The Enemy, Explanation, Line by Line, Meaning of Difficult Words, English CBSE Class 12 NCERT Vistas Chapter 4

 The Enemy, Explanation, Line by Line, Meaning of Difficult Words, English CBSE Class 12 NCERT Vistas Chapter 4

THE ENEMY

(Explanation and Meaning of difficult words)

Author – Pearl S Buck

The house of Dr Sadao Hoki was constructed on the beach in Japan. When he was a child, he used to often play on the beach.

Beach means the sandy land along the edge of a sea. Some beaches are very wide while others are not. Almost every beach has rocks.

 

 

The house was of low height and square in shape. It was constructed on rocks of the beach. The beach had many pine trees. The beach was narrow.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Bare feet	Not wearing anything in feet

 

South Seas is referred to Pacific Ocean.

When Sadao was a boy, he used to climb pine trees. He used to climb without wearing anything in his feet. In the islands of South Seas he had seen men climbing coconut trees. He had learnt the trick of climbing by watching these men.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Yonder	There, In the direction shown
Stepping stones	Something that helps in success

 

His father used to often take Sadao to these island. He always used to say to the brave boy (Sadao) that those islands situated there, are beginning of successful future for Japan.

 

 

Sadao asked his father, where they would go from there. His father told him that nobody knows about future. Future does not have any limit. We make our own future. Hence future depends on our efforts.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Taken into his mind	Understood and remembered
Spent infinite pains	Spent lot of time

 

Sadao had understood and remembered it. He always remembered and did what his father had said. His father never played with him or cracked jokes. But he spent lot of time with Sadao. His father had only one kid – Sadao.

 

Word	Meaning
Chief	Main, Major
Concern	Worry

 

His father had a major concern about education of Sadao. So he had sent Sadao to America to thoroughly study surgery and medicine. Sadao had gone to America at the age of 22.

 

 

Sadao came back to Japan at the age of 30. Sadao became famous as a surgeon and as a scientist. This had happened while his father was alive.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Render	Make, Result into
Abroad	Foreign country
Troops	Soldiers, Military

 

Sadao was trying to complete his research on a method that will make any wound fully clean. Because of this reason, during World War II, Sadao was not sent to other countries with soldiers.

 

 

Sadao also knew that the old General of Japan might need to be operated anytime. Though it was a minor possibility. Sadao was kept in Japan for such possibility. Presently the general was given medicines for his treatment.

The General was chief of Army in Japan.

 

 

Now clouds were rising from sea. Past some days were warm during night time, which was not expected. Because of this, there was dense fog from cold waves of sea. Meaning that the fog was in the sea.

 

Word	Meaning
Outlines	Outer edges
Shore	Edge of sea
Creeping	Moving slowly
Wreathe	Encircle

 

Because of mist, Sadao could not clearly see edges of the small island. This island was near the shore. The mist would slowly come up to the beach and below his house. It will encircle all the pine trees at the beach.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Wrapped	Covered

 

In few moments the fog will cover his house also. Then he will go to his room. His wife, Hana and his two kids would be waiting for him.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Haori	Jacket of Japanese style
Kimono	Japanese dress
Affectionately	Lovingly, With love

 

At that moment door of his house was opened. His wife came out. She was wearing a blue coloured haori over her kimono. She came near to Sadao. She held his arms, smiled but did not say anything.

 

 

Sadao met Hana in America. They did not fall in love immediately. Sadao wanted to be sure that she was from Japan. His father would not have accepted Hana if she were not a Japanese.

Pure in race means that parents and ancestors of Hana were from Japan.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Wondered	Thought
By most casual way	Coincidentally

 

Many times Sadao thought he would not have married anybody other than Hana. Luckily he had met Hana at the house of his American professor. It was purely a matter of chance and coincidence.

 

The professor and his wife were kind people. They were always eager to help students from foreign countries. The students did not like their nature but had to accept their help.

 

Word	Meaning
Nearly not gone	Did not want to go but went
Voluble	Talkative

 

Many times Sadao had told Hana that he did not want to go to the house of professor that night. Name of the professor was Harley. Rooms in their house were very small. Food they served was not tasty. And wife of professor used to talk a lot.

 

 

But Sadao had gone to house of professor that night. He met Hana there. Hana was a new student. He liked Hana and he wanted to fall in love with her.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Years enough	Many years
Heedlessly	Carelessly, Without thinking

 

Now Hana put her hand around arm of Sadao. He was very happy to feel her arm around his arm. Although they were married many years ago and had two children, they liked each other. Because they did not marry in America without thinking.

 

 

Word	Meaning
beforehand	Prior, Before

 

They completed their study and came back to japan. His father met Hana. Their marriage was arranged in traditional Japanese way. Sadao and Hanna had talked everything about their marriage before coming to Japan.

 

 

They were leading a happy life. Hana put her cheek on his arm.

 

Word	Meaning
Flung	Thrown
Breaker	Wave that breaks on shore

 

At that moment they saw a black object coming out of the fog. It was a man. It appeared that that he was thrown out of the ocean by a wave breaking at the shore. He was standing on his feet.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Staggered	Walk unsteadily
Curled	Moving in spirals or circles

 

He walked unsteadily. Due to mist, they could only see outline of his body. His arms were above his head. Then he was hidden behind the moving mist.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Leaned	Bent

 

Hana asked in loud voice who was that. They both bent over railing of veranda. Now they saw him again. They saw that  the man was walking on his knees and hands. The man fell down and was lying on the beach.

 

Word	Meaning
Washed from boat	Thrown from boat

 

Sadao made a guess that he was a fisherman. Probably he was thrown out of his boat. Sadao ran down the steps. Hana also came behind him.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Bare	Without houses etc
Surf	Sea
Badly torn	Severely wounded

 

Two miles away, on either side of their house were villages of fishermen. But around his house there were no other houses. It was the only house. The sea near their house had lot of sharp rocks. Still the man managed to come through these rocks. He must be severely wounded.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Indeed	Certainly
Stain	Mark, Smudge

 

When they went near the man, they saw that he was really badly wounded. On one side of him, there was a red mark in the sand. The blood was coming from his body and sand had soaked it.

 

Word	Meaning
Make haste	To hurry
Rags	Torn
Garments	Clothes

 

Sadao said in a surprising manner that the man was injured. He hurriedly went to the person who was not moving. His face was buried in the sand. A cap was on his head. The cap and his head were wet because of sea water. His clothes were torn.

 

 

.

 

Sadao stopped near the man. Hana also stopped near Sadao. Sadao turned face of the man up. Hana said in a low voice that he was a white man.

‘White man’ means a person from America, Canada, Australia, Europe and many more countries. Colour of skin of people from these countries is white.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Tortured	Injured, Tired

 

The wet cap got removed from his head. They could see his yellow hair. These hair were long because they had not been cut since many weeks. His face looked young and it was injured. He had a yellow beard. The beard was rough, not trimmed. The man was unconscious so did not feel anything.

 

 

Sadao thought about the wound. His started searching for the wound using his finger. ‘Expert fingers’ means that Sadao was a trained surgeon. When he touched the wound, fresh blood started flowing. Sadao saw a wound at the lower back of the man. It was from a bullet and the wound had opened again.

 

Word	Meaning
Flesh	Tissue, Meat
Tended	Treated, Taken care of
Bad chance	Unfortunately

 

His tissues had become black and some powder was deposited on the wound. The man had suffered wound from a bullet some days ago. The wound was not treated. He was not taken care of. Unfortunately, a rock had hit the wound again.

 

Word	Meaning
Solemn	Pious, Sincere
Screened	Came alround, Hid

 

Hana said in her soft, pious and sincere voice that the man was bleeding. The mist was allround them now. And that time of day nobody used to come to that side.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Beachcombers	Persons walking on beach
Considered day at an end	Had gone home

 

All fishermen had gone to their homes. Occasional walkers on the beach had also gone home.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Muttered	Spoke unclearly
Will	Desire
Stanch	Stop flow of blood

 

Sadao told in unclear voice what would they do with that man. But his trained hands were not affected by his thoughts. They were trying to stop flow of blood from his body.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Moss	Type of grass
Strewed	Scattered, Spread
Moaned	Voice of pain, Groan
Stupor	Unconsciousness

 

Sadao put sea grass on the wound. This grass was scattered on the beach. Even in his unconsciousness, the man groaned with pain. But he did not wake up.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Dusted	Removed dust

 

Sadao told to himself that they should throw that person again into the sea. It will be best action. Now bleeding from the wound had stopped. Sadao got up and he removed sand from his hands.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Undoubtedly	Certainly
Steadily	Firmly

 

Hana said firmly that that would certainly be the best thing to do. But she was continuously looking at the man. The man was not moving at all.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Shelter	To hide, To protect
Turn over	Hand over to police

 

Sadao said that if they tried to hide and protect the white man, they will be arrested. If they handed over the man to police as a prisoner, he will surely die.

 

Word	Meaning
Curious	Strange
Repulsion	Hate, To move away
Inert	Not able to move, Still

 

Hana said that they should put him back into the sea. It will be most action to take. But Sadao and Hana stood at their place. They were looking at the man who could not move. They were filled with a strange hate towards the man.

 

Word	Meaning
Battered	Damaged

 

Hana asked who was he? Sadao replied that the man appears to be an American. He picked up the damaged cap of the man.

 

Word	Meaning
Almost gone	Almost erased
Faint	Dim, Unclear

 

Some letters were written on his cap. These letters had become very dim. He read the words – ‘US Navy’. The man was a sailor from a warship of America. He was prisoner of war.

Those serving in US Navy are called ‘sailor’.

‘Prisoner of war’ means a soldier arrested by opposite country during a war.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Wounded	Injured
Resolution	Determination, Decisive

 

Hana said that the man had escaped from the prison. That is why he was wounded. Sadao added that the man was wounded at his back. They looked at each other. Then Hana asked in a decisive voice if they can put him back into the sea.

 

 

Sadao told Hana if he can put him back into the sea, can she also do it. Hana replied in negative. She said he should do it alone.

 

 

Sadao hesitated. He said that he had strange feelings. If the man was not injured he could have handed him over to the police without any difficulty.

 

 

Sado continued.

He did not care for the man. The man was his enemy. Sadao said that all American are his enemy. The man was just a common person. But he is wounded. So we cannot throw him back into the sea.

 

 

Hana said that in that case we would have to take him to our home, Sadao asked what will servants think about it.

 

 

Hana said that they must tell servants that he would be given to the police. And we must actually do it. We must think of our children. You should think of your position. If we do not hand him over as prisoner war, we will be in danger.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Fowl	A type of bird

 

Sadao agreed with Hana. He said that he would not think of doing anything else. So they both had agreed to hand over the man to police. They lifted the man. He was very light. He was like a bird who had not taken food for long time. Such bird would have weight of only its feathers and its bones.

 

 

Sadao and Hana started carrying the man to their house. His arms were hanging down. They carried him through the side door of the house and then through passage of the house to an empty bedroom.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Deeply matted floor	Floor with thick carpet

 

That was the bedroom of father of Sadao. His father had died. Now nobody used that bedroom. The floor had thick carpet. They laid the man on the floor.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Please	To make happy, Wish

 

In this bedroom everything was Japanese because that was the desire of his father. He never used a chair or slept on a bed that was made in foreign.

 

 

Hana took out a soft quilt from the cupboard of the room. It had design of flowers on it. Its lining was of pure white silk. She spoke in a low voice that the man was very dirty. She was sad because the quilt will become dirty.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Bear	Tolerate

 

Sadao agreed with his wife Hana and said that the man needed to be cleaned. He asked Hana to bring some hot water. He will clean the man. Hana said she cannot tolerate that Sadao should touch the man.

 

 

Hana said the she will need to inform servants that a white man was at their house. She said she will inform to Yumi. Hana thought that Yumi could be away from their children for some time. She can come to the bedroom and wash the man.

 

 

Sadao thought about it for some time and then agreed. He suggested that Hana should inform Yumi and he will inform other servants.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Utter	Severe
Pallor	Yellow colour
Stoop	To bend
Faint	Slow, Dim

 

Sadao saw that the face of the unconscious man was completely yellow. So Sadao bent over him and felt his pulse. The pulse was slow but he could feel it. Then Sadao put his hand on the chest of the man. The heart was also beating.

 

 

Sadao said that if the man was not operated, he would die. He considered if the man would die during operation. Hana got afraid and shouted that Sadao should not try to save him. What will they do if the man lived? Sadao asked her what they will do if the man died. (Sadao is talking about death of the man during operation)

 

Word	Meaning
Gazing	Looking, Staring
Vitality	Strength

 

Sadao stood there and stared at the man who was not moving. The man must have extraordinary strength. Otherwise he would have died by this time. But the man was young. His age was perhaps less than 25.

 

 

Hana asked if the man could die during operation. Sadao said yes, he could.

 

Hana had did not believe Sadao. (Because Sadao was a good surgeon ). She did not say anything. Sadao said that they needed to do something to this man. And first of all, he needs to be cleaned.

 

 

Sadao quickly went out of the room. Hana also came out. She did not want to be with the white man alone.

 

Word	Meaning
Menace	Danger, Threat

 

This man was the first American she had seen after leaving America. He was not related to anybody she had known in America. He was an enemy and a danger. Weather alive or dead.

 

Word	Meaning
Nursery	Children’s room

 

Hana went to children’s room and called Yumi. But children heard voice of their mother. Hana had to go into the bedroom. She smiled at her children. She played with them for some time. Her younger child, a boy, was only three months old.

 

Hana took the baby in her lap and asked Yumi to come with her. Yumi told her that she would first put the baby to sleep. He is about to sleep.

 

They went to the next bedroom. The baby was in the lap of Hana. Yumi spread two quilts on the floor so that baby can sleep on it. She put the baby on the quilt. And put another quilt over the baby.

 

 

The Hana silently and quickly went to kitchen. By this time Sadao had told both servants about the man. Servants were frightened. The old gardener also worked as a servant of the house. The gardener was pulling hair of his mustache.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Ought not	Must not
Bluntly	Directly. Straight
Revenge	Punish, Retaliate

 

The gardener told Hana directly that Sadao should not give treatment to the white man. The white man must die. First a bullet had hit him. Then in the sea he was hit by rocks. Sadao should not treat that person. Otherwise sea will punish us. Gardener is telling that a curse may fall on family.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Courteously	Politely, Respectfully
Superstitious	Believe in superpowers or omens

 

Hana politely told the gardener that she would inform Sadao about his feelings. Actually she was also frightened. But she did not believe in super powers. While the old gardener had faith in superpowers.

 

Word	Meaning
Fetch	To go and bring

Hana thought that would it be correct to help an enemy. But she asked Yumi to bring hot water to the room. In that room the white man was lying.

 

Word	Meaning
Slid	Removed
Partition	Door

 

Hana opened the door and went into the room. Sadao was not in the room. Yumi came in the room after Hana and put down the wooden bucket. Then Yumi went near the white man.

 

Word	Meaning
Stubbornness	Determination to refuse

 

When Yumi saw the man, she became determined to refuse orders of Hana. Yumi told Hana that she had never cleaned a white man. And that she did not want to clean such a dirty white man.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Severely	Loudly
Command	Order
Fierce	Fearful
Unreasonably	Very much

 

Hana shouted at Yumi and told her to obey the orders given by her master. There was a fearful look of refusal on the face of Yumi. Hana felt very much afraid.

 

 

Hana was afraid because servants could report to the police. They could also report what had not happened. (Means they could do some wrong reporting which could be bad for Sadao and Hana.)

 

 

Word	Meaning
Dignity	Respect

 

So Hana told Yumi with respect that she should understand the situation. They wanted the white man to become conscious. Then they will hand him over to police.

 

 

Yumi told Hana that she would not do any work of white man. She said that she was a poor person and that was not her work. Hana politely asked Yumi to go back to her work.

 

Yumi immediately left the room. So now Hana was alone in the room with white man. She would have been afraid of being alone in the room. But the refusal by Yumi kept her in the room.

 

 

In her low voice she said Yumi was stupid. After all he is a man. He is wounded and helpless.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Conviction	Belief
Impulsively	Without thinking
Untied	Opened
Rug	Blanket, Rough cloth

 

Hana believed that she was superior to Yumi. Without thinking anymore, she bent (sat on the floor) and opened the knots of the cloth that covered the man.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Bare	Without cloth, Naked

 

When chest of the man could be seen, she dipped a towel into hot water. The towel and water were brought by Yumi. Hana carefully washed the face of the man.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Exposure	Open to sun
Blond	Fair

 

The skin of the man had become rough because he had been in the sun for long time. But colour of the skin was fair. Hana thought that he must have been very fair during his childhood.

 

She was thinking these thoughts while she was cleaning the man. Though she did not like the man because he was not a child now. But she cleaned her upper body.

 

Word	Meaning
Ebbing	Increasing
Anxious	Worried
Rose	Got up
Wipe	Clean by rubbing

 

She did not have the courage to turn the man over. She thought where was Sadao. Now she became angry. She was again worried. She got up. She cleaned her own hand with a wrong towel. (Means she had used a dirty towel)

 

To prevent the man from becoming cold, she put a quilt over him. Then she softly called out Sadao. He was about to enter the room when she had called him. His hand was on the door. Now he opened the door of the room.

 

Hana saw that Sadao had brought emergency bag of a surgeon. He was wearing the coat of a surgeon. (Means he had done preparations for operation.) Hana asked in a loud voice if he had decided to do an operation.

 

Word	Meaning
Tokonoma alcove	Recess in a wall

 

Sadao replied in short by saying yes. Now his back was towards Hana. He spread the sterilized towel in the recess of wall. He put all the instruments required for surgery on that towel.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Linen	Towel, Cloth
Covering	Carpet

 

Sadao asked Hana to bring towels. She brought towels from the shelf. Now she was worried. She wanted to put some old mats on the floor. So that blood would not spoil god carpet of the floor.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Strips	Long and narrow pieces
Delicate	Easy to damage, Soft
Shrub	Small plant
Armful	As much as one can hold in arms

 

She went to back veranda. Gardener used to keep long pieces of matting there. He was using these pieces to cover delicate soft plants during cold nights. She took an armful of these strips.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Packing	Bandage,
Ruined	Spoiled

 

When she reached the room, she realized that bringing these strips was useless. The blood from the wound had already spread on the mating of the floor. The matting under the man was spoiled.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Commanded	Ordered

 

She shouted because the mat had been spoiled. Sadao replied that the mat had been spoiled. It seemed that Sadao was not worried about mat. He ordered Hana to help him to turn the man.

 

 

Hana did not say anything. She obeyed him. Sadao started cleaning back of the man. Hana told Yumi had refused to clean the man.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Swift	Quick
Concise	Short

 

Sadao asked Hana if she had cleaned the man. Hana replied yes. He did not stop his quick and short movements while he was talking.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Absorption	Concentration

 

Sadao did not listen to Hana. But Hana was used to this type of concentration of Sadao. She thought that Sadao was not bothered who was the patient. He always wanted to do his work excellently.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Impatiently	Quickly, Without patience

 

Sadao told Hana that she will need to give anesthesia if required. Hana replied that she had never done that. Sadao told her that it was very easy.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Peered	Observed carefully, Examined
Fastened	Tied, Wearing

 

Sadao removed the moss packing. The blood started coming out quickly now. He was wearing a light on his forehead. He carefully observed into the wound. He calmly said that the bullet was still in the wound.

 

Word	Meaning
Superficial	From surface

Sadao told that he was not certain about depth of the wound caused by rock. If the wound was not deep, he would be able to take out the bullet. But the bleeding was not from surface of the body. It was from deep within the body. The man had lost lot of blood.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Chocked	Difficulty in breathing
Colour of Sulphur	Yellow
Faint	Unconscious

 

At that time, Hana started feeling some difficulty in breathing. Sadao looked at her. Her face had become yellow. He asked Hana not get unconscious.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Exploring	Searching

 

Sadao did not remove the instrument with which he was searching for bullet in the body of white man. He said that if he stopped  the person will surely die.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Leaped up	Got up with a jerk, Jumped up
Retching	Vomiting

Hana put her hands on her mouth. She got up and ran out of the room. Sadao could hear that she was vomiting in the garden. He continued his work.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Distress	Trouble, Pain
Under the knife	Being operated

 

Sadao thought it was better that she vomited. He forgot that Hana had never seen an operation. Hana was in trouble and he was not able to go to her. So he became impatient. He also became irritated by the white man, who was being operated and was motionless.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Unconsciously	Without realising
Ruthlessly	Mercilessly, Without mercy
Swiftly	Quickly
Paid no heeds	Did not pay attention

 

Sadao thought there was no reason in this world for this man to live. He did not realise that  this thought had made him merciless. So he worked quickly. The man groaned in his dream. (because he was unconscious.) But Sadao did not any attention to him.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Muttered	Spoke unclearly

 

Sadao spoke unclearly to himself. He told to the white man to groan if he liked. But remember that I am not doing this surgery for my happiness. In fact I do not know why I am doing it. That moment Hana entered the room.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Stir	To move

 

Hana asked Sadao where the medicine for anesthesia was. Sadao indicted with his chin. He said to Hana that it was good that she was back. This man has started moving.

 

 

Hana had a bottle and some cotton in her hand. She asked Sadao how should she give anesthesia to the white man.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Saturate	Soak
Intricate details	Complicated details

 

Sadao told her to soak cotton in the liquid. The liquid was in the bottle. And then keep the cotton near to white man’s  nose. He continued to do the complicated operation. He further said that when the man starts breathing badly, she should move the cotton away.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Crouched	Sat
Piteously	Causing mercy

 

Hana sat close to the face of the man. The man appeared to be sleeping. She noticed that his face was thin. She felt pity at him. His lips were twisted. She realized that the man was in pains. But the man may not know about it.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Flicker	Intermittently, Not continuously
Word of mouth	Verbally
Contradicted	Opposed, Refuted

 

She had heard many stories about sufferings of prisoners. These were rumours and came irregularly. She started thinking if those stories were true. These were told verbally. These stories were opposite to each other. ( means many of rumours were opposite to each other)

 

 

The newspapers had always reported that people were happy to receive Japanese armies. People were happy to achieve freedom.

 

Word	Meaning
Remembered	Recalled
Cruelly	Without mercy

 

Sometimes she recalled behaviour of General Takima. At his home he used to beat his wife mercilessly. And no one talked about this cruelty. because of his victory in the war of Manchuria.

 

 

She thought that if a man was cruel to his wife, he would be cruel to every other person also. (She is having a doubt that Japanese armies were welcomed wherever it had gone. She thinks that they had tortured people)

 

 

Hana hoped that this white man was not tortured. She observed some red marks on his neck and under the ear. Hana looked at Sadao and asked about those red marks.

 

Sadao did not give any answer. At that moment edge of his instrument touched something hard in the body of the man. It was very close to kidney. It could be dangerous. He concentrated on it. He did not think of anything else.

 

Word	Meaning
Every atom of body	Every part of body
Anatomy	Science of structure of body

 

He was happy at that moment. He softly searched with his fingers. He knew every part of the body of a human being. His American professor had taught them about the human body.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Cardinal	Main, Major
Sin	Fault, Immorality
Thundered	Spoke loudly

 

The professor used to loudly tell the class that not knowing human body was a major fault. He used to tell this repeatedly every year. If you operate a person without knowing complete anatomy, then you may kill the patient. And it can be called a murder. You should know about body as if you have yourself made it.

 

Sadao told himself in a low voice that the bullet was not near the kidney. Sadao had the habit of talking to himself while doing operation. He used to fully concentrate on operation. He always addressed his patients as ‘my friend’. He addressed the white man also as ‘my friend’. Sadao forgot that this man was his enemy.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Cleanest	Accurate
Precise	Exact
Incision	Cut made by surgeon
Quivered	Trembled

 

The Sadao made an accurate and exact cut. The bullet was out of the body of white man. The man trembled. He was still unconscious.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Gut	Stomach

 

But the man spoke some words in English. He said that they have removed his stomach. Hana shouted but Sadao asked her to remain silent.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Profound	Deep, Great, Acute
Faint	Dim
Feeble	Week

 

Now the man was deeply quite. The silence was so deep that Sadao took his wrist to feel the pulse. Though Sadao did not like to touch the American. The pulse was very faint and week. But it was sufficient for the man remain alive.

 

 

Sadao thought that he did not want this man to remain alive. He asked Hana to stop giving anesthesia.

 

Word	Meaning
Paused	Stopped
Vial	Small bottle that has medicine
Hypodermic	Syringe
Thrust	Pushed

 

Sadao quickly turned as if he had never stopped. He took out a small bottle. This bottle had some liquid medicine. He filled a syringe and injected the medicine in left arm of the patient.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Fluttered	Flickered, Vibrated
Thrust	Pushed

He put down the needle. He again felt the pulse of the man. The pulse vibrated and then it became better. He said to Hana that the man would remain alive. Then Sadao took a deep breath.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Terrified	Afraid
Perceived	Understood, Realised
Compelled	Forced, Felt the urge

 

After sometime, the young man woke up. He was very weak. He realized that he was with a Japanese family. He had terror in his blue eyes. (meanns he was afraid). Hana felt it was necessary to say sorry to him.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Summon	Gather
Fearful	Frightening

 

Servants did not want to enter in room, so Hana herself gave him some food. When Hana came in the room for the first time, the white man thought that she may harm him. So he was trying to gather his strength to prepare himself for something some frightening incident.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Gasped	Surprised

Hana softly requested him not to be afraid. He asked her how she could speak English. Hana replied that she had been in America for a long time.

 

Word	Meaning
Knelt	Sit on knees
Unwillingly	Without desire

 

Hana realized that the man wanted to say something. He was very weak so could not speak. Hana sat on her knees. She fed him using a porcelain spoon. Man did not want to eat but he ate.

 

 

Hana did not like the man. But she still wanted to console him. She said that he would be strong very soon.

 

On the third day after the operation, Sadao found that man was sitting. Because of effort he made to sit, his face had become white. (Meaning that he was very weak.) Sadao ordered him in a loud voice to lie down.

 

 

Sadao slowly pushed the man to lie down. He examined the wound. Sadao told the man if he tried to do such acts, he might die.

 

In a low voice, the man asked Sadao what they would do with him. Will you hand me over to police? The man now appeared to be of 17years age. (So he is also addressed as boy)

 

 

Sadao did not answer immediately. He completed examination of wound. He put the quilt over the man. Sadao told that he did not know what he should do.

 

 

I should hand over you to police because you are prisoner of war. Then he noticed that the man was trying to speak. Sadao put his hand on the mouth of the man. He told him not to speak anything. Sadao told him that the man should tell his name only when somebody asked. Otherwise he should remain silent.

 

Word	Meaning
Mouth a bitter line	To be angry with someone

 

They looked at each other. They young man closed his eyes. He turned his face towards wall and said OK. One could make out from his face that white man was angry with Sadao. (Because Sadao told him that he may hand over him to police)

 

 

At the door of the room Hana was waiting for Sadao to come out. He could feel that she was in a problem. Hana informed Sadao that Yumi and other servants had told her that they would not work there. Because Sadao and Hana were hiding that man.

 

Yumi told that Hana and Sadao had lived in America for a long time. We have forgotten about our own country. They think that we are Americans.

 

 

Sadao told that it was not true. He also considers Americans as enemies. But I am a  trained surgeon. I cannot  allow a person to die, if I can help.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Household	Activities of house
Dragged	Continued

 

Hana said that servants are not understanding this. Sadao agreed that they would not understand. None of them said anything more. Somehow, all works of house was getting done. Meaning that servants were staying and doing work.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Courtesy	Politeness
Eyes were cold upon	Did not respect

 

The servants were now carefully observing everything. They continued to be polite. But now they did not have respect for the couple (Sadao and Hana) who were paying them salary.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Moss	A type of grass

 

The gardener told to other servants that it was very clear what the master (Sadao) needs to do. Throughout his life gardener had taken care of flowers. He was very expert in taking care  of moss also.

 

Word	Meaning
Sweeping	Cleaning by broom
Marred	Disturbed

 

The gardener had made very good garden of moss for father of Sadao. He used to clean the green grass regularly. No leaf or needle of pine remained on the surface of the grass to disturb beauty of the garden. The author wants to say the he was an expert gardener.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Pinching	Plucking

 

Now servants are talking among themselves.

The gardener said that son of his old master (Sadao) knows what he should do. He plucked a bud from a plant. He further questioned why Sadao stopped the blood of the man. The man was about to die. Sadao should have allowed the man to die.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Contemptuously	With disrespect

 

The cook said that young mater (Sadao) is very proud of his skill. He thinks that he could save any life. While saying these words, the cook was showing her disrespect to Sadao.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Split	Cut in long direction
Fowl	A type of bird
Fluttering	Vibrating, Moving quickly
Wistaria	Type of creeper
Vine	Creeper, Climber

 

The cook now had cut neck of a bird. The bird was vibrating it feathers. The blood of the bird was going to roots of creeper wistaria. The gardener believed that blood was the best fertilizer for plants. He had asked the cook to put all the blood into plants.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Fate	Destiny
Condemned	Declared, Punished
Traitor	Who works against his country

Yumi said that they should think about the children. What will happen to children if their father is declared a traitor?

 

 

Word	Meaning
Hide	Conceal
On purpose	Intentionally

 

Hana was arranging flowers. She was near to servants. The servants did not want to hide their thoughts from Hana. So they had spoken loudly. Hana also understood that they were intentionally speaking loudly so that she could hear their talk.

 

 

Word	Meaning
In most of her being	By her feelings

 

Hana knew by her own feelings that the servants were correct in their thinking. But she could not understand her own  behaviour. 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Sentimental	Emotional
Impulsively	Suddenly

 

Emotionally she did not like the prisoner. She considered him a prisoner. She did not like him when he suddenly told her that his name was Tom.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Hurt	To insult
Assuage	To calm, To reduce
Indeed	Really

 

She had bowed to him from some distance. Japanese bow to show their respect to somebody. She could see that he felt insulted. She did not want to calm him down. He was really a problem for the house.

 

Word	Meaning
Pulled out	Removed by pulling
Fortnight	Two weeks

 

Sadao used to carefully examine wound of the man every day. The last stitches had been removed. The young man will be completely OK within next two weeks.

 

 

Sadao went to his office and started typing a letter to the Chief officer of police. He wanted to report the complete incident. On 21^st February an escaped prisoner was thrown on the beach in front of my house.

 

 

Sadao typed only that much. He opened secret drawer of his table. He put that incomplete letter into the drawer.

 

Two things happened on the 7^th day after that. In the morning all the servants left the house of Sadao. They had tied their belongings in large cotton cloths of square shape.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Dismayed	Annoyed
Pride	Dignity

 

When Hana got up in the morning she found that the house was not cleaned. The food was not ready. She understood its meaning. She was annoyed and afraid. But she did not express her anger. She wanted to maintain her dignity.

 

 

Hana held her head with grace. She maintained calmness. When servants came before her in the kitchen, she paid their salary. She thanked for their services and help. The servants were crying. Hana did not cry.

 

 

The cook and the gardener had been working in the house since childhood days of Sadao. Yumi had cried because of her affection towards children.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Grieving	Sad
Send for	Call

 

Yumi was so sad that she came back running to Hana. She requested Hana to call her back to the house if the baby ( the younger child) remembers her. She was going to her house. Hana knew where her house was.

 

 

Hana smiled at Yumi and thanked her. Hana was determined not to call Yumi even if her child cried a lot.

 

 

Hana made breakfast. Sadao took care of children. They did not talk about servants. They only talked that the servants had left their house. Hana took breakfast to the prisioner. Then she came back to Sadao.

 

Hana asked Sadao why they were not understanding what they should do about the prisoner. Even the servants knew what was to be done. Why are we different from other people of Japan?

 

Word	Meaning
Brusquely	Rudely, Impolitely

 

Sadao did not give any answer to Hana. After some time he went into the room of prisoner. He rudely told the man that he should stand up on his feet that day. He advised the prisoner to walk only for five minutes.

 

 

Sadao further told that the prisoner should try to walk for 10 minutes next day. It would be good for the prisoner to become strong as soon as possible.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Flicker	Glimpse,
Evidently	Obviously, Apparently

 

Sadao could see that the young person was a bit afraid and his face was still yellow. The boy said yes in a low voice. Obviously the boy wanted to say something more. He thanked Sadao for saving his life.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Coldly	Without emotions
Unmistakable	Without mistake

 

Sadao replied without any emotion that the boy should not thank him so soon. Sadao could again observe that the boy was afraid. He was afraid the same way an animal would be afraid of. (Author wants to say that boy was afraid and helpless). Marks of injury on his neck had become of dark red colour. Sadao thought why he had scars there. But he did not ask.

 

Word	Meaning
Unaccustomed	Not having habit

 

In the afternoon of that day, the second thing happened. Hana did not have the habit of working. It was difficult for her to do all the work. A messenger came to their house. He was wearing complete official uniform.

 

 

Her hand started trembling. She found it difficult to breath. (Author want to say that she was terrified). She thought that servants had already informed police about presence of an American in their house.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Gasping	Breathing from mouth
Utter	Speak

 

Hana ran to meet Sadao. She was breathing from her mouth. She could not speak anything. By that time the messenger had come to the garden. He was standing in the garden. Hana was afraid. She indicated towards the messenger.

 

 

Sadao was in his office. He was reading a book. He looked up. The other door of his office was towards the garden. He had kept this door open to allow the sunshine to come in his office.

 

Sadao asked the messenger what the matter was. Then he saw the uniform of the messenger. And he got up from his chair. The messenger told that the General of the Army was suffering from pain. Sadao needs to come to the palace to treat him.

 

Hana had a sigh of relief. She said  if that was the only reason. ( She had thought that the army person had come to arrest them) Messenger was surprised and asked if that was not the enough reason for Sadao to come to palace. Hana agreed with the messenger and said sorry to him.

 

Word	Meaning
Fright	Fear

 

Hana was sitting in the kitchen. Sadao came to kitchen to say goodbye to her. The children were sleeping. Hana was sitting in the kitchen to take some rest. She was not tired because of work. She was tired because of her fears.

 

Word	Meaning
Get rid of	Remove, Expel
For your sake	For you, To give you relief

 

Hana told Sadao that she thought the messenger had come to arrest him. Sado looked at her. He was worried about her. He told Hana in a painful voice that it was necessary to remove the prisoner from the house. He wanted to do this to provide relief to Hana.

 

 

The general spoke in a very weak voice. Certainly I understand everything. That is because I completed graduation from Princeton University. (It is a university in America). Very few people from Japan have done that.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Excellency	A word of great respect

 

Sadao told the General that he was not bothered about the man. But after doing a successful operation ..

(Sadao had told General everything about the white man)

 

 

Word	Meaning
Indispensable	That cannot be replaced, Important

 

The General told that now he is feeling that nobody can replace Sadao. Obviously you can save life of anyone. You are very skillful surgeon. You have told me that I can tolerate one more similar heart attack.

 

 

Sadao told that General can tolerate only one more such heart attack. The General replied that in such situation he will not allow anything to happen to Sadao. General was worried about himself.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Condemned	Punished

 

The pale coloured face of the General did not show any expression. Which means he was thinking. The General closed his eyes and told that Sadao cannot be arrested. Suppose you are given death punishment. And next day I need to have an operation.

 

 

Sadao said that there were other surgeons in Japan. The General said that he did not believe any other surgeon. They are trained in Germany. They think that an operation is successful even if the patient dies during operation.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Sighed	Breathed
Ruthlessness	Determination to succeed anyhow
Sentimentality	Emotions

 

The General took a deep breath and said that he did not believe in the opinion of other surgeons. It is sad that we are not able combine determination of Germany and emotions of America.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Turn over	Hand over to police
Execution	Kill

 

General continues.

Then you could have handed over the prisoner for punishment. And I could be confident that you would not kill me when I was unconscious.

 

 

After saying those words, the General laughed. His sense of humour was unusual. He asked Sadao if he could combine aspects of these two foreign countries.

 

 

Sadao smiled and said that he was not sure about it. He further said that for the benefit of General, he was ready to make an attempt. General denied by saying that he did not want anybody to experiment on him.

 

General started feeling weak. He felt that taking care of his health in such time was a burden. This was the time when victories of Japanese forces in the south pacific region brought more responsibilities on him.

 

The General said it was a bad luck that the man reached Sadao’s house through the sea. Sadao said that he also felt that it was his bad luck.

 

Word	Meaning
Quietly	Secretly
Assassin	Killer

 

General said that it would be better if the man was killed quietly. He should not be killed by Sadao but by someone who does not know that person. He said that he has his personal killers.

 

 

The General further spoke. Suppose I send two killers to your house this night. Or I can send them any night. Sadao should not know when they will come.

 

 

It is hot these days. So Sadao can keep the door of white man’s room towards the garden open. It will be a natural act.

 

 

Sadao agreed and said that it would look so natural. In fact the door is always kept open.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Capable	Competent, Efficient

 

The General said it was good. He further said that those killers are very competent killers. The do their work quietly. They know the trick to make a person bleed internally. ( Blood does not come out of the body). If Sadao wants, the General will instruct killers to remove the body.

 

 

Sadao thought for a moment about Hana. He told General that that would be the best. (To get the body removed)

 

 

Sadao left the palace of the General and went home. He was thinking about the plan General had told him. He was convinced that through that plan everything would be settled. He will not face any trouble.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Timid	Afraid
Absolute state	Autocratic, One person hold all powers
Essential	Necessary

 

Sadao thought that he would not tell anything about that plan to Hana. She will get afraid at the mention of killers getting into the house. But such persons are essential in an autocratic country. (At that time Japan was autocratic. All powers were with General). Through these assassins rulers killed those persons who dared to oppose them.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Reason	Logic

 

Sadao decided that he will think logically. He will not allow any other thought to come to his mind. He went into the room where the American was sleeping on the bed.

 

 

When Sadao opened the door, he was surprised. He noticed that the prisoner was out of his bed. He was getting ready to go to the garden.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Gaily	Happily

 

Sadao asked prisoner with great surprise that who had given him the permission to go out of the room. Tom happily replied that he did not have the habit of seeking permission.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Stiff	Rigid, Not soft
Forgot all else	Forgot every other thing

 

Oh God, I am feeling quite strong again. Tom said. Tom asked if the muscles on that side will always be rigid. Sadao was surprised by the question. He forgot every other thing.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Gazed	Examined carefully

Sadao said in a whispered voice that he thought he had taken care about it. He carefully examined the scar that was healing. He said that if exercise does not help then it will be cured by massage.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Bother	To trouble
Gaunt	Weak
Stubbly	Unshaven
Blond	Golden colour

 

The young man said that that muscle will not give him much trouble. He had not shaved his golden coloured beard. So he was looking very weak.

 

 

 

Tom told Sadao that he wanted to say something to him. It is because of Sadao that he was alive. Otherwise he would not have lived. Sadao bowed his head. He did not speak anything. ( Sadao remembered that assassins will come to kill Tom)

 

Word	Meaning
Gripping	Holding
Knuckles	Joints of finger

 

Tom said that he was certainly aware of that. He was holding a chair with his big hands. The joints of his fingers were white. He further said that if all the Japanese were like Sadao, there would not have been a war.

 

Sadao said  probably that was true. He advised Tom to return to his bed. Sadao helped Tom to get back into his bed. The he said good night and went out of the room.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Time and time again	Again & again
Rustling of footsteps	Soft sound of footsteps
Twig	Thin branch of a tree
Displaced	Shifted
Burden	Load

 

Sadao could not sleep properly that night. Many times he woke up in the night. He thought he heard sound of footsteps, sound of breaking of a branch of a tree or sound of shifting of stones in the garden. A noise that would be made if men were carrying a load. This all was his imagination.

 

 

Next morning, he went to the guest room before Hana. He had thought if the American was not in the room, he would tell Hana about his discussion with general.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Shaggy	Dirty

 

When Sadao opened the door he immediately saw a dirty blond head on the pillow. Meaning that Tom was in the room. Tom looked sleeping peacefully. Sadao could hear the breathing of Tom. He closed the door silently.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Old refrain	Earlier dialogue

 

Sadao told Hana that Tom was sleeping. Sadao further told that Tom is getting better. Hana once again asked the same question that what they would do with Tom. Sadao promised Hana that he would certainly decide within two days.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Bough	Thick branch of tree

 

Sadao was thinking that second night those killers would come and get rid of Tom. The night was windy. There were sounds of a breaking of branch of tree. The wind made a whistling sound as it moved past the door of guest room.

 

 

Because of such sounds Hana also woke up. She suggested to Sadao that they should go out and close the partition (door) of the guest room. Tom was sleeping in that bed room. Sadao replied that Tom could close the door himself. Next morning the American was in his room.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Eves	Edges of roof
Leaped	Jumped
Leaped to his feet	Stood up

 

Sadao thought on third night that assassins would surely come. That night it was raining. There was no wind. There were sounds of water dropping from edges of roof. Water was also flowing in the garden. Sadao was having a better sleep. ( He did not sleep well last two nights) There was a sound of something breaking. He woke up and stood up.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Wail	Cry, Weep

 

Hana shouted what was that. The baby woke up because she had shouted. The baby began to weep. Hana wanted to go out to see what had happened. But Sadao stopped her. He did not allow her to go. Hana loudly asked Sadao what was wrong with him. He only said not to go. (Sadao was thinking that assassin had come)

 

 

Because Sadao was afraid, Hana also became afraid. She could not got out. She just stood in the room. Nobody spoke anything. Finally they both went to the bed. The baby was sleeping between them.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Gay	Happy

 

In the morning Sadao opened the door of the guest room. Tom was still in the room. He looked happy. He had already taken a bath. He was standing in his room. He had taken a razor the previous day. He had shaved his beard. Today his face looked less yellow. He happily said that he was feeling better.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Kimono	A Japanese dress
Weary	Tired, Sleepy

 

Sadao wrapped his kimono around his sleepy and tired body. He suddenly realized that he did not want to spend one more night waiting for the assassins to arrive. He was not bothered about life of the young person. The wait was putting lot of strain (tension)  on him.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Shore	Edge of sea
Coast	Edge of sea

 

Sadao agreed with the man and told him that he was well now. Sadao further told him that he had become so strong that he can sail a boat. Sadao now told him about his plan. Sadao will give a boat to the man.The boat will be placed near the sea shore. The boat will have some extra food and clothes. Tom should row that boat to the small island that is not very far from the beach.

 

 

 

Word	Meaning
Fortify	Arrangements for protection

 

The island is very near to the coast so there are no soldiers on that island. It is not protected. Nobody lives on that island. This island gets submerged into water during storms. But in this season storms do not come.

 

Word	Meaning
Fathom	Equal to six feet

 

Tom can live there for some time. When a boat from Korea comes near the island he can take that boat for his further journey. Sadao told that Korean boats come very near to that island because water is quite deep there.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Stared	Looked, Gazed
Comprehend	To understand
Comprehension	Understanding

 

Tom looked at Sadao. He was trying to understand what Sadao had told. Then he asked did he need to go. Sadao politely said yes. Sadao explained that he cannot keep Tom hidden in his house for more time. The man nodded as if he had understood everything. He said OK.

 

Word	Meaning
Stout	Strong
Pawnshop	Small shop

 

Sadao did not meet Tom during that day. When evening came, Sadao pulled his strong boat near the shore. He put some food, water and two quilts in it. He had purchased these items during the daytime from a small shop.

 

 

There were high waves in the sea. So Sadao had tied the boat to a pole. It was a no moon night. Sadao did all these without a light.

 

 

After completing these works he came back to his house. He acted as if had come back from his normal work. So Hana did not know about the arrangements Sadao had made.

 

Word	Meaning
Supper	Dinner

 

Hana served dinner for Sadao. Though she was modern, she did not eat with her husband. Hana told Sadao that Yumi had come to the house. Yumi cried a lot for the baby. Yumi misses the baby so much. Sadao told Hana that servants would come back to the house after the American is gone.

 

 

Sadao went to the guest room before going to his own bedroom. He carefully checked pulse and temperature of the American. He also checked his wound and heartbeat.

 

Word	Meaning
Eyes burnt	Eyes were shining

 

His pulse was irregular. Probably it was because of anxiety of leaving the house. His lips were yellow and he was silent. His eyes were bright and shining. The scars on his body were of red colour.

 

Word	Meaning
Inconvenient	Difficult, Troublesome

 

Tom told Sadao that he had realized that Sadao was saving his life once again. Sadao said it was not true. It had become difficult to keep Tom at his house for more time.

 

Sadao thought a lot about giving a flashlight to Tom. Finally he decided to give it to him. The flashlight was his own. He was using it when he had to go out to see a patient.

 

Sadao advised Tom to give two flashes if he falls short of food before catching a Korean boat. He advised that he should not give flashes in the night otherwise he will be noticed. He should give flash in the evening. (Sun drops over the horizon means evening)

 

 

Sadao advised Tom that he should give one flash if he is alright at the island. He told Tom that he would be able to catch fish at the island. But he should eat these without cooking. Because if he ignited a fire for cooking, it will be noticed. The young man said OK.

 

 

Sadao gave his own Japanese clothes to Tom. Sadao also put a black cloth on Tom’s head to conceal his blond hair. Sadao then said that Tom could now go.

 

The American did not speak anything. He shook hands with Sadao. He walked to cross the floor and he took steps to go in the garden. It was dark in the garden.

 

 

Twice there was a flash of the light. Tom was trying to find his way. Sadao thought that nobody would suspect anything. After sometime there was flash at the shore. Sadao closed the door. He had a good sleep that night.

 

The General confirmed that Sadao told him the person had escaped. (Sadao has informed general that the person ran away from his house). Seven days ago the General was operated. Sadao was called from his home in the night.

 

 

Upto 12 hours from completion of operation, Sadao was not sure if the General would be alive. His gall bladder had a problem. But after some time the General started breathing heavily. He was feeling hungry so he asked for food.

 

 

Sadao did not have the courage to ask General about the killers. He knew that they had not come. Servants had returned to the house. Yumi had cleaned the whole house. She burnt Sulphur in the guest room. This was to remove smell of the American from the guest room.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Gardener was cross	Gardener was angry
Chrysanthemum	Type of flower

 

Nobody said anything. Meaning that nobody talked about the white man. Only the gardener was angry. He could not grow chrysanthemums in time.

 

 

After one week General had improved his health. So Sadao thought the he should inform General about the prisoner.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Signifying	Meaning

 

Sadao told that the prisoner had escaped. After saying this he coughed a bit. This meant that he wanted to say something more but he did not want to disturb the General. The old General suddenly opened his eyes.

 

 

The General asked Sadao if he had promised to get the prisoner killed. Sadao said yes.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Amazement	Surprise
Murmured	Whispered

The old man’s voice was full of surprise. He said that even he remembered it. But I was sick. I had been thinking only about myself. I forgot my promise. Sadao told in a very low voice that he was surprised when assassins did not come.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Patriotism	Love for own country
Dereliction of duty	Neglect of duty

General told Sadao that he was certainly careless in that matter. But please understand that it was not because of lack of love for my country. It was not because I neglected my duty. If this matter is brought up again at any time, you should remember that.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Comprehended	Realised
In the palm of his hand	Under his control
Swear	To promise
Zeal	Passion

 

Sadao replied to the General that he would remember this. Sadao suddenly realized that the General was now under his control. Hence Sadao himself was safe. Sadao promised to the General that he would always remember this. He promised his loyalty to the General. Sadao promised this by the passion of the General towards enemies.

 

 

General told Sadao that he will get a reward because he was a good person. The General whispered this sentence and then closed his eyes to sleep.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Prick of light	Flash of light
Dusk	Evening

 

That evening, Sadao looked at the dark sea in evening. He waited till the Sun started setting. He did not see any flashlight. Sadao considered this as a reward. Now no one was on the island. The prisoner had gone safely and certainly. Because Sadao had advised him to travel only in Korean fishing boat.

 

 

He stood in the veranda of his house for some time. He was looking at the sea from where the young person had come some nights before.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Dull	Boring

 

Without any cause, he started remembering other white persons known to him. He recalled the professor, at whose house he had met Hana. The professor was a boring person. His wife wanted to be a kind person. But actually she was foolish and talked a lot.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Insistent	Adamant, Firm
Slatternly	Careless, Dirty
Landlady	Lady owner of house

 

Sadao remember his previous teacher of anatomy. The teacher was very firm that one should understand anatomy before using knife for operation. He remembered his fat and careless lady owner of his rented house in America.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Prejudice	Bias, Unfavourable opinion
Bitter	Unhappy

 

Because Sadao was Japanese, he had great difficulty in finding a house to live in America. The Americans had an unfavourable opinion about Japanese. (Meaning Americans did not like Japanese.) Sadao thought that Japanese were better than Americans. So it was tough to live in America.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Despised	Disliked, Hated
Ignorant	Rude, Impolite
Consented	Agreed
Miserable	Poor, Not good

 

Sadao hated the rude and dirty land lady. She had finally agreed to rent her poor house to Sadao.

 

 

Word	Meaning
Grateful	Thankful
Nursed	Took care
Influenza	A type of disease

 

Sadao had tried be thankful to the landlady. During last year of his stay Sadao suffered from influenza. (Cold, cough and fever) She had taken care of him during his sickness. But even while she was kind to him, Sadao disliked her.

 

Word	Meaning
Haggard	Sick, Weak

Now Sadao remembered the young and sick face of his prisoner. Sadao disliked him. Sadao thought it was very strange that he could not kill the prisoner.

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Important Links
The Enemy – Textbook Q&A	The Enemy – Extra Q&A
Tiger King – Explanation	Should Wizard Hit … – Explanation
Tiger King – Textbook Q&A	Should Wizard Hit … – Textbook Q&A
Tiger King – Extra Q&A	Should Wizard Hit … – Extra Q&A
Passages	Note Making
Letter Writing	Notice Writing
Advertisement Writing	Article Writing
Report Writing

 

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