NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Poem 6 No Men Are Foreign

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive Poem 6 No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup covers the theme of universal brotherhood and anti-war sentiment, poetic devices, and important questions and answers.

Overview of Topics & Subtopics (Click to Jump)

1. About the Poet and Poem
2. Theme & Central Idea
3. Poetic Devices

1. About the Poet and Poem

Short Note:

• James Kirkup was an English poet, and this poem is a powerful appeal for peace and human unity, written against the backdrop of war and division.

• The poem argues that no person and no land are truly foreign, since all human beings share the same basic body, breathe the same air, and depend on the same earth for survival.

• The poet urges readers to see through the artificial 'uniforms' of nationality and difference that lead people to hate and fight one another.

2. Theme & Central Idea

Short Note:

• The central theme is universal brotherhood - the idea that all human beings, regardless of nationality, are fundamentally the same and connected by shared humanity.

• The poem strongly criticises war and violence, arguing that when we harm 'the enemy', we are ultimately harming bodies and lands identical to our own.

• It calls for compassion and understanding, urging people to look beyond superficial labels of nationality, uniform and land ownership.

3. Poetic Devices

Short Note:

• Repetition: Phrases like 'no men are strange' and 'think of the earth' are repeated to reinforce the poem's central message.

• Imagery: Vivid natural imagery, such as leaves, sun, and snow, is used to show how nature is shared equally by all people everywhere.

• Metaphor: The 'uniform' symbolises artificial national and political divisions that hide our common humanity.

Reading With Insight (Textbook Questions)

Q1: According to the poet, why should no men be considered 'foreign'?

Answer: According to the poet, no men should be considered foreign because all human beings share the same physical body, breathe the same air, and walk upon the same earth, meaning our fundamental humanity is identical regardless of nationality.

Q2: What does the poet mean when he refers to the 'uniform' of an enemy?

Answer: The poet uses 'uniform' to refer to the artificial identity imposed by nationality, military dress or political labels, which makes people appear as enemies, when in reality, beneath the uniform, they are ordinary human beings just like us.

Q3: How does the poem link the natural world to the theme of unity?

Answer: The poem points out that natural elements like sunlight, rain, wind and land belong equally to all people everywhere, reinforcing the idea that dividing humanity through borders and hatred goes against the shared nature of our existence on the same earth.

Extract-Based / Short Answer Questions

Q4: What warning does the poet give about the consequences of war?

Answer: The poet warns that in war, when we destroy 'the enemy's' land, homes and lives, we ultimately harm land, homes and human bodies exactly like our own, making violence self-destructive at a fundamental level.

Q5: What is the overall message the poem wants to convey to the world?

Answer: The overall message is a strong appeal for peace, tolerance and understanding, urging humanity to reject hatred and division based on nationality and instead recognise the deep, shared bond that unites all people.

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NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Poem 6 No Men Are Foreign

Overview of Topics & Subtopics (Click to Jump)

1. About the Poet and Poem

2. Theme & Central Idea

3. Poetic Devices

Reading With Insight (Textbook Questions)

Extract-Based / Short Answer Questions

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