Table of contents | |
Key Points of the Poem | |
Detailed Summary | |
Theme/Message | |
Difficult Words |
Key Points of the Poem
Detailed Summary
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.
In this stanza, the poet is reminding us that no person is truly strange or foreign to us. Despite different appearances and nationalities, we all share a common humanity. The poet emphasizes that beneath the clothing that may distinguish us, we all share the same essence of being human. The land that our brothers and sisters inhabit is just like the land we walk on, and ultimately, we all return to the earth when we pass away.
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.
This stanza highlights the common experiences shared by people in different parts of the world. Just like us, they are aware of the sun, air, and water that sustain life. They rely on peaceful harvests for sustenance, and in times of war and deprivation, they also suffer. The poet emphasizes the unity of humanity by stating that their hands are like ours, and in the lines on their palms, we can see the evidence of hard work that is no different from our own.
Remember they have eyes like ours that wake
Or sleep, and strength that can be won
By love. In every land is common life
That all can recognize and understand.
In this stanza, the poet continues to emphasize the similarities between people across the globe. People everywhere have eyes that open and close, indicating their shared humanity. The poet suggests that strength can be gained through love, a universal emotion that transcends boundaries. Regardless of where we are from, there is a common thread of life that runs through all cultures and societies, something that everyone can relate to and appreciate.
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
This stanza serves as a powerful reminder against hatred and division. The poet urges us to remember that when we are encouraged to hate others, it is ultimately ourselves that we harm. By giving in to hate, we dispossess not only others but also ourselves of compassion and understanding. Taking up arms against each other only results in mutual destruction and loss. It's a plea for unity and peace rather than animosity and conflict.
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.
The final stanza underscores the impact of our actions on the world we share. By engaging in conflicts and polluting the environment, we desecrate the earth that sustains all of humanity. The poet highlights the irony of how we tarnish the purity of the air, which belongs to everyone. The message is a call to remember that we are all interconnected, and no one is truly foreign or strange. It's a plea for understanding, cooperation, and respect for our common home.
Theme/Message
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Message:
Difficult Words
Useful Expressions
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1. What is the central theme of the poem "No Men are Foreign"? |
2. How does the poet convey the message of unity in the poem? |
3. What is the significance of the title "No Men are Foreign"? |
4. How does the poem challenge the concept of national borders and divisions? |
5. What message does the poet aim to convey about the importance of empathy and understanding in "No Men are Foreign"? |
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