CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 12: No Men Are Foreign NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 9 PDF

This resource provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 9 English Beehive, Chapter 12, the poem 'No Men Are Foreign'. It delves into the poem's central theme of universal brotherhood and the poet's message against discrimination and war. The solutions explain how the poet highlights the commonalities among all human beings, irrespective of their nationality, religion, or appearance, emphasizing shared experiences like breathing, waking, sleeping, loving, and the universal need for peace and sustenance. These solutions are designed to help students grasp the poem's deeper meanings, understand its literary devices, and prepare effectively for their English exams by offering clear explanations and insights into the poet's perspective.

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Quick info

Board	CBSE
Class	Class 9
Subject	English Beehive
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 12

Chapter summary

NCERT Solutions for CBSE Class 9 English Beehive Chapter 12, 'No Men Are Foreign', focuses on the poem's exploration of universal human unity. It breaks down the poet's arguments for brotherhood by identifying shared human experiences and needs, such as breathing, sleeping, and the necessity of peace and sustenance. The solutions clarify the poet's stance against hatred and war, emphasizing that conflict harms humanity as a whole. This chapter's solutions are crucial for understanding the poem's message of equality and empathy.

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 message against war and discrimination.
Interpret the symbolic meaning of 'uniforms' in the context of the poem.
Recognize the importance of empathy and understanding in human relationships.

Topics covered

Paper topics

Universal Brotherhood
Human Commonalities
Critique of War
Rejection of Discrimination
Symbolism of Uniforms
Shared Human Needs
Poetic Interpretation
Empathy and Understanding

Important topics

The core message of universal brotherhood
Examples of shared human experiences
The poet's view on war and hatred
Symbolic meanings within the poem

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

(i) "Beneath all uniforms..." What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?

Solution: The poet is likely referring to the various types of clothing that distinguish people, such as the uniforms worn by soldiers during wartime. However, the term 'uniforms' is used more broadly to encompass any attire that creates a sense of 'otherness' or division, including national dresses or the specific clothing associated with different professions or social groups. The poet uses this to emphasize that these external appearances are superficial and hide the fundamental sameness of all human beings.

Question 2

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

Solution: The poet suggests that all people on earth are fundamentally the same by highlighting shared human experiences and biological needs. The poem states that everyone breathes the same air, will eventually be buried in the same earth, wakes and sleeps, and experiences emotions like love and hate. Furthermore, everyone relies on the same natural elements like the sun, air, and water for survival, and all desire peace and suffer from the consequences of war, such as starvation. These commonalities underscore the idea that national or cultural differences are superficial.

Question 3

In stanza 1, find five ways in which we all are alike. Pick out the words.

Solution: In the first stanza, the poet highlights five ways in which all human beings are alike. The words that indicate these commonalities are:

Breathe: "a different air" (implying everyone breathes air)
Walk: "walk upon our feet"
Lie: "lie in the same earth" (referring to resting or sleeping)
Live: "live"
Die: "die"

These phrases emphasize our shared existence and mortality.

Question 4

How many common features can you find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.

Solution: In the second stanza, the poet identifies several common features that unite all people. These include:

The Sun: "the sun of ours" (referring to the universal presence and warmth of the sun)
The Air: "the air of ours" (referring to the shared atmosphere)
The Water: "the water of ours" (referring to the essential resource of water)
Peaceful Harvest: "peaceful harvest" (representing sustenance and prosperity achieved in times of peace)
Hands: "hands" (used for labour and creation)
Labour: "labour" (the universal effort involved in work)

These elements highlight our shared dependence on nature and our common capacity for work and achievement.

Question 5

"...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 people are told to hate their 'brothers' (fellow human beings), typically occurs during times of conflict, particularly war. Leaders or authorities often instigate such hatred to rally support for their cause, to demonize an 'enemy,' or to achieve political or economic gains. These 'tells' come from those in power – politicians, military leaders, or propagandists – who benefit from division. The poet strongly advises against blindly following such instructions. He suggests that hating and fighting against others is a self-destructive act, as it means harming our fellow humans, who are essentially part of ourselves. The poet implies that we should recognize our shared humanity and reject such calls for hatred, understanding that such conflicts are ultimately futile and condemn us all.

Common mistakes

Misinterpreting the symbolic meaning of 'uniforms'.
Failing to identify all the common human experiences mentioned in the poem.
Overlooking the poet's strong condemnation of war and hatred.
Confusing the literal meaning with the deeper thematic message of the poem.

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 show human similarities.
Discuss the poem's message about war and brotherhood with classmates.
Summarize the poet's argument against hatred in your own words.
Pay attention to the literary devices used to convey the poem's message.

Practice MCQs

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

Q2. According to the poem, what is a universal human experience?

Q3. What does the poet suggest about the importance of the sun, air, and water?

Q4. Why does the poet say 'we are condemned' when we hate our brothers?

Q5. What is the main 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 'No Men Are Foreign' is universal brotherhood, emphasizing that all human beings are alike and should not be considered strangers or enemies.

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

The poet suggests that all people are the same by highlighting common human experiences such as breathing, waking, sleeping, loving, hating, and the universal need for peace and sustenance, all under the same sun and air.

What does the poet mean by 'uniforms' in the first stanza?

The poet uses 'uniforms' to represent superficial distinctions like military attire or national clothing, implying that beneath these external differences, all humans share a common identity.

What is the poet's message regarding war and hatred?

The poet strongly condemns war and hatred, stating that when we are told to hate our brothers, we are harming ourselves and our shared humanity, as war is futile and leads to self-destruction.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 9 students?

These solutions help students understand the poem's deeper meanings, analyze its themes of unity and peace, and prepare effectively for exams by providing clear explanations of the questions and answers.

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