The Enemy

“‘The kindest thing would be to put him back into the sea,’ Hana said. But neither of them moved. They were staring with a curious repulsion upon the inert figure.”

The sea is a motif that represents freedom for the American. This statement is an example of foreshadowing, as Tom will be returned to the sea after all, but his return will be for his safety rather than just the safety of Sadao and his family. The theme of racial prejudice is also seen in this quote since both Sadao and Hana are repulsed by Tom. However, their actions convey the theme of human kindness; despite their agreement on putting Tom back in the sea, they physically do not do so.

“The strange thing is […] that if the man were whole I could turn him over to the police without difficulty. I care nothing for him. He is my enemy. All Americans are my enemy. And he is only a common fellow. You see how foolish his face is. But since he is wounded…”

This statement by Sadao indicates the inner conflict he faces when deciding what to do with the American. He notes that in any other case, he would easily be able to carry out his patriotic duty and turn Tom over to the police. But since Tom is wounded and he is a doctor, he is incapable of doing so since he took an oath to not harm anyone in his care as much as he can help it.

“Watching him, she wondered if the stories they heard sometimes of the sufferings of prisoners were true.”

Hana contemplates what she has been taught to believe about Japan. While observing Tom, she notices the scars that allude to his torture in captivity. Though news of this cruelty was suppressed by the government, she begins to wonder if her people are as cruel as the reports have stated.

“But sometimes she remembered such men as General Takima, who at home beat his wife cruelly, though no one mentioned it now since he had fought so victorious a battle in Manchuria. If a man like that could be so cruel to a woman in his power, would he not be cruel to one like this for instance?”

This passage once again shows Hana wondering about the cruelty of the Japanese military. Her thoughts on General Takima and how he acts at home indicate that Hana can believe the military is indeed capable of the mistreatment of prisoners.

“‘My master’s son knows very well what he ought to do,’ he now said, pinching a bud from a bush as he spoke. ‘When the man was so near death why did he not let him bleed?’”

This statement is made by one of the servants employed by Sadao and Hana. By calling Sadao “[his] master’s son,” the servant indicates that he was once in the service of Sadao’s father. This further indicates that the servant is as traditional and dutiful as Sadao’s father was. The servant is frustrated that Sadao did not do what he considers the duty of the Japanese man and an honorable father.

“‘Why is it we cannot see clearly what we ought to do?’ she asked him. ‘Even the servants see more clearly than we do. Why are we so different from other Japanese?’”

Hana asks Sadao why they are different from the other Japanese. This instance occurs after Yumi has told Hana that the servants are unhappy with the American’s presence in the house. The servants are predisposed to believe that Sadao and Hana must view the Americans favorably since they have both studied in America. The servants believe that it was this prolonged residence in an enemy country that has led Sadao and Hana to neglect their patriotic loyalty.

“‘It is very unfortunate that this man should have washed up on your doorstep,’ he said irritably.”

This statement is made by the general when he considers Sadao’s dilemma. The general believes that Tom’s appearance at Sadao’s house is an inconvenience for himself, indicating that the general is more concerned with his well-being than that of any other character. The general further states that if Sadao were to be imprisoned for his actions, the general would be in life-threatening jeopardy due to his ill health.

“He would tell Hana nothing since she would be timid at the idea of assassins in the house, and yet certainly such persons were essential in an absolute state such as Japan was. How else could rulers deal with those who opposed them?”

Sadao knows that revealing the plan of the assassins killing Tom would upset Hana. His statement that this is the way rulers, particularly those of an absolute state, deal with any who oppose them indicates that Sadao, like Hana, is also aware of the stories about the mistreatment of prisoners of war. This knowledge is key to comprehending Hana’s hesitance in helping Tom in the first place.

“Say, Doctor, I’ve got something I want to say to you. If I hadn’t met a Jap like you—well, I wouldn’t be alive today. I know that.”

Tom’s statement to Sadao is a clear example of the theme of racial prejudice. Tom uses a derogatory term to refer to Sadao, and the way he uses it indicates that he has been taught to use the word casually and that his general beliefs about the Japanese have been ingrained in him.

“Sadao drew his kimono round his weary body. He could not, he decided suddenly, go through another night. It was not that he cared for this young man’s life. No, simply it was not worth the strain.”

Though Sadao’s thoughts indicate that he has decided to help Tom escape as a matter of convenience for himself, the reader knows that this is not his sole motivation. From his interactions, Sadao has changed ideals and recognizes that the prisoner is a young man who deserves to live despite what Sadao has been taught to believe.

“‘I realize you are saving my life again,’ he told Sadao.

‘Not at all,’ Sadao said. ‘It is only inconvenient to have you here any longer.’”

Tom’s confession to Sadao that he is aware Sadao has saved his life once before and is doing so again indicates that Sadao’s kind actions have changed Tom’s point of view. Tom’s racial prejudice from his experience in captivity has been changed because of the kindness of Sadao and Hana.

“The young American without a word shook Sadao’s hand warmly and then walked quite well across the floor and down the step into the darkness of the garden.”

The event in this quote is the resolution of the tension in the story. Human kindness defeats racial prejudice, and two men who once considered each other enemies shake hands and part ways. The prejudice of both men has been challenged.

“The Americans were full of prejudice and it had been bitter to live in it, knowing himself their superior.”

This statement is an example of irony. Sadao experienced racial prejudice during his studies in America, but even though he viewed the Americans as being prejudiced, he has maintained the traditional Japanese view that his race is superior.