Refugee Blues by Wystan Hugh Auden

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 Refugee Blues by W. H. Auden

Summary

The poem Refugee Blues by W.H. Auden talks about the pain and struggles of refugees who are forced to leave their home country. The speaker, along with a loved one, shares their feelings of rejection and hopelessness as they try to find a place to live. Despite living in a world with so many people and opportunities, they are treated as outsiders and denied help.

 The poem shows how refugees face cruelty and discrimination. Politicians and officials turn them away, and society views them as a threat. The poet contrasts their suffering with the freedom of animals and nature, like birds singing happily and fish swimming freely. These comparisons highlight how unfair life is for humans who are controlled by political decisions.

 The repeated lines, such as “my dear,” make the poem sound like a sad song, showing their endless search for safety and acceptance. In the end, the poem reflects the refugees’ fear of being hunted and their deep sadness over losing their homeland and dignity.

Understanding The Poem

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

Answer: The title “Refugee Blues” highlights the sadness and struggles of refugees. “Blues” refers to a type of music that expresses sorrow, showing their pain and hopelessness.

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

Answer: The poet uses repetition (e.g., "my dear"), simple language, and emotional imagery to emphasize the hardships of refugees. This gives the poem a musical, sad tone.

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

Answer: The birds and animals in the poem represent freedom and simplicity, contrasting with human life, which is full of rules and restrictions.

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

Answer: The poet shows how refugees suffer due to the selfishness of politicians. While birds and animals live freely, humans suffer because of borders, passports, and decisions made by leaders.

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

Answer: This line symbolizes the refugees’ longing for safety and happiness, but their dream seems impossible because every place they try is full or closed.

Try This Out

  1. Poetic Devices:
    • Refrain: The repeated lines, such as “my dear,” make the poem sound like a sad song, reinforcing their pain.
    • Pathos: The poem evokes deep sympathy for the refugees through their struggles and emotional expressions.
    • Irony: While animals are free, humans with advanced societies are restricted and oppressed.
    • Sarcasm: The line about being "officially dead" mocks the absurdity of valuing passports over human life.
  2. Colour “Blue”: In the poem, “blue” represents sadness and despair.
    Other Colours and Moods:
    • Red: Anger or love
    • White: Peace or purity
    • Black: Fear or mourning
    • Green: Hope or nature

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