Class 9 English - WEST-BENGAL
Poetry: No Men Are Foreign
No Men Are Foreign by James Kirkup is a powerful peace poem prescribed for Class 9 students under the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). The chapter conveys the universal message of brotherhood, equality, and anti-war sentiment. It emphasizes that no men are strange and no countries foreign, as all human beings share the same body, breathe the same air, and walk upon the same earth. For WBBSE board exams, students must understand the central theme, interpret poetic devices like metaphor and refrain, and be prepared to answer reference-to-context and long descriptive questions based on the poet's global outlook.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Universal Brotherhood
The core theme of the poem stating that all human beings across the globe belong to one human family, with no real divisions of nationality or race.
Common Humanity
The idea that all people share identical biological needs, physical attributes, emotions, and experiences like sleeping, waking, loving, and suffering.
Environmental Unity
The concept that humans share the same natural elements—the same sun, air, water, and earth—which nourish us all equally regardless of borders.
Futurity of War
The warning given by the poet that by hating or fighting others, we defile and outrage the very earth that belongs to all of us.
Poetic Device - Refrain
The repetition of the first and last lines ('Remember, no men are strange, no countries foreign') to emphasize the central message of peace.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In WBBSE Class 9 English exams, this chapter typically carries around 5 to 8 marks. Questions usually include multiple-choice questions (MCQs), very short answer questions (VSAQs), reference-to-context questions from specific stanzas, and descriptive long answers focusing on the central theme, message, or poetic significance of the poem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central message of the poem 'No Men Are Foreign'?
The central message is global peace and universal brotherhood, teaching us that no human being is a stranger and no country is foreign.
How are all people similar according to the poet?
The poet states that all people have the same body, breathe the same air, walk the same earth, and experience the same sun, sleep, and love.
Why does the poet say that we 'defile' the earth during war?
When we wage war against others, we use weapons that pollute the pure air and soil of the earth, which belongs to all of us equally.
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