Read the given extract and answer the questions for any one of the two, given.

What is the theme of the story? How does it relate to the title of the chapter? Explain with reference to the text. 

Answer as written by the student:

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The theme of the story is the conflict between duty and compassion . It relates to the title of the chapter, which is “The Enemy”, by showing how Sadao has to choose between his loyalty to his country and his humanity to his patient.

Step-by-step explanation of the answer:

To answer this question, we need to identify the theme of the story and explain how it relates to the title of the chapter. We also need to refer to the text to support our answer. 📖

• A theme is the main idea or message that a writer wants to convey through their work. It can be expressed in one or a few words, such as love, war, friendship, etc. 📝
• A title is the name or heading that a writer gives to their work. It can be used to attract the reader’s attention, to summarize the main idea, or to create a connection with the content. 📚
• In this story, Pearl S. Buck explores the theme of the conflict between duty and compassion. She shows how Sadao, a Japanese doctor, has to choose between his loyalty to his country and his humanity to his patient, who is an American soldier and an enemy in World War II. 😕
• She relates this theme to the title of the chapter, which is “The Enemy”, by showing how Sadao has to face his own enemy within himself and outside himself. He has to overcome his fear, hatred, and prejudice towards the soldier, who is also a human being who needs help and gratitude. He also has to deal with the risk, guilt, and betrayal that come with saving the soldier, who is also a threat to his country and his emperor. 😟
• She uses words and phrases that imply contrast, conflict, and dilemma, such as “duty”, “compassion”, “loyalty”, “humanity”, “enemy”, “betrayed”, “secret”, “hesitated”, etc. She also uses contrast and comparison to highlight the differences and similarities between Sadao and the soldier, such as their nationality, education, profession, values, etc. 🙃

Therefore, the theme of the story is the conflict between duty and compassion. It relates to the title of the chapter, which is “The Enemy”, by showing how Sadao has to choose between his loyalty to his country and his humanity to his patient. 🙁

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