CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry: Chapter 9 'Refugee Blues' NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by · Updated on

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 11 PDF

CBSE Class 11 English Woven Words Poetry Chapter 9 NCERT Solutions offers a deep dive into 'Refugee Blues.' This chapter explores the poignant experiences of Jewish refugees escaping Nazi persecution, a theme reflected in the poem's title, 'Blues,' which hints at its melancholic tone. The solutions analyze the poem's structure, noting its fusion of blues and ballad styles to effectively communicate the sorrow and anxiety of displacement. A key focus is the stark contrast presented between the inherent freedom of animals and the brutal persecution faced by humans. Furthermore, the analysis sheds light on the poem's critique of the political establishment's apathy towards the refugees' suffering. These comprehensive solutions aim to enhance students' understanding of the poem's subtleties, its historical backdrop, and equip them for exams with clear explanations and insightful interpretations.

Home

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 11
SubjectEnglish Woven Words Poetry
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 9

Chapter summary

Chapter 9, 'Refugee Blues,' NCERT Solutions focus on understanding the poem's core message about the suffering and displacement of Jewish refugees during the Nazi era. The solutions explain the significance of the title, the poetic devices like blues and ballad influences, and the poignant comparisons made between the freedom of nature and the oppression faced by humans. They also analyze the poem's commentary on political indifference and the desperate search for safety and belonging.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the historical context and themes of 'Refugee Blues'.
  • Analyze the use of blues and ballad poetic techniques.
  • Interpret the symbolism of nature and animal imagery.
  • Evaluate the poem's critique of political actions and indifference.
  • Explain the significance of the title 'Refugee Blues'.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Theme of refugee crisis
  • Impact of Nazism and persecution
  • Poetic techniques: Blues and Ballad
  • Symbolism of nature and animals
  • Critique of political class
  • Tone and mood of the poem
  • Loss of home and identity
  • Historical context of Jewish displacement

Important topics

  • The plight of refugees
  • W.H. Auden's poetic style
  • Symbolism in poetry
  • Historical and political commentary in literature
  • The meaning of 'Blues' in the title

PDF preview

Read page by page below. PDF is streamed from the official NCERT website — no download button on this page.

Loading document …
Page of
Loading page …

Questions and Solutions

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

1. The title, 'Refugee Blues' encapsulates the theme of the poem. Comment.
Solution: The title 'Refugee Blues' aptly captures the poem's central theme. The word 'Refugee' directly points to the plight of German Jewish people forced to flee their homes due to the rise of Hitler and Nazism, facing laws that stripped them of their rights, and enduring the horrors of the Holocaust and concentration camps. The term 'Blues' signifies the African-American musical genre known for its sad, melancholic tone. This tone perfectly mirrors the agony, pain, and sense of loss experienced by the homeless refugees who sing of their suffering.

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

2. What is the poetic technique used by the poet to convey the plaintive theme of the poem?
Solution: The poet, W.H. Auden, masterfully employs a blend of blues and ballad techniques to convey the poem's sorrowful theme. While blues were popular in America and ballads in Ireland and Britain, Auden merged these forms to address the critical political situation of his time: the dire condition of Jewish refugees. The structure, where the first two lines of each stanza rhyme and the third line is repetitive, mimics the style of blues lyrics. The use of a refrain, a common feature in blues, serves to repeatedly emphasize the harsh reality and the narrator's and his lover's desperate situation.

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

3. What do the references to the birds and animals made in the poem suggest?
Solution: The references to birds in the woods and fish in the waters suggest a stark contrast to the human condition. These creatures are depicted as being free to live and thrive in their natural habitats without the fear of being mistreated or driven out by cruel politics or war. Even domestic animals like dogs are shown being kept safe and warm by their owners, and cats are allowed entry into buildings and cars. This freedom and safety afforded to animals highlight the profound injustice and danger faced by the Jewish refugees, who were systematically targeted for persecution and death by Hitler's regime.

4. How does the poet juxtapose the human condition with the behavior of the political class?

4. How does the poet juxtapose the human condition with the behavior of the political class?
Solution: The poet juxtaposes the human condition with the behavior of the political class by highlighting the refugees' inability to find a place to settle, despite living in a city of millions. This is directly attributed to their identity as 'Jews,' a group declared unfit to live by Hitler's Nazi ideology. This declaration and the subsequent persecution sent waves of terror across Europe, causing refugees to be treated miserably wherever they sought shelter. The poem underscores how political ideologies and the actions of the ruling class directly lead to the dehumanization and endangerment of a specific group, contrasting the basic human need for safety with the political class's ruthless policies.

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

5. How is the essence of the poem captured in the lines 'two tickets to Happiness'?
Solution: The line 'two tickets to Happiness' encapsulates the essence of the poem by presenting a poignant, yet ultimately ironic, glimmer of hope for the homeless refugees. The narrator and his lover yearn for a place to belong and escape the constant threat of death and deprivation. The tickets symbolize a potential journey towards freedom and safety. However, the poem immediately undercuts this hope by revealing the harsh reality: train coaches are full, tickets are unaffordable, or they are turned away. Given Hitler's decree that Jews had no right to live, the idea of finding 'happiness' or even escaping their dire circumstances becomes a tragically unattainable dream.

Common mistakes

  • Overlooking the historical context of Nazi persecution.
  • Misinterpreting the 'blues' element as solely a musical genre without its emotional connotation.
  • Failing to connect the imagery of nature's freedom to the human plight.
  • Not fully grasping the critique of the political class presented in the poem.

Revision tips

  • Read the poem aloud to feel its rhythm and melancholic tone.
  • Research the historical background of Jewish refugees during WWII to better understand the poem's context.
  • Identify and list examples of blues/ballad techniques used by the poet.
  • Discuss the poem's themes with classmates to gain different perspectives.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What does the title 'Refugee Blues' primarily signify?

Q2. Which poetic techniques are blended in 'Refugee Blues'?

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

Q4. The poem juxtaposes the human condition with the behavior of the political class by highlighting:

Q5. What does the line 'two tickets to Happiness' ironically suggest?

Frequently asked questions

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

The main theme is the suffering, displacement, and loss of identity faced by Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in Europe.

How does the title 'Refugee Blues' relate to the poem's content?

The title uses 'Blues' to signify the sad, melancholic tone and the deep sorrow experienced by the refugees, mirroring the themes of hardship and pain found in blues music.

What poetic devices does W.H. Auden use in 'Refugee Blues'?

Auden blends the styles of blues and ballads, using a repetitive refrain in the third line of stanzas, characteristic of blues lyrics, to emphasize the refugees' plight.

What is the significance of the comparisons between animals and humans in the poem?

The poem contrasts the freedom and safety of birds and animals with the persecution and fear experienced by human refugees, highlighting the injustice of their situation.

How can these NCERT Solutions help Class 11 students?

These solutions provide clear explanations of the poem's complex themes, literary devices, and historical context, helping students to understand the text better and prepare for their English exams.

Important links

Content reviewed by the NCERT Help team. Editorial Team and update policy

NCERT Solutions PDF PDF on NCERT Help. URL unchanged for search indexing.