Class 9 Beehive Poem Chapter 6 Question Answers - No Men Are Foreign

Q.1. How does the poem justify that people in all countries of the world are essentially the same?
Ans. 

• The poet justifies the statement that people in different countries are essentially the same by emphasizing the unity in human nature across the world. The poet begins by stating that "no men are strange" and "no countries foreign," which implies that all people, regardless of their nationality, share the same fundamental experiences and emotions. Every human body functions in the same way, requiring basic elements such as air, water, and sunlight for survival, just like ours.

• We all work for a living, using our hands to labor and toil for our daily bread. The poet further explains that the eyes of all humans are similar in the way they experience the world—through seeing, waking, and sleeping. Furthermore, the poet highlights that emotions like love are universal; love has the power to bind humanity together. In times of peace, all humans flourish, and wars only bring starvation, destruction, and devastation. Hatred only leads us to stray from the path of peace, and when humans engage in warfare, the earth becomes polluted and defiled.
• The poet stresses that despite the superficial differences that separate people of different nations, there is an underlying unity that binds humanity together. We are all connected by our shared needs, emotions, and experiences, and wars only serve to destroy this unity. Therefore, the poet concludes that people across the world are essentially the same, and we should embrace our shared humanity rather than focus on divisions.

Q.2. ‘Wars have always brought total ruin in this world, yet they are fought repeatedly.’ Discuss.
Ans. 

• Wars have consistently been the source of destruction and devastation in the world, yet they continue to be fought due to the ambitions and greed of certain leaders and rulers. These individuals often prioritize their own selfish desires for power, territory, or resources, and this hunger for domination leads to conflicts that can engulf entire nations or even the world. The poet highlights that wars result in complete ruin, both for the victor and the vanquished, as they shatter economies, destroy infrastructures, and cause immense human suffering.

• In the past, wars were often localized, but in the modern era, wars have become global, making them even more destructive and dangerous. The poet reminds us of the horrific consequences of the First and Second World Wars, which left a lasting impact on the world. The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 serves as a chilling reminder of the potential for destruction that modern warfare holds. Even today, the scars of those bombings can still be seen, as the affected areas continue to suffer the consequences.
• Despite these tragic lessons from history, the poet laments that humanity has not learned from its past mistakes. The possibility of another war always looms, and the world remains on edge due to the existence of divisive forces and the continued arms race. The poet urges common people to recognize their power and refuse to be manipulated by unscrupulous leaders. The hope for peace lies in ordinary people, who must come together to foster a sense of global unity and peaceful coexistence. By seeing the world as a global village, people can work together to create a harmonious and prosperous future for all.

Q.3. How does the poet James Kirkup prove that no men are foreign? How far is he able to convince his reader about it?
Ans. 

•  In the poem "No Men are Foreign," James Kirkup proves that no men are foreign by presenting a series of logical and emotional arguments that highlight the commonalities shared by all human beings. The very title of the poem challenges the conventional idea of "foreigners" by stating that no one is truly foreign or strange. The poet’s intention is to dissolve the boundaries that divide humanity and encourage readers to see people from other countries as their equals.

• Throughout the poem, Kirkup emphasizes the shared experiences of all people. He reminds us that all human beings live on the same earth, breathe the same air, drink the same water, and are nourished by the same sunlight. These basic necessities of life are common to everyone, regardless of nationality. Furthermore, all humans experience the same emotions, such as love and the desire for peace. The poet points out that people from different countries work hard, just as we do, to make a living and provide for their families.
• Kirkup also touches on the destructive nature of war, which affects everyone, regardless of which side they are on. War leads to starvation, suffering, and pollution, and it harms the earth and the environment that we all depend on. By treating other people as foreigners, we create divisions that lead to conflict and strife, ultimately harming ourselves in the process.
• Through his logical reasoning and emotional appeals, Kirkup successfully convinces the reader that no one is foreign. He makes a compelling case for unity and brotherhood, urging readers to recognize the shared humanity that binds us all together. The poem encourages readers to reject the idea of "others" and to embrace a sense of global kinship that transcends national boundaries.

Q.4. How, according to the poet, the human earth is ‘defiled’ and the innocence of air ‘outraged’?
Ans. 

• According to the poet, the human earth is "defiled" and the innocence of air is "outraged" by the destructive impact of war. The term "defiled" refers to the pollution and degradation of the earth caused by human actions, specifically the devastation wrought by warfare. When countries go to war, they unleash a barrage of weapons that destroy the natural environment, turning fertile land into barren wasteland. The explosive power of bombs and other ammunition devastates the land, rendering it unusable for agriculture and causing irreparable damage to ecosystems.
• The poet also highlights the environmental consequences of war. Explosions and fires caused by warfare send plumes of smoke and ash into the air, polluting the atmosphere and making it difficult to breathe. The purity of the air is violated, or "outraged," as it becomes tainted with the toxic byproducts of war. The air, which was once clean and life-giving, is transformed into a vehicle for disease and death. The harmful gases released during wartime lead to the spread of illnesses and further endanger the lives of those who survive the immediate violence of war.
• The poet laments that war not only harms the earth and air but also disrupts the delicate balance of nature. The natural world, which once provided sustenance and shelter for humanity, becomes hostile and inhospitable due to the actions of men. The poet’s use of the words "defiled" and "outraged" conveys a deep sense of violation, as war strips the earth and air of their innocence and purity. In the aftermath of war, both the victor and the vanquished must contend with the destruction of the environment, as the once-kind and nurturing earth becomes barren and lifeless.

Q.5. A great persons tell us to live cordially and as brothers. But we people tend to fight over trivial issues. Why don’t we live with others harmoniously? What makes us fight and hurt others?
Ans. 

• It is indeed true that numerous great individuals have always guided us to live harmoniously and peacefully with one another, as brothers and sisters. These teachings span centuries, urging humanity to foster love, tolerance, and unity. Yet, despite these persistent messages, we often fail to follow their advice. One of the primary reasons for this failure is our insatiable greed—our constant desire to accumulate more wealth, power, and status. This quest for personal gain disrupts our inner peace and leads us away from harmony.
• However, the root cause of this disharmony extends beyond mere greed. Deep-rooted social evils, such as discrimination based on caste, religion, ethnicity, and wealth, create unnecessary divisions among people. These divisions are man-made; they stem from selfish motives and a desire to assert superiority over others. Despite knowing that all human beings are inherently equal—after all, we are all creations of the same God—we allow ego and pride to guide our actions.
• This ego-driven mindset often leads us to create distinctions even among family members, allowing petty disagreements and power struggles to drive wedges between us. In the process, we harm not only others but also ourselves. A person consumed by selfishness becomes an object of disdain within society. In return, they lose the respect and love of others.
• Thus, before acting impulsively or hurting someone, we must pause and reflect on whether such actions are justified. Is our behavior fair to others? Would society approve of such conduct? Instead of fostering hatred, we should strive to live together harmoniously, with tolerance, forgiveness, and a spirit of compromise. By doing so, we can build a peaceful and fulfilling life for ourselves and those around us.

Q.6. How are we responsible for war? Explain with reference to the poem No Men are Foreign’.
Ans. 

• According to the poem No Men are Foreign, every individual bears some responsibility for war. War does not emerge solely from the actions of political leaders or military forces; it arises from the hatred and divisions that fester within ordinary people. When we start to hate our fellow human beings—when we see them as strangers, enemies, or "foreigners"—we contribute to an environment of tension and conflict. This tension gradually builds and, if left unchecked, can escalate into war.
• The poet emphasizes that our negative thoughts and actions towards others lay the groundwork for violence and destruction. When we dehumanize others or treat them with contempt, we sow the seeds of conflict. Our biased and impolite behavior, whether fueled by prejudice, greed, or a desire for power, becomes the breeding ground for war. If we allow these attitudes to flourish, we are directly contributing to the chaos and devastation that war brings.
• Thus, the poem serves as a reminder that peace begins with each individual. By treating others with respect, kindness, and equality, we can prevent the spread of hatred and stop wars before they start.

Q.7. The land our brothers walk upon. Is earth like this, in which we all shall lie!’ What does the poet mean to say the above lines? Explain.
Ans. The poet means to say in these lines that it is the same land on which we walk and after our death, we would be buried in the same earth. Through these lines, the poet tells us that we do all our activities on the same land. We get food from this land. We make our houses on this land and we get many other things from the same land, then why do we say to some people to be `others’?. No one is other. We live in the same house or universe as a family. Then why do we create discrimination against some people? Why do we fight with our brothers? It is all because of our greed to get more wealth and power. We want to have more wealth and power than others. In the pursuit to fulfill this desire, we fight with others and hurt them.
The poet also tells us that one day all of us have to die. Nothing would remain ours. We will have to leave all the things on the same earth. At last, we all will be buried in the same earth.

Q.8. How are we alike? Explain in context with the poem.
Ans. We all are alike. We have the same body structure. All of us need the same air to breathe, the same sun to get sunlight and warmth and the same water for many purposes. Our daily routine is also almost the same. We get up in the morning, take a bath, have breakfast and go to work or school. All of us long for love. We all sleep at night and wake up in the morning.
When our needs and feelings are the same, then we should treat all people equally.
We should not look down upon anybody on the basis of his/her colour, caste, region or gender. We should treat everyone as our brother and sister.
Unfortunately, some self-centered people fight with others and try to hurt them. They think that others have harmed them. We should not think that other people are ‘others’. They are also our brothers. If they make any mistakes, we should forgive them or compromise with them.