W.H. Auden was a British poet who settled in America. In his youth he supported left-wing politics but later he showed his deep interest in philosophy and religion. In his poem he has described the international problem of refugees. It is an outcome of political difference or religious and racial discrimination. In these touching lines Auden has expressed the scene of alienation of refugees coming to a country not their own. He is talking specifically of the German Jews who fled their country afraid of Hitler's persecution. However, the feelings expressed here can be shared by refugees and immigrants anywhere in the world.
The poet regards refugees the most unfortunate people.
They are given merciless and inhuman treatment by the so-called civilized societies. Human life and its dignity fall beneath the animal level. Man is imprisoned in a thousand chains of religion, race, nationality and passport. The poet condemns the division of mankind due to selfishness and narrow-mindedness. He believes that we should rise above these barriers and accept the right of refugees to live. The poem is sentimental in impact. It arouses the feelings of sympathy and pity for the refugees.
The poet regards refugees the most unfortunate people.
They are given merciless and inhuman treatment by the so-called civilized societies. Human life and its dignity fall beneath the animal level. Man is imprisoned in a thousand chains of religion, race, nationality and passport. The poet condemns the division of mankind due to selfishness and narrow-mindedness. He believes that we should rise above these barriers and accept the right of refugees to live. The poem is sentimental in impact. It arouses the feelings of sympathy and pity for the refugees.