Oxford.

Dexter's contributions to literature were acknowledged in 2000 with the bestowal of an Officer of the Order of the British Empire title. The year 2001 further added to his accolades as he was granted the esteemed Freedom of the City of Oxford. September 2011 marked a notable occasion, as the University of Lincoln conferred upon Dexter an honorary Doctor of Letters degree—a testament to his influence and achievements.

Theme

The story "Evans Tries an 'O' Level" centers around a clever plan orchestrated by a prisoner. This prisoner pretends to be participating in a language exam while actually using it as a ruse to carry out a daring escape from prison. What's noteworthy is that even though the prisoner gets caught in the process, he still manages to outwit his captors and ultimately succeeds in making his escape. This adds an element of irony to the situation, as the prisoner's escape becomes a surprising twist despite the obstacles he faces.

Justification of the Title

In the narrative, the term "O-Level" pertains to a fundamental examination. This specific test serves as the focal point of Evans' triumphant escape. It's under the pretext of participating in the O-level exam for the German language that Evans strategizes and effectively carries out his successful getaway.

Characters

1. The secretary of the examinations board.
2. The Governor of the H.M. Prison Oxford.
3. James Roderick Evans (Popularly known as Evans the break, the protagonist of the story) and a prisoner.
4. Mr Stephens, a Prison Officer
5. Mr Jackson, a Prison Officer
6. Stuart McLerry- An Invigilator (Parson)
7. Mr Carter – Detective Superintendent
8. Mr Bell- Detective Chief Inspector

Summary of "Evans Tries an O-Level" by Colin Dexter:

The story revolves around James Evans, a cunning prisoner at Oxford Prison, known for his multiple escape attempts. He expresses a desire to take the O-Level exam in German, raising suspicion among the prison authorities. The prison governor, determined to prevent Evans from using the exam as an opportunity to escape, takes several precautions, including strict surveillance and frisking the invigilator, Reverend Stuart McLeery.

However, despite these measures, Evans manages to pull off a brilliant escape. Disguised as McLeery, who was supposedly injured, Evans tricks the prison officers into believing he was the invigilator. The real McLeery is found bound and gagged later. The authorities are misled into chasing after false clues, and Evans successfully escapes.

In a twist, the governor later finds Evans at a hotel, but due to a final oversight, Evans manages to escape again, this time with the help of his friends. The story ends with Evans getting the last laugh as he escapes once more.

"Evans Tries an O-Level" की हिंदी में कहानी सारांश:

कहानी ऑक्सफ़ोर्ड जेल के कैदी जेम्स इवांस के बारे में है, जो अपने कई बार जेल से भागने के लिए जाना जाता है। इवांस ओ-लेवल की जर्मन परीक्षा देने की इच्छा व्यक्त करता है, जिससे जेल अधिकारियों को संदेह होता है। जेल अधीक्षक उसकी परीक्षा के दौरान भागने से रोकने के लिए कड़े इंतजाम करते हैं, जिसमें इवांस के सेल की निगरानी और परीक्षा कक्ष में माइक्रोफोन लगाने जैसी व्यवस्था शामिल है।

हालांकि, सभी एहतियातों के बावजूद, इवांस एक होशियारी से तैयार की गई योजना के तहत सफलतापूर्वक भाग जाता है। वह परीक्षा निरीक्षक स्टुअर्ट मैक्लीरी का वेश धारण करता है और खुद को घायल दिखाता है। जेल के अधिकारी उसे असली निरीक्षक समझकर उसे बाहर ले जाते हैं। असली मैक्लीरी बाद में बंधा हुआ पाया जाता है।

कहानी के अंत में, जब जेल अधीक्षक इवांस को एक होटल में पकड़ता है, तो वह फिर से एक गलती करता है जिससे इवांस दोबारा भागने में सफल हो जाता है। कहानी इवांस की होशियारी और अंतिम हंसी के साथ समाप्त होती है।

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"Evans Tries an O-Level" کا اردو میں خلاصہ:

یہ کہانی جیمز ایوانز کی ہے، جو آکسفورڈ جیل کا ایک چالاک قیدی ہے، جو کئی بار جیل سے فرار ہو چکا ہے۔ وہ او-لیول کی جرمن امتحان دینے کی خواہش ظاہر کرتا ہے، جس پر جیل کے حکام کو شبہ ہوتا ہے۔ جیل کے گورنر ایوانز کی امتحان کے دوران نگرانی کے لیے سخت احتیاطی تدابیر اپناتے ہیں، جیسے کہ اس کے سیل کی نگرانی اور امتحان کے کمرے میں مائیکروفون نصب کرنا۔

تاہم، ایوانز بڑی ہوشیاری سے تیار کی گئی ایک منصوبہ بندی کے تحت کامیابی سے فرار ہو جاتا ہے۔ وہ امتحان کے انویجیلیٹر سٹیورٹ میکلری کا بہروپ اختیار کرتا ہے اور خود کو زخمی ظاہر کرتا ہے۔ جیل کے حکام اسے اصل انویجیلیٹر سمجھ کر باہر لے جاتے ہیں۔ بعد میں اصل میکلری کو باندھا ہوا پایا جاتا ہے۔

کہانی کے آخر میں، جب جیل کا گورنر ایوانز کو ایک ہوٹل میں پکڑتا ہے، تو وہ ایک بار پھر غلطی کرتا ہے، اور ایوانز دوبارہ فرار ہونے میں کامیاب ہو جاتا ہے۔ کہانی ایوانز کی چالاکی اور آخری کامیابی کے ساتھ ختم ہوتی ہے۔

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Comprehension Questions and Answers:

1. What kind of person was Evans?

   • Evans was a clever and cunning prisoner known for his multiple escapes. Despite appearing harmless, he was a master at manipulating situations to his advantage. His knack for escaping earned him the nickname "Evans the Break."

2. What precautions were taken for the smooth conduct of the examination?

   • The prison authorities took several precautions to prevent Evans from escaping. His cell was thoroughly checked, officers were posted nearby, and even the invigilator, Reverend McLeery, was frisked before entering the cell. A microphone was also placed in Evans's cell to allow the Governor to listen to the proceedings.

3. How did Evans escape from the prison?

   • Evans cleverly disguised himself as Reverend McLeery after incapacitating the real invigilator. He faked an injury, convincing the prison officers to help him leave the prison under the guise of taking him to the hospital. The prison staff failed to recognize the impersonation, allowing Evans to escape.

4. What could the Governor have done to securely bring back Evans to prison when he caught him at the Golden Lion?

   • The Governor could have taken stricter measures, such as ensuring that Evans was handcuffed securely and personally overseeing his transport back to the prison. Instead, his lack of caution and overconfidence allowed Evans to escape once again.

5. Reflecting on the story, what did you feel about Evans’ having the last laugh?

   • Evans' final escape, despite the Governor’s efforts, emphasizes his cunning nature and intelligence. While the Governor had moments of victory, his underestimation of Evans led to his failure, allowing Evans to have the last laugh.

6. When Stephens comes back to the cell, he jumps to a conclusion, and the whole machinery blindly goes by his assumption. Does this show how hasty conjectures can prevent one from seeing the obvious?

   • Yes, Stephens' assumption that the injured man was McLeery, without verifying his identity, demonstrates how hasty decisions can lead to serious consequences. Evans had anticipated this negligence, using it to his advantage.

7. While we condemn the crime, we are sympathetic to the criminal. Is this the reason why prison staff often develop a soft corner for those in custody?

   • Prison staff might develop a soft corner for prisoners due to prolonged interactions and understanding of their circumstances. However, this sympathy can sometimes cloud their judgment, as seen with the Governor, who underestimated Evans' capacity for escape.

8. Do you agree that between crime and punishment, it is mainly a battle of wits?

   • Yes, in this story, the entire episode is a battle of wits between Evans and the prison authorities. Evans outsmarts the system through his clever planning, while the authorities, despite their efforts, fail to anticipate his ingenuity.

 Multiple Choice Question and Extract Base Questions on 'Evans Tries an O-Level

Claas 12 - English Core - Vistas - Chapter 04 - The Enemy by Pearl S. Buck

Summary of 'The Enemy' by Pearl S. Buck

"The Enemy" by Pearl S. Buck is a story set during World War II, in which Dr. Sadao Hoki, a Japanese surgeon, finds an American prisoner of war washed ashore in a dying state. He takes the man in and nurses him back to health despite knowing he could be punished for helping the enemy. As the man recovers, Dr. Hoki is faced with a difficult decision: should he turn him over to the Army as a patriot, or should he save him as a doctor? The story explores themes of morality, duty, and the conflict between personal and national loyalties.

READ AND FIND OUT

 
Q1. Who was Dr Sadao? Where was his house?

Answer. 

Dr Sadao Hoki was an eminent Japanese surgeon and scientist. He had spent eight valuable years of his youth in America to learn all that could be learnt of surgery and medicine there. He was perfecting a discovery which would render wounds entirely clean.

Dr Sadao’s house was built on rocks well above a narrow beach that was outlined with bent pines. It was on a spot of the Japanese coast.

Q2. Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy?

Answer. 

Dr Sadao knew that they would be arrested if they sheltered a white man in their house. The wounded man was a prisoner of war who had escaped with a bullet on his back. Since Japan was at war with America, harbouring an enemy meant being a traitor to Japan. Dr Sadao could be arrested if anyone complained against him and accused him of harbouring an enemy.

Q3. Will Hana help the wounded man and wash him herself?

Answer. 

The gardener and the cook were frightened that their master was going to heal the wound of a white man—an enemy. They felt that after being cured he (the white man) will take revenge on the Japanese. Yumi, the maid, was also frightened. She refused to wash the white man. Hana rebuked the maid who had refused to wash a wounded helpless man. Then she dipped a small dean towel into the steaming hot water and washed the white man’s face. She kept on washing him until his upper body was quite dean. But she dared not turn him over.

Q4. What will Dr Sadao and his wife do with the man?

Answer. 

Dr Sadao and his wife, Hana, had told the servants that they only wanted to bring the man to his senses so that they could turn him over as a prisoner. They knew that the best possible course under the circumstances was to put him back into the sea. However, Dr Sadao was against handing over a wounded man to the police. He dedded to carry him into his house. He operated upon him and extracted the bullet from his body. He kept the white man in his house. He and his wife looked after him and fed him till he was strong enough to walk on his legs. .

Q5. Will Dr Sadao be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy?

Answer. 

It was the seventh day since Dr Sadao had operated upon the young white man. Early that morning, their three servants left together. In the afternoon, a messenger came there in official uniform. He told Dr Sadao that he had to come to the palace at once as the old General was in pain again.

Hana, who had thought that the officer had come to arrest Dr Sadao, asked the messenger, “Is that all?” The baffled messenger enquired if that was not enough. She tried to cover her mistake by expressing regret and admitted that the General’s illness was enough. Dr Sadao told the General about the white man he had operated upon. Since Dr Sadao was indispensable to the General, he promised that Dr Sadao would not be arrested.

Q6. What will Dr Sadao do to get rid of the man?

Answer.

Dr Sadao had told the old General that he had operated upon a white man. The General promised to send his private assassins to kill the man silently and secretly at night and remove his body. Dr Sadao left the outer partition of white man’s room open. He waited anxiously for three nights. The servants had left their house. His wife Hana had to cook, clean the house and serve the wounded man. She was unaccustomed to this labour. She was anxious that they should get rid of the man.

Dr Sadao told Tom, the white man, that he was quite well then. He offered to put his boat on the shore that night. It would have food and extra clothing in it. Tom might be able to row to the little island which was not far from the coast. It had not been fortified. The .water was quite deep. Nobody lived there, as it was submerged in storm. Since it was not the season of storm, he could live there till he saw a Korean fishing boat pass by. He gave the man his flashlight. He was to signal twice with his flashlight at sunset in case his food ran out. In case, he was still there and all right, he was to signal only once.

Dr Sadao gave the man Japanese clothes and covered his blond head with a black doth. In short, Dr Sadao helped the man to escape from Japan. At the same time he also got rid of the man.

READING WITH INSIGHT

Q1.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.

Answer. 

Dr Sadao Hoki faces a dilemma when he finds the body of an unconscious wounded white man lying on the lonely coast with dangerous rocks near his house. His first reaction was that the person was perhaps a fisherman who had been washed from his boat. He ran quickly down the steps. His wife, Hana came behind him. When they came near, Sadao found that the man was wounded and lay motionless. His face was in the sand. As they saw his face, they found that he was a white man with long yellow hair and a rough yellow beard.

Being an expert surgeon, Dr Sadao saw that the man had a gun-wound on the right side of his lower back. He at once packed the wound with sea moss to stanch the fearful bleeding. Since Japan was at war with America, the white man was an enemy. Dr Sadao muttered, “What shall we do with this man?” He answered the question himself, “The best thing that we could do would be to put him back in the sea.” His wife approved of his decision.

Then Sadao made another observation. If they sheltered a white man in their house they would be arrested and if they turned him over as a prisoner, he would certainly die. Hana still insisted on putting him back into the sea. From his battered cap, Dr Sadao concluded that he was a sailor from an American warship. The man was a prisoner of war. He had escaped and that was why he was wounded in the back..

Hana asked if they were able to put him back into the sea. Sadao then said that if the man was whole he could turn the man over to the police without difficulty. He cared nothing for the man. He was their enemy. All Americans were their ‘enemy’. But since he was wounded… Hana understood his dilemma and realised that in the conflict between his sense of national loyalty and his duty as a doctor, it was the latter which proved dominant. Since Sadao too could not throw him back to the sea, the only course left for them was to carry him to their house. Sadao enquired about the reaction of the servants.

Hana said that they would, tell the servants that they intended to give the man to the police. She told Sadao that they must do so. They had to think of the children and the doctor’s position. It would endanger all of them if they did not give that man over as a prisoner of war.

Sadao agreed and promised that he would not think of doing anything else.

Q2. Dr Sadao was compelled by his 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?

Answer. 

Dr Sadao and his wife, Hana, together lifted the wounded man and carried him to an empty bedroom in their house. The man was very dirty. Sadao suggested that he had better be washed. He offered to do so if she would fetch water. Hana was against it. She suggested that the maid, Yumi, could wash the man. They would have to tell the servants. Dr Sadao examined the man again and remarked that the man would die unless he was operated upon at once. He left the room to bring his surgical instruments.

The servants did not approve of their master’s decision to heal the wound of a white man. Even Yumi refused to wash the white man. There was so fierce a look of resistance upon Yumi’s round dull face that Hana felt unreasonably afraid. Then she said with dignity that they only wanted to bring him to his senses so that they would turn him over as a prisoner. However, Yumi refused to have anything to do with him. Hana asked Yumi gently to return to her work.

The open defiance from the domestic staff hurt Hana’s feelings. She had told the servants to do what their master commanded them. She was convinced of her own superiority. She now became sympathetic to her husband and helped him in his efforts to heal the wounded man. Though the sight of the white man was repulsive to her, she washed his face and his upper body. She prepared herself to give him the anaesthetic according to her husband’s instructions. She had never seen an operation. She choked and her face turned pale like sulphur. She felt like vomiting and left for a while. She returned after retching and administered anaesthetic to the man. Thus she co-operated with her husband fully to save the wounded man.

Q3. How would you explain the reluctance of the soldier to leave the shelter of the doctor’s home even when he knew he couldn’t stay there without risk to the doctor and himself?

Answer. 

On the third day after the operation, the young man asked Dr Sadao what he was going to do with him and if he was going to hand him over. Dr Sadao said that he did not know himself what he would do with the mem. He ought to hand him over to the police as he was a prisoner of war.

The young man saw that Dr Sadao and his wife Hana were different from other Japanese. They spoke English well, looked after him and served him food. Seven days after the operation of the man, Dr Sadao was called to the palace to see the General. Hana thought that the police had come to arrest Dr Sadao. Dr Sadao confided in the General and he (General) promised to send his personal assassins to kill the man and remove his body. Dr Sadao waited for three nights. Nothing happened. Then he made a plan to let the prisoner escape. He told Tom, the young American, about it. The young man stared at him and asked if he had to leave. It seemed he was reluctant to leave. Dr Sadao told him that he should understand everything clearly. It was not hidden that he was there and this situation was full of risk for himself as well as for the doctor and his family. Thus it is quite clear that the reluctance of the soldier was caused by the single motive of self-preservation. He knew from the treatment he had received from the couple that they would save him.

Q4. What explains the attitude of the General in the matter of the enemy soldier? Was it human consideration, lack of national loyalty, dereliction of duty or simply self-absorption?

Answer. 

During his meeting with the General, Dr Sadao told him about the man he had operated on successfully. He explained that he cared nothing for the man. The General appreciated his skill and efficiency and promised that he would not be arrested.

The General thought it quite unfortunate that the man had been washed up to Dr Sadao’s doorstep and thought it best if he could be quietly killed. He promised to send his private assassins to do so and remove his dead body. He suggested that Dr Sadao should leave the outer partition of the white man’s room to the garden open at night.

It is evident that the General had no human consideration in this matter. For him an enemy was an enemy and must be wiped out. He wanted the man to be eliminated silently to save the doctor from being arrested. It was neither lack of national loyalty nor dereliction of duty that guided and inspired his decision. It was simply his sense of self-absorption. He “wanted to keep Dr Sadao safe only for his own sake. He had no faith in the other Germany trained doctors. He might have to be operated upon anytime when he had another attack and he had full faith in the skill and loyalty of Dr Sadao only.

This fact is further corroborated by the General’s remarks to Dr Sadao, one week after the emergency operation upon the General. Dr Sadao informed him that the man had escaped. The General asked whether he had not promised Sadao that he would kill the

man for him. Dr Sadao replied that he had done nothing. The General admitted that he had forgotten his promise as he had been suffering a great deal and he thought of nothing but himself. He revealed the whole truth. He admitted that it was careless of him to have forgotten his promise. But added that it was not lack of patriotism or dereliction of duty on his part.

Q5. While hatred against a member of the enemy race is justifiable, especially during wartime, what makes a human being rise above narrow prejudices?

Answer. 

It is the consciousness of the demands of one’s calling that make a sensitive soul respond to the call of his duty as a professional doctor to attend to the wounded human being regardless of his being an enemy.

In the story ‘The Enemy’ Dr Sadao Hoki finds a prisoner of war washed ashore and in a dying state thrown to his doorstep. As a patriot, it is his duty to hand him over to the police. If he does not want to be entangled, the next best thing is to put him back to the sea.

However, the surgeon in him instinctively inspires him to operate upon the dying man and save him from the jaws of death. First, he packs the wound with sea-moss to stanch the fearful bleeding. Then he brings him home with the help of his wife. In spite of stiff opposition and open defiance of the servants, he operates upon the man and harbours him till he is able to leave. He knows fully well the risk of sheltering a white man—a prisoner of war—in his house. But his sentimentality for the suffering and wounded person help him rise above narrow national prejudices and extend his help and services even to an enemy.

Q6. Do you think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the circumstances?

Answer. 

Yes, I think the doctor’s final solution to the problem was the best possible one in the circumstances. Initially, the doctor as well as his wife thought that the best as well as kindest thing would be to put him back into the sea. But neither of them was able to put him back into the sea.

Sadao explained that if the man was whole he could turn him over to the police without difficulty, but since he was wounded, the doctor could not throw him back to the sea. He could not kill the man whom he had saved from the jaws of death.

The General promised to send his private assassins to kill the man and remove his dead body. Sadao waited for three nights for their arrival, but they never came as the General being preoccupied with his own suffering, forgot everything else.

Meanwhile the fear of Hana, the doctor’s wife, that he would be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy kept on mounting. Dr Sadao made up his mind to get rid of the man as it was not only inconvenient but also dangerous for them to have him there any longer. He, therefore, quietly devised the plan of letting the prisoner escape by using his own boat and Japanese clothes.

As soon as the enemy left, the servants returned and life became normal once again. Dr Sadao informed the General that “the man” had escaped. The General admitted that he had forgotten his promise as he thought of nothing but himself as he was suffering a great deal. He confessed that it was careless of him but it was not his lack of patriotism or dereliction of duty. In short, the doctor’s strategy to let the prisoner escape was the best possible solution to the problem under the prevailing circumstances.

Q7. Does the story remind you of ‘Birth’ by A. J. Cronin that you read in ‘Snapshots’ last year? What are the similarities?

Answer. 

Yes, the story ‘The Enemy’ by Pearl S. Buck certainly reminds us of the story ‘Birth’ by A. J. Cronin. Both the stories have certain obvious similarities. Both the stories revolve around the protagonist who is a doctor. Both of them focus on the doctor’s devotion and dedication to his duty and his concern for the well-being of his patient. The doctor sacrifices his own rest and comfort while attending to the patient. If the doctor brings a ‘still-born’ baby back to life in the story ‘Birth’, Dr Sadao Hoki performs no less a miracle. He saves an almost dying man from the jaws of death by skilfully extracting the bullet from his body and giving him medicines and injections for quick relief.

Dr Sadao runs a greater risk than Dr Andrew Mason. While the former could be arrested on the charge of harbouring an enemy and condemned to death, the latter (Dr Andrew) was foregoing rest and staking his reputation as a medical practitioner. He had had a disappointing evening with Christine, the girl he loves, but he forgets his personal feelings and concentrates on the safe delivery of child and then of reviving the middle-aged mother and the still-born child. Similarly, Dr Sadao is dedicated to his patient and his problems. He forgets everything while concentrating on the operation. His servants have defied him for sheltering an enemy and run away. His wife, Hana, has to do menial jobs while attending to the patient and her retching disturbs him. Her distress and his inability to attend to her make him impatient and irritable, but he does not desert the man who is under his knife. To conclude, we may say that the zeal, dedication and efforts of both the doctors are similar. There is difference of degree in the risk factor, but their devotion to suffering humanity is undoubtedly of the same kind.

Q8. Is there any film you have seen or novel you have read with a similar theme?

Answer. 

I remember an old Hindi film ‘Dr Kotnis ki Amar Kahani’ that deals with a similar theme. The eminent doctor gives up his practice and goes to the war front to look after the wounded and ailing soldiers and render them medical help. He spares no pain in performing his duties. He ignores the demands of his own body that is sleep, rest and comfort. Service to suffering humanity is his sole motivation and in his zeal to restore the maximum number of victims back to health, the doctor suffers from physical and mental exhaustion and ultimately dies.

The film based on the life of Florence Nightingale, the lady with the lamp, also glorifies the spirit of service and sacrifice of a member of the medical profession. It is through her sheer hard work and dedication to duty that Florence Nightingale raises the job of a nurse to a high pedestal.

Short-Answer Questions (Solved)

Q1. Why didn't Sadao want to know anything about the white man?

Ans. In "The Enemy" by Pearl S. Buck, Dr. Sadao Hoki did not want to know anything about the white man because he was afraid that if he knew too much about him, he would become emotionally attached and find it even more difficult to make the decision of whether to turn him over to the Army or not. Additionally, he was aware that if he was caught sheltering an American prisoner of war, he could be punished severely, so he wanted to keep his distance emotionally to protect himself and his family.

Q2. How is Hana's perspective about the white man different from Yumi's perspective?

Ans. Hana is more compassionate and empathetic towards the white man, while Yumi is more resistant and stubborn. Yumi sees the man as an enemy and refuses to help him, while Hana is more concerned with doing what is right and helping someone in need.

Q3. The theme of racism is reflected in the story. Give examples.

Ans. In "The Enemy" by Pearl S. Buck, the theme of racism is reflected in several ways. Firstly, Dr. Sadao Hoki faces discrimination in America because of his Japanese heritage, struggling to find a place to live and being treated as inferior by Americans. Secondly, Yumi's refusal to help the white man and her derogatory comments about him reflect the racial tensions between the Japanese and Americans during the war. Finally, the decision of whether to turn the white man over to the Army or not is complicated by the racial prejudices and loyalties of the characters involved. Dr. Hoki must weigh his duty as a doctor to save a life against his duty as a citizen to support his country's war effort.

Q4. What did Dr. Sadao do to help Tom escape to freedom?

Ans. Dr. Sadao Hoki helps Tom escape to freedom by providing him with warm clothes, food, and a map to guide him to safety. He also gives him money to help him on his journey and arranges for a fishing boat to take him to a nearby island where he can be picked up by a fishing Korean boat. Dr. Hoki risks his own safety and reputation to help Tom, showing compassion and humanity towards an enemy soldier.