Q.1. (a) “Beneath all uniforms…” What uniforms do you think the poet is speaking about?
(b) How does the poet suggest that all people on earth are the same?
Ans.
(a) The poet is probably speaking about the uniforms that the soldiers wear at the time of war. The word “uniform” here could also mean the traditional dresses of a country.
(b) The poet conveys that all humans are fundamentally the same by highlighting shared experiences. We all breathe, love, hate, and labour. The essentials of life, such as sun, air, and water, are vital for everyone. Additionally, all people desire peace and suffer from starvation during wars.
Q.2. In stanza 1, find five ways in which we all are alike. Pick out the words.
Ans.
Words that suggest the five ways in which we all are like are:
- Each of us has a similar body.
- All of us breathe.
- All of us walk.
- All of us lie.
- We live and die on the same earth.
Q.3. How many common features can you find in stanza 2? Pick out the words.
Ans. There are five common features in stanza 2. These features are the sun, the air, the water, peaceful harvest, hands, and the labour.
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?
Ans. During times of war, leaders often encourage us to hate those from other countries. They do this for their own benefit, manipulating our emotions for personal gain. However, we should resist being mere puppets and instead critically assess the situation before reacting. The poet warns that if we engage in conflict, we ultimately harm ourselves. He emphasises that fighting against one another leads to a loss of our shared humanity and defiles the world we all inhabit.