CBSE Class 11 English Chapter 9 Refugee Blues NCERT Solutions

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This is a summary of CBSE Class 11 English, Chapter 9, 'Refugee Blues'. The poem powerfully captures the anguish and displacement of Jewish refugees during the Nazi regime. W.H. Auden employs the 'Blues' ballad structure to articulate the deep sorrow, relentless persecution, and overwhelming existential dread experienced by those forced to abandon their homes. The solutions explore the poem's rich symbolism, including the use of animal and bird imagery, and highlight the stark contrast between the refugees' profound suffering and the world's political apathy. It also examines the poignant irony embedded in their desperate search for 'Happiness'. These explanations aim to deepen students' understanding of the poem's emotional resonance and literary artistry, providing clear interpretations to support their academic learning and exam preparation.

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BoardCBSE
ClassClass 11
SubjectEnglish
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter9. Refugee Blues

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for 'Refugee Blues' (Chapter 9) for CBSE Class 11 English focuses on understanding the poem's melancholic theme. It breaks down the use of the 'Blues' ballad form, the symbolism of animal and bird references, the juxtaposition of human plight with political actions, and the ironic pursuit of happiness. The solutions aim to provide a clear interpretation of the poem's narrative of suffering and displacement.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the thematic concerns of 'Refugee Blues', focusing on displacement and persecution.
  • Analyze the poetic devices used by W.H. Auden, particularly the 'Blues' ballad form.
  • Interpret the symbolism of animals and birds in contrast to the human condition.
  • Explain the poem's commentary on the political climate and its impact on refugees.
  • Evaluate the significance of specific lines and phrases within the poem.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Theme of Refugee Blues
  • W.H. Auden's 'Blues' Ballad Form
  • Symbolism of Animals and Birds
  • Human Condition vs. Political Class
  • Historical Context: Nazism and Jewish Persecution
  • Irony and Despair
  • Poetic Devices and Tone
  • Interpretation of Key Lines

Important topics

  • Thematic exploration of refugee suffering
  • Analysis of the 'Blues' ballad form
  • Symbolic contrast: animals vs. humans
  • Critique of the political climate
  • Historical context of persecution

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Questions and Solutions

The title, 'Refugee Blues' encapsulates the theme of the poem. Comment.

The title, 'Refugee Blues' encapsulates the theme of the poem. Comment.
Solution: The title 'Refugee Blues' is deeply significant as it encapsulates the poem's central theme of sorrow and suffering. The term 'Blues' refers to a genre of African-American music that originated in the late 19th century, characterized by its melancholic and sad tone, often described as "the sad black slave's songs." In this poem, W.H. Auden employs this 'Blue Ballad' form to narrate the harrowing experiences of Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. The poem focuses on a Jewish couple who escaped Germany and emigrated to the United States. These refugees, now singing this 'Blue', express their profound agony and pain, feeling they have nowhere to truly belong or find solace.

What is the poetic technique used by the poet to convey the plaintive theme of the poem?

What is the poetic technique used by the poet to convey the plaintive theme of the poem?
Solution: The primary poetic technique used by W.H. Auden to convey the plaintive theme of 'Refugee Blues' is the 'Blue Ballad' form. This is a deliberate blend of two distinct traditions: the Ballad, popular in Ireland and Britain until the 18th century, and the Blues, an African-American music genre that emerged at the end of the 19th century. Auden, a British poet who later migrated to the USA, masterfully combines these forms to articulate the sorrows and sufferings of Jewish refugees. The poem follows a structure where the first two lines of each stanza rhyme, forming a tercet, while the third line incorporates a repetitive pattern, often using the phrase "my dear." This repetition provides a unique uniformity and emphasizes the melancholic refrain. Additionally, the first word of every stanza is a verb, adding a dynamic element. The poem is also notable for its first-person narrative, employing a colloquial and informal language that draws the reader closer to the speaker's personal anguish.

What do the references to the birds and animals made in the poem suggest?

What do the references to the birds and animals made in the poem suggest?
Solution: The references to birds and animals in 'Refugee Blues' serve as a powerful device to highlight the plight and lack of freedom experienced by the Jewish refugees. The poem contrasts the natural, unhindered existence of creatures like dogs, cats, and fish with the constant terror and insecurity faced by the refugees. Despite escaping to America, they are unwelcome and live under the shadow of loss, death, and the memory of the Fuhrer's orders to exterminate their race. The poet emphasizes that even a fish, swimming freely just ten feet away, possesses a liberty denied to the human narrator and his wife. This juxtaposition underscores the dehumanization and lack of basic rights and respect that the Jews endured, making their suffering more poignant by comparing it to the simple freedom enjoyed by the animal kingdom.

How does the poet juxtapose the human condition with the behaviour of the political class?

How does the poet juxtapose the human condition with the behaviour of the political class?
Solution: The poet juxtaposes the dire human condition of the refugees with the destructive behaviour of the political class by illustrating the stark division in society and the pervasive hatred directed towards Jews. In an era dominated by Nazism and Adolf Hitler's ideology, the political climate was one of terror and extermination. The poem highlights how political rhetoric, such as Hitler's pronouncements that "they must die," created widespread fear. Even in the United States, where the couple sought refuge, anti-Semitic sentiments were voiced in public meetings, suggesting that Jews were perceived as threats who would take away jobs and food. This creates a striking contrast: on one side are the refugees, destitute, scared, bewildered, stripped of identity, and constantly threatened with death; on the other side is the world divided into those who inflict pain and those who suffer it. The political class actively fuels this division and persecution, leaving the refugees utterly vulnerable.

How is the essence of the poem captured in the lines 'two tickets to Happiness'?

How is the essence of the poem captured in the lines 'two tickets to Happiness'?
Solution: The lines 'two tickets to Happiness' poignantly capture the essence of the poem by revealing the refugees' deep-seated desire for peace, security, and a return to a normal life, despite their current state of homelessness and loss of identity. They are so desperate for happiness that they are willing to pay for it, imagining an express train that leads to a land of joy. This imagery highlights their pitiable and lamentable situation. The inability to find such a train or a place to board it, coupled with the pervasive presence of death and Hitler's decree that "they must die," underscores the impossibility of achieving happiness in their circumstances. Even when they reach a seemingly safe, snow-covered land, the threat of being hunted by the Nazi army suggests that true happiness remains an elusive, unattainable dream for them.

Common mistakes

  • Misinterpreting the 'Blues' form as solely a musical genre without its narrative and emotional function.
  • Overlooking the symbolic contrast between free animals/birds and the persecuted refugees.
  • Failing to connect the poem's themes to the historical context of Nazism and the Holocaust.
  • Not fully grasping the irony and desperation conveyed in the search for 'Happiness'.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem aloud to feel the rhythm and melancholic tone characteristic of the 'Blues' form.
  • Create a table comparing the freedom of animals/birds with the plight of the refugees.
  • Summarize the historical context (Nazi Germany, persecution of Jews) before analyzing the poem.
  • Focus on the poet's word choices and imagery to understand the emotional impact.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary mood conveyed by the title 'Refugee Blues'?

Q2. The poem uses the 'Blues' ballad form, which originated from:

Q3. What do the references to free birds and animals in the poem suggest?

Q4. The phrase 'two tickets to Happiness' primarily suggests:

Q5. The poem critiques the political class by showing:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'Refugee Blues'?

The main theme of 'Refugee Blues' is the profound sorrow, displacement, and persecution faced by Jewish refugees, particularly during the Nazi era, highlighting their suffering and lack of belonging.

How does the poet use the 'Blues' form in 'Refugee Blues'?

The poet uses the 'Blues' ballad form, known for its melancholic and narrative qualities, to effectively convey the agony, pain, and suffering of the Jewish refugees fleeing persecution.

What is the significance of the references to animals and birds in the poem?

The references to animals and birds highlight the stark contrast between their freedom and the lack of freedom, safety, and dignity experienced by the human refugees, emphasizing the refugees' pitiable condition.

How does the poem portray the political class?

The poem portrays the political class as indifferent, hateful, and even actively hostile towards refugees, referencing ideologies like Nazism that led to persecution and the Holocaust.

What does the phrase 'two tickets to Happiness' symbolize?

This phrase symbolizes the refugees' desperate longing for a safe and happy existence, a desire so strong they are willing to 'buy' tickets to it, even if it's an imagined escape.

Who is the poet of 'Refugee Blues'?

The poet of 'Refugee Blues' is W.H. Auden.

Important links

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