No Men are foreign
I) Answers to Text book questions:
1. (i) “Beneath all uniforms…” What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?
Ans)The poet is probably speaking about the uniforms that the soldiers wear at the time of war. The word ‘uniform’ here could also mean the traditional dresses of a country.
(ii) How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?
Ans)The poet suggests that all people on earth are the same as they breathe, wake, sleep, hate, love and labour in the same manner. When they die, they are buried under the same earth. The importance of the sun and air and water is equal for everyone.
Everyone needs peace and suffers from starvation during wars.
2. In stanza 1, find five ways in which we all are alike.
Ans) Each of us has a similar body, we breathe the common air, we walk on the same earth , we live and will die and be buried under the same earth.
3. How many common features can you find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.
Ans)There are five common features in stanza 2. All men share the sun, the air, the water.
All men are fed by the crops they harvest. They all labour to make a living.
4. “…whenever we are told to hate our brothers…” When do you think this happens? Why? Who ‘tells’ us? Should we do as we are told at such times? What does the poet say?
Ans)Whenever there is war, leaders tell people to hate the other country. They tell us to do so because of their personal gains. But we should not act as a puppet in their hands
and do as they say. We should understand that war is futile and analyse the situation
before jumping to conclusions. The poet says that if we fight against our brethren, we
kill and condemn ourselves.
II) Long answer type questions.
Q1. How does the poem ‘No Men are Foreign’ give the message of unity and commonality
of all mankind? Give a reasoned answer.
Ans) James Kirkup gives a definite message of hope to mankind. In spite of apparent
divisions and differences, all of us are united by the common bond of humanity.
Every part of the earth and every human being is nourished by sun, air and
water. In every part of the world, there are so many common things. People have the
same body parts, same needs, feelings and aspirations Moreover, all men have to die
and will be buried in the same earth.
Despite the differences between various nations, there is one thing that they all have
in common. The common people live the same kind of life everywhere.
War is futile. It is only love and goodwill that will help us win over people all over the
world.
Q5. What do you understand by peaceful harvests? How does the poet show the destruction
caused by war `No Men are Foreign'?
Ans) `Peaceful harvests' refers to the fact that it is only in the times of peace that a
civilization progresses. It is only in time of peace that everybody lives in harmony and
contentment.
In fact if a war is raging in a country then that country faces the threat of starvation
since availability of resources is disrupted, production of goods comes to a halt. This
very idea is conveyed by `war's long winter'. Just as in the winter season, there is little
vegetation and the cold hampers life so also, but to a far greater and almost
permanent extent, war renders a land barren. It leaves the people without any means
of sustainability. Both the land and the people are unable to create anything
meaningful.
1. (i) “Beneath all uniforms…” What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?
Ans)The poet is probably speaking about the uniforms that the soldiers wear at the time of war. The word ‘uniform’ here could also mean the traditional dresses of a country.
(ii) How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?
Ans)The poet suggests that all people on earth are the same as they breathe, wake, sleep, hate, love and labour in the same manner. When they die, they are buried under the same earth. The importance of the sun and air and water is equal for everyone.
Everyone needs peace and suffers from starvation during wars.
2. In stanza 1, find five ways in which we all are alike.
Ans) Each of us has a similar body, we breathe the common air, we walk on the same earth , we live and will die and be buried under the same earth.
3. How many common features can you find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.
Ans)There are five common features in stanza 2. All men share the sun, the air, the water.
All men are fed by the crops they harvest. They all labour to make a living.
4. “…whenever we are told to hate our brothers…” When do you think this happens? Why? Who ‘tells’ us? Should we do as we are told at such times? What does the poet say?
Ans)Whenever there is war, leaders tell people to hate the other country. They tell us to do so because of their personal gains. But we should not act as a puppet in their hands
and do as they say. We should understand that war is futile and analyse the situation
before jumping to conclusions. The poet says that if we fight against our brethren, we
kill and condemn ourselves.
II) Long answer type questions.
Q1. How does the poem ‘No Men are Foreign’ give the message of unity and commonality
of all mankind? Give a reasoned answer.
Ans) James Kirkup gives a definite message of hope to mankind. In spite of apparent
divisions and differences, all of us are united by the common bond of humanity.
Every part of the earth and every human being is nourished by sun, air and
water. In every part of the world, there are so many common things. People have the
same body parts, same needs, feelings and aspirations Moreover, all men have to die
and will be buried in the same earth.
Despite the differences between various nations, there is one thing that they all have
in common. The common people live the same kind of life everywhere.
War is futile. It is only love and goodwill that will help us win over people all over the
world.
Q5. What do you understand by peaceful harvests? How does the poet show the destruction
caused by war `No Men are Foreign'?
Ans) `Peaceful harvests' refers to the fact that it is only in the times of peace that a
civilization progresses. It is only in time of peace that everybody lives in harmony and
contentment.
In fact if a war is raging in a country then that country faces the threat of starvation
since availability of resources is disrupted, production of goods comes to a halt. This
very idea is conveyed by `war's long winter'. Just as in the winter season, there is little
vegetation and the cold hampers life so also, but to a far greater and almost
permanent extent, war renders a land barren. It leaves the people without any means
of sustainability. Both the land and the people are unable to create anything
meaningful.
Comments
Post a Comment