CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 11: No Men Are Foreign - NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 11, 'No Men Are Foreign,' explores the profound theme of universal brotherhood and the senselessness of conflict. These solutions unpack the poet's message, emphasizing that despite superficial differences in nationality, religion, or appearance, all humans share fundamental commonalities. The chapter highlights our shared reliance on the earth's resources – air, water, and land – and the universal nature of human bodies and experiences. It strongly advocates for rejecting hatred and recognizing the inherent oneness of humanity, asserting that no person or nation is truly foreign. The solutions aim to deepen students' understanding of the poem's rich imagery and language, enabling them to analyze its literary merits and prepare thoroughly for their examinations by solidifying their comprehension of the text's core ideas.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 9
SubjectEnglish Beehive
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 11

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive, Chapter 11, 'No Men Are Foreign', focuses on understanding the poem's message of global unity. The solutions break down the poem's stanzas to highlight the shared physical and biological characteristics of all humans, emphasizing that differences in uniforms or nationalities are superficial. They explain the poem's critique of war and hatred, promoting a perspective where all people are seen as brothers sharing the same earth and resources. The exercises cover identifying commonalities and analyzing the poet's persuasive arguments against division.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the central theme of universal brotherhood in 'No Men Are Foreign'.
  • Identify and explain the commonalities among all human beings as presented in the poem.
  • Analyze the poet's critique of war, hatred, and national divisions.
  • Interpret the symbolic meaning of 'uniforms' and shared resources.
  • Appreciate the poem's message of peace and global unity.
  • Develop critical thinking skills to question societal divisions.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Universal Brotherhood
  • Critique of War and Division
  • Human Commonalities
  • Shared Resources (Air, Water, Sun)
  • Symbolism of Uniforms
  • Poetic Analysis
  • Themes of Peace and Unity
  • Understanding Poem Stanzas
  • Literary Devices in Poetry

Important topics

  • The core message of universal brotherhood
  • Identifying human similarities across borders
  • The poet's stance against hatred and war
  • The significance of shared resources
  • Interpreting poetic language and symbolism

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Questions and Solutions

Q. 1 A

Beneath all uniforms... What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?
Solution: The poet uses the word 'uniforms' to refer to the distinct clothing worn by people that signify their nationality, profession, or allegiance. This includes military uniforms that represent armies engaged in conflict, as well as the diverse attire worn by people across different cultures and countries, highlighting superficial differences.

Q. 1 B

How does the poet suggest that all people on the earth are the same?
Solution: The poet suggests that all people on earth are the same by emphasizing our shared humanity and commonalities. The poem points out that everyone has a similar body, breathes the same air, walks, and eventually dies on the same earth. It also highlights that we all rely on the same resources like the sun, air, and water for survival, and experience similar emotions and needs, thus negating any real basis for division.

Q. 2

In Stanza I, find five ways in which we all are alike. Pick out the words.
Solution: The five ways in which we are all alike, as mentioned in Stanza I, are:
  1. We have a similar body.
  2. We all breathe.
  3. We all walk.
  4. We all lie (meaning, we all experience rest or repose).
  5. We live and die on the same earth.

Q. 3

How many common features can you find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.
Solution: In stanza 2, the poet highlights several common features that unite all people:
  1. The sun: Everyone is warmed and illuminated by the same sun.
  2. The air: All beings breathe the same air.
  3. The water: We all depend on water for life.
  4. The peaceful harvest: This signifies the natural bounty and sustenance that the earth provides for everyone.
  5. The hands and the labour: It refers to the common human capacity for work and the effort involved in cultivation and sustenance.

Q. 4

"...Whenever we are told to hate our brothers..." When do you think this happens? Why? Who "tells" us? Should we do as we are told, at such times? What does the poet say?
Solution: This situation, where we are told to hate our brothers, typically occurs during times of conflict or war between nations. Leaders or authorities often instigate feelings of enmity and hatred towards people of other countries for political or economic gains, portraying them as enemies. The poet strongly advises against following such directives. He suggests that hating others is self-destructive and pollutes the earth. Instead, the poet urges us to recognize our shared humanity, reject hatred, and work towards peace and understanding, remembering that no one is truly foreign.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing superficial differences (like uniforms) with fundamental human similarities.
  • Misinterpreting the poet's call to action regarding hatred and war.
  • Failing to identify all the common features mentioned in the poem's stanzas.
  • Overlooking the poem's emphasis on shared resources as a basis for unity.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem 'No Men Are Foreign' aloud to grasp its rhythm and tone.
  • Focus on the specific examples the poet uses to illustrate human similarities.
  • Summarize the main message of each stanza in your own words.
  • Discuss with classmates the poem's relevance in today's world.
  • Practice answering questions about the poem's themes and literary devices.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the poet mean by 'Beneath all uniforms'?

Q2. According to the poem, what essential resources do all humans share?

Q3. What action does the poet urge people to reject?

Q4. The phrase 'peaceful harvest' in Stanza 2 symbolizes:

Q5. What is the core message of the poem 'No Men Are Foreign'?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main theme of the poem 'No Men Are Foreign'?

The main theme of the poem is universal brotherhood, emphasizing that all human beings are alike, regardless of their nationality or the 'uniforms' they wear, and that no one should be considered a stranger or enemy.

How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?

The poet highlights shared physical characteristics (body, breath, walk), common experiences (lie, labour), and reliance on the same natural resources (sun, air, water, earth) to show that all humans are fundamentally alike.

What does the word 'uniforms' symbolize in the poem?

In the poem, 'uniforms' symbolize the superficial differences that divide people, such as national attire, military uniforms, or even social and religious distinctions, which hide our fundamental human sameness.

Why should we not hate our brothers, as mentioned in the poem?

We should not hate our brothers because such hatred is artificial, often instigated by leaders for their own gains. It leads to violence and suffering, ultimately harming humanity and the earth itself.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 9 students?

These solutions provide clear explanations and rewritten answers to the poem's questions, helping students understand its themes, analyze its literary aspects, and prepare effectively for their English exams.

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