Short Answer Type Questions: No Men are Foreign | English Class 9 PDF Download

Q1. What should we remember about men?

Ans: We should remember that no men are strange. Everyone shares the same basic human experiences, regardless of their background or nationality. Beneath all uniforms, we all breathe the same air and walk on the same earth. 

Q2. What should we remember about countries?

Ans: We should remember that no countries are foreign. This means that all nations share a common humanity. We often perceive others as different, but fundamentally, we are all part of the same world.

Q3. Where shall we all lie in the end? 

Ans: In the end, we all shall lie on the earth.

Q4. What are all men fed by?

Ans: All men are nourished by peaceful harvests and suffer from the starvation caused by war. Their hands and efforts are similar to ours, revealing a shared labour that connects us all. They possess eyes that see and feel, just like we do, and their strength can be gained through love. Across every land, there is a common life that we can all recognise and understand.

Q5. What do you mean by a peaceful harvest? 

Ans: By peaceful harvests, we refer to the crops that are cultivated during times of peace. This period allows for the growth of food without the disruptions caused by conflict.

Q6. What do you mean ‘wars’ long winter? 

Ans: The term war's long winter refers to the difficult and painful times during a conflict when people are forced to stay indoors. It highlights the suffering and hardship experienced during such periods.

Q7. Why should we not hate others?

Ans: We should not hate others because we are all part of the same human family. Every person is our brother or sister, regardless of their background or beliefs. Hatred only leads to division and suffering, while understanding and compassion can bring us together.

Q8. What do you mean by ‘hells of fire and dust’?

Ans: ‘Hells of fire and dust’ refers to the devastating impacts of war, highlighting the immense destruction and suffering it causes. This phrase captures the chaos and ruin that accompany conflicts, illustrating how warfare leads to both physical and emotional devastation.

Q9. “Beneath all uniforms…” What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?

Ans: The poet refers to the uniforms worn by the armies of various countries. Despite their different appearances, the bodies beneath these uniforms are fundamentally the same. The poet conveys that the differences among people from different nations are merely superficial. Ultimately, all human beings share a common essence.

Q10. Whom does the poet refer to as ‘our brothers’ and why?

Ans: The poet refers to people from different countries as ‘our brothers’. He believes that the superficial differences in complexion, language, dress, culture, and nationality should not divide us as human beings. Instead, our human wants, needs, hopes, and emotions are fundamentally the same, regardless of where we come from.

Q11. How does the poet suggest (in the first stanza) that all people on earth are the same?

Ans: In the first stanza, the poet conveys that no human is truly strange or different. Beneath our varied appearances, we all possess similar hearts, minds, and souls. We share the same way of breathing and living. The earth is a common asset for all, and ultimately, we will all face death and be buried in a similar manner.

Q12. What does the poet mean when he says, ‘in which we all shall lie’?

Ans: The poet suggests that we all will eventually lie beneath the same earth, indicating that death is a common fate for everyone. The term "lie" refers to being buried after passing away. This serves to emphasise that we all share the same ultimate destiny, and therefore, there is little reason to harbour hatred towards one another.

Q13. Why does the poet call harvests ‘peaceful’ and war as ‘winter’?

Ans: Harvests are described as ‘peaceful’ because they represent abundance and prosperity, flourishing only in times of peace. In contrast, war is likened to the harsh ‘winter’ that devastates crops and leads to starvation. Peaceful periods foster harmony and contentment, while war brings destruction, forcing people to endure hunger, poverty, disease, and death.

Q14. ”…whenever we are told to hate our brothers….” When do you think this happens and why?

Ans: Whenever their own importance or existence is threatened, politicians and religious leaders encourage us to believe that our lives and interests are at risk. This manipulation leads to hatred towards our fellow humans. Such situations arise when we allow our fears and hatred to cloud our judgement.

Q15. In one of the stanzas, the poet finds similarity in human hands. What is it?

Ans: The poet expresses that people from all countries work hard in a similar way to earn their living. This effort is primarily carried out through their hands. It is these hands that perform all the work in the world and serve as a source of creativity for everyone.

Q16. Why does the poet say that people of the world should live in peace and not go to war?

Ans: The poet advocates for living in peace because it leads to progress, prosperity, and happiness in our world. He urges humanity to avoid wars, as they result in death, exploitation, poverty, and starvation. Wars also pollute the earth and the air we share, harming everyone.

Q17. How does the poet propose to win over other countries?

Ans: The poet suggests winning over other countries through the power of love. Love is a universal force that encourages positive responses, fostering kindness and understanding. By promoting love, the poet aims to eliminate hatred and conflict, ultimately creating a peaceful world where everyone can coexist harmoniously.

Q18. Who, according to you, is the speaker in this poem?

Ans: The speaker in this poem is the poet himself, representing the inherent goodness of the human heart. He embodies the values of love, peace, and universal brotherhood. As a champion of these ideals, he promotes joy and connection among all people.

Q19. In four stanzas out of five, the poet uses the word “Remember”. Why do you think he has repeated this word so many times?

Ans: By repeating the word ‘remember’, the poet emphasises the importance of recognising that our ideas, emotions, and experiences are similar to those of people we often consider ‘strange’ or ‘foreign’. He aims to highlight that all human beings share a common nature, and the stages of human life are the same across the globe.

Q20. What is the central idea of the poem?

Ans: The central idea of the poem is that all human beings are similar and equal. Therefore, we should love one another and strive to live in peace and harmony. Embracing universal brotherhood and harmonious co-existence will not only unite us but also help protect our mother earth from pollution and damage.

Q21. When do we defile the earth?

Ans: We defile the earth when we take up arms against one another. Wars bring immense suffering and often achieve nothing.

Q22. How do we defile and outrage the ‘human earth’ that is ours?

Ans: Hate breeds hatred. Narrow ideas pollute and defile our shared earth. The ‘hells of fire and dust’ are creations of our own making, which violate the innocence of air that belongs to us all. We must remember that Mother Earth is a home for all people and lands.