Notes: No Men Are Foreign : JKBOSE Class 9th

No Men Are Foreign

About the Poem and Poet: James Kirkup’s poem “No Men Are Foreign” is a heartfelt reminder that all people, no matter where they come from, are fundamentally the same. Kirkup, an English poet known for his empathy and understanding, uses this poem to highlight the shared humanity that connects us all. He emphasizes that differences in nationality and appearance are superficial, and deep down, we all experience the same joys and sorrows. This poem encourages us to look beyond our differences and embrace the common bond that unites every human being.

Poem Stanza 1

Remember, no men are strange,
no countries foreign Beneath all uniforms,
a single body breathes Like ours: the land our brothers walk upon Is earth like this,
in which we all shall lie.

Explanation: The poem “No Men Are Foreign” by James Kirkup reminds us that no one is truly a stranger, and no country is truly foreign. It tells us that underneath all our different clothes and uniforms, we are all the same. The land that others walk on is just like the land we walk on, and in the end, we all return to the same earth when we die. The poem encourages us to see that, despite our differences, we are all part of one human family. 

Explanation in Hinglish: The poem “No Men Are Foreign” by James Kirkup humein yaad dilati hai ki koi bhi insaan sacch mein paraya nahi hai, aur koi bhi desh sacch mein videshi nahi hai. Yeh humein batati hai ki alag-alag kapdon aur uniforms ke neeche, hum sab ek jaise hi hain. Jis zameen par doosre log chalte hain, woh bilkul waise hi hai jaise hamari zameen. Aur aakhir mein, hum sab ek hi mitti mein mil jaate hain jab hum mar jaate hain. Yeh kavita humein yeh samajhne ko kehti hai ki humari sabhi farak ke bawajood, hum sab ek hi insani pariwar ka hissa hain.

Poem Stanza 2

They, too, aware of sun and air and water,
Are fed by peaceful harvests, by war’s long winter starv’d.
Their hands are ours, and in their lines we read
A labour not different from our own.

Explanation: These lines mean that people everywhere need the same basic things to live, like sunlight, air, and water. Just like us, they enjoy the benefits of peaceful times when there is plenty of food, and they suffer during wars when there is scarcity. Their hands are just like our hands, and the work they do is no different from the work we do. The poem shows that people all over the world have similar needs and experiences, reminding us of our shared humanity.

Explaination in Hinglish : Yeh lines ka matlab hai ki sabhi logon ko jeene ke liye wahi basic cheezein chahiye hoti hain, jaise dhoop, hawa, aur paani. Hamari tarah, unhe bhi shanti ke samay ka fayda milta hai jab khana bharpur hota hai, aur yudh ke samay mein wo bhi kami se joojhte hain. Unke haath hamare haathon jaise hi hain, aur jo kaam wo karte hain, wo humare kaam se alag nahi hai. Yeh kavita dikhati hai ki duniya bhar ke logon ki zaruratein aur tajurbe ek jaise hote hain, humein hamari saanjhi insaniyat ki yaad dilati hai.

Poem Stanza 3

Remember they have eyes like ours that wake
Or sleep, and strength that can be won
By love. In every land is a common life
That all can recognise and understand.

Explanation : These lines mean that people everywhere have eyes just like ours that open when they wake up and close when they sleep. They also have the same kind of strength that comes from love and care. No matter where they live, there is a common way of life that everyone can see and understand. The poem tells us that despite our differences, we all share the same basic human experiences.

Explanation in  Hinglish: Ye lines ka matlab hai ki duniya bhar ke logon ke paas aankhein hain jo humare jaisi hain, jo jaagte waqt khulti hain aur sote waqt band hoti hain. Unmein bhi wahi taakat hoti hai jo pyaar aur dekhbhaal se aati hai. Chahe woh kahin bhi rahein, ek samanya jeene ka tareeka hota hai jo sab samajh sakte hain aur dekh sakte hain. Kavita humein batati hai ki bhale hi humare beech mein differences ho, lekin hum sabhi basic insani experiences ko share karte hain.

Poem Stanza 4

Let us remember, whenever we are told
To hate our brothers, it is ourselves
That we shall dispossess, betray, condemn.
Remember, we who take arms against each other

Explanation: Let’s remember that whenever we’re told to hate our brothers, we’re actually harming ourselves. When we hate others, we’re hurting and betraying ourselves. We must remember that when we fight against each other.

Explanation in Hinglish: Chalo yaad rakhein ki jab humein kaha jaata hai ki apne bhaiyon se nafrat karein, toh hum khud ko nuksaan pahuncha rahe hain. Jab hum doosron se nafrat karte hain, toh hum apne aap ko dukhi aur dhoka de rahe hain. Humein yaad rakhna chahiye ki jab hum ek doosre se ladte hain

Poem Stanza 5

It is the human earth that we defile.
Our hells of fire and dust outrage the innocence
Of air that is everywhere our own,
Remember, no men are foreign, and no countries strange.

Explanation : It means that when we pollute and destroy the earth, we are hurting ourselves. Our actions, like creating pollution and destroying the environment, harm the purity of the air that belongs to everyone. We should remember that all people are part of the same world, and no country should seem unfamiliar or strange to us.

Explanation in Hinglish: Iska matlab hai ki jab hum pradushan failate hain aur prithvi ko barbaad karte hain, toh hum apne aap ko nuksaan pahuncha rahe hain. Hamari aisi harkatein, jaise ki pradushan paida karna aur paryavaran ko barbaad karna, sabke liye saaf hawa ko nuksaan pahunchati hain. Humein yaad rakhna chahiye ki sab log ek hi duniya ke hisse hain, aur kisi bhi desh ko anjaan ya ajeeb nahi samajhna chahiye.

Literary Device

Poetic tools used:

1. Repetition: The poet repeats the word “Remember” multiple times to make sure the reader pays attention to important ideas. It’s like emphasizing something several times to make it stick in your mind.

• Example: “Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign.”
• Explanation: The repetition of “Remember” emphasizes the idea that we should always keep in mind that all people share a common humanity.

2. Imagery: This means the poet uses words that create strong pictures in your mind. For example, when the poem talks about “hells of fire and dust,” it paints a vivid and emotional picture of the destruction caused by human conflict.

• Example: “hells of fire and dust”
• Explanation: This phrase creates a vivid image of the devastation caused by war, emphasizing its destructive and tragic consequences.

3. Metaphor: Metaphors are comparisons that don’t use “like” or “as.” In this poem, “It is the human earth that we defile” is a metaphor. It means that our actions of war and destruction harm not just the land, but also humanity itself.

• Example: “It is the human earth that we defile.”
• Explanation: This metaphor suggests that when humans engage in war and destruction, they not only harm the physical earth but also damage their own humanity and moral integrity.

4. Parallelism: This is when the poet uses similar structures or ideas to reinforce a message. For instance, the lines “Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign” are structured similarly. They mean that all people share a common humanity and should not be seen as different or enemies.

• Example: “Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign.”
• Explanation: This line uses parallel structure to reinforce the idea that all people share a common humanity and should not be seen as unfamiliar or enemies.

5. Alliteration: This is when words near each other start with the same sound, like “peaceful harvests” or “war’s long winter starv’d.” It adds a musical quality to the poem and makes it more rhythmic.

• Example: “peaceful harvests”
• Explanation: The repetition of the “h” sound in “peaceful harvests” creates a pleasing and rhythmic effect, enhancing the poetic flow of the line.

6. Symbolism: Symbols are things that represent deeper meanings. In the poem, “sun and air and water” symbolize essential elements of life that everyone shares. They highlight how all humans are connected through basic needs.

• Example: “sun and air and water”
• Explanation: These elements symbolize essential aspects of life that are universally shared by all people, emphasizing the interconnectedness of humanity.

7. Personification: This is when the poet gives human qualities to things that aren’t human. For example, “the innocence of air” suggests that even the air can be affected by human actions, like war, which can harm its purity.

• Example: “the innocence of air”
• Explanation: By attributing innocence to the air, the poet personifies it, suggesting that even something as pure and essential as air can be affected by human actions and conflicts.

These poetic devices help the poem convey its message about unity, shared humanity, and the consequences of conflict in a powerful and memorable way.

Question and Answer Section

1. What does the poet mean by ‘uniforms’ in the poem?

In the poem, “uniforms” refers to the clothing worn by soldiers or people in different roles, highlighting how beneath these outward differences, everyone shares the same human qualities and should be treated with understanding and respect.

2. What according to the poet makes all the people alike on the earth

According to the poet, what makes all people alike on Earth is their shared experiences of sun, air, water, and basic human needs like love and care. These common aspects of life connect everyone despite differences in nationality, culture, or appearance.

3. What outrages the innocence and beauty of this earth?

In the poem “No Men Are Foreign” by James Kirkup, what outrages the innocence and beauty of the earth is the human actions of war and destruction. These actions create “hells of fire and dust” that harm the purity and natural beauty of the environment, disrupting the peaceful harmony that should exist on Earth.

4. What message do you get from the poem?

The poem “No Men Are Foreign” conveys a powerful message of unity and shared humanity. It tells us that despite our differences in appearance, culture, or nationality, we all breathe the same air, feel the same sun, and rely on the same earth for our existence. The poet urges us to recognize that no one is truly foreign or strange; we are all interconnected as human beings. It also warns against the destructive consequences of war and conflict, emphasizing that such actions not only harm others but also defile the beauty and innocence of our world. Overall, the poem encourages empathy, understanding, and peace among all people.

Learning about the literary devices

1. Do you find any rhyme scheme in the poem?

The poem “No Men Are Foreign” by James Kirkup does not strictly adhere to a regular rhyme scheme throughout its entirety. However, there are occasional instances of rhyme and near rhyme that appear sporadically within the poem. Here are a few examples:

1. Stanza 1:
– “Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign”
– Rhyme scheme: ABAB (strange – foreign)

2. Stanza 3:
– “Their hands are ours, and in their lines we read”
– Near rhyme: ours – read

3. Stanza 5:
– “Remember, we who take arms against each other”
– Near rhyme: Remember – other

Overall, while the poem includes some instances of rhyme and near rhyme, it does not maintain a consistent or structured rhyme scheme throughout its entirety. The irregular use of rhyme contributes to the poem’s conversational and contemplative tone, allowing the focus to remain on its profound message about human unity and the impact of conflict.

2. What is the style used by the poet in the poem

James Kirkup’s style in the poem “No Men Are Foreign” is thoughtful and conversational. He speaks directly to the reader, urging them to think about human unity and the impact of conflict. Kirkup uses vivid descriptions and comparisons to stir emotions and create vivid mental images. His overall aim is to foster empathy, understanding, and peace among all people through his sincere and thought-provoking writing.

 

Assignment: 2024