Question:
Why and how the American soldier was hurt in the story 'The Enemy'?
Why and how the American soldier was hurt in the story 'The Enemy'?
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When answering questions about events in a story, be specific. Mentioning the exact type of injury (e.g., a bullet wound near the kidney) and the cause (shot during an escape) demonstrates a close reading of the text.
Updated On: Oct 28, 2025
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Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question requires an explanation of the circumstances that led to the American soldier's injuries as described in Pearl S. Buck's story, 'The Enemy'. It asks for both the cause ('why') and the nature ('how') of his wounds.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Part 1: Why he was hurt?
The American soldier was a prisoner of war (POW). He was hurt because he had escaped from captivity and was likely shot by Japanese soldiers during his escape attempt. As an enemy combatant in Japanese territory during World War II, he was a target for the Japanese forces.
Part 2: How he was hurt?
The soldier sustained multiple injuries:
Gunshot Wound: He had been shot in the back. The bullet was still lodged in his body, close to the kidney. Dr. Sadao notes that he had lost a lot of blood and the wound was a few days old. This was his most life-threatening injury.
Wounds from Rocks: The sea had tossed him against the coastal rocks. These sharp rocks had torn his skin, leaving deep scratches and wounds on his body. Dr. Sadao observes that "the rocks had scarred him".
Torture: The text also implies that he had been tortured during his time as a prisoner, as indicated by the "red scars on his neck".
He was found in a near-dead state, having been battered by both his captors and the harsh natural environment during his escape.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The American soldier was hurt because he was an escaped prisoner of war who was shot by his Japanese captors. He was injured by a gunshot wound in his back and also suffered cuts and bruises from being thrown against sharp coastal rocks by the waves after his escape.
This question requires an explanation of the circumstances that led to the American soldier's injuries as described in Pearl S. Buck's story, 'The Enemy'. It asks for both the cause ('why') and the nature ('how') of his wounds.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Part 1: Why he was hurt?
The American soldier was a prisoner of war (POW). He was hurt because he had escaped from captivity and was likely shot by Japanese soldiers during his escape attempt. As an enemy combatant in Japanese territory during World War II, he was a target for the Japanese forces.
Part 2: How he was hurt?
The soldier sustained multiple injuries:
Gunshot Wound: He had been shot in the back. The bullet was still lodged in his body, close to the kidney. Dr. Sadao notes that he had lost a lot of blood and the wound was a few days old. This was his most life-threatening injury.
Wounds from Rocks: The sea had tossed him against the coastal rocks. These sharp rocks had torn his skin, leaving deep scratches and wounds on his body. Dr. Sadao observes that "the rocks had scarred him".
Torture: The text also implies that he had been tortured during his time as a prisoner, as indicated by the "red scars on his neck".
He was found in a near-dead state, having been battered by both his captors and the harsh natural environment during his escape.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The American soldier was hurt because he was an escaped prisoner of war who was shot by his Japanese captors. He was injured by a gunshot wound in his back and also suffered cuts and bruises from being thrown against sharp coastal rocks by the waves after his escape.
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