Foreshadowing is a literary technique an author employs to hint at an event that might occur later in the story. Though Buck subtly utilizes foreshadowing in “The Enemy,” the effect leads to a feeling of irony, having the narrative come full circle. Foreshadowing in “The Enemy” occurs at the start of the narrative when Sadao and Hana see Tom, the American, washed up on the shore. From the contextual situation, the reader learns that Tom has escaped captivity by escaping into the sea and that “the man was a prisoner of war” (43). Sadao and Hana suggest that the best solution to their dilemma is to return the man to the sea. This suggestion is ultimately fulfilled when Sadao assists Tom in his escape from Sadao’s home into the sea, where Tom will find safety once again.

Conflict is a literary element that creates a struggle the protagonist must overcome. In usual cases, conflict occurs between the protagonist and the antagonist of a story. The conflict in “The Enemy” is an example of inner conflict.