Chapter 9 

                                                        DISCRIMINATION


1. What is the main theme of the poem “Discrimination”?

Answer: The main theme of the poem is discrimination. The poet expresses the pain and suffering of a person who is treated badly because he or she is different from others. The poem strongly condemns discrimination based on differences and calls for equality and humanity.


2. How does the poet describe the feeling of being watched?

Answer: The poet describes walking through a hall with every eye fixed on him. This shows how uncomfortable and self-conscious the poet feels when people stare at him because he is different.


3. What does “surrounded by four walls” suggest?

Answer: “Surrounded by four walls” suggests that the poet feels trapped and isolated. It shows emotional confinement and the lack of freedom caused by discrimination.


4. What reactions do people show towards the poet?

Answer: People react with snickers, sneers and laughter. They mock, insult and make fun of the poet, showing their disrespect and cruelty.


5. How is discrimination shown in the poem?

Answer: Discrimination is shown through mocking, taunting, shunning and treating the poet as inferior simply because he is not like others.


6. Why is the poet taunted?

Answer: The poet is taunted because he is different. People mock him for not fitting into their idea of what is normal.


7. What does “because I’m not like you” mean?

Answer: This line means that the poet is discriminated against simply because he does not look, think or behave like others. His difference becomes the reason for his suffering.


8. How do people treat someone who is different?

Answer: People avoid, mock and isolate someone who is different. They shun the poet instead of accepting him.


9. What does the word “shun” convey in the poem?

Answer: The word “shun” conveys rejection and avoidance. It shows how society refuses to accept the poet because of his differences.


10. How does discrimination emotionally affect the poet?

Answer: Discrimination deeply hurts the poet. He feels lonely, sad and pained because people deliberately hurt him despite knowing his suffering.


11. What does “Leave me standing in the rain” symbolize?

Answer: This line symbolizes abandonment and neglect. The rain represents sadness and suffering, and being left alone shows emotional cruelty.


12. Why does the poet say “You hurt me though you see”?

Answer: The poet says this to show that people are aware of his pain but still choose to hurt him. This highlights the lack of empathy in society.


13. How does the poet express his pain?

Answer: The poet openly says that he is in pain. He expresses his suffering through emotional words that reveal his sadness and frustration.


14. Why does the poet hate discrimination?

Answer: The poet hates discrimination because it causes pain, injustice and division among people who are actually equal.


15. What message does the poet give about humanity?

Answer: The poet gives the message that all humans are equal and deserve respect. Discrimination destroys unity and humanity.


16. What does “If we are all one nation” imply?

Answer: This line implies that all people belong to the same human family. There should be no discrimination among people living together.


17. Why does the poet question discrimination?

Answer: The poet questions discrimination to make readers think about its cruelty and unfairness. He wants society to reflect on its wrong behavior.


18. What kind of tone does the poem have?

Answer: The tone of the poem is sorrowful and questioning. It reflects pain, sadness and a strong desire for equality.


19. How does the poem highlight social injustice?

Answer: The poem highlights social injustice by showing how people are treated unequally due to differences beyond their control.


20. What role do snickers and sneers play in discrimination?

Answer: Snickers and sneers show disrespect and humiliation. They are tools used by society to demean and hurt others.


21. What does the poet want from society?

Answer: The poet wants acceptance, equality and kindness from society instead of hatred and discrimination.


22. How does the poem appeal to the reader’s emotions?

Answer: The poem appeals to emotions by showing the pain of being rejected and mocked, making the reader feel sympathy.


23. What does discrimination do to unity?

Answer: Discrimination breaks unity by creating divisions among people who should live together peacefully.


24. Why is discrimination harmful?

Answer: Discrimination is harmful because it hurts individuals emotionally and destroys harmony in society.


25. How does the poem relate to real life?

Answer: The poem relates to real life because discrimination exists in society based on caste, religion, gender and nationality.


26. What lesson does the poem teach?

Answer: The poem teaches us to treat everyone equally and respect differences instead of mocking them.


27. How does the poet describe society’s behavior?

Answer: The poet describes society as insensitive and cruel, showing little concern for the pain of others.


28. Why is discrimination called painful?

Answer: Discrimination is painful because it attacks a person’s dignity and self-respect.


29. What does the poem suggest about equality?

Answer: The poem strongly suggests that everyone is equal and deserves fair treatment.


30. How does discrimination affect mental health?

Answer: Discrimination causes emotional pain, sadness and loneliness, affecting a person’s mental well-being.


31. What is the significance of questioning at the end of the poem?

Answer: The question at the end forces readers to think deeply about their actions and attitudes towards others.


32. Why does the poet feel isolated?

Answer: The poet feels isolated because people avoid him and treat him as an outsider.


33. How does the poem condemn mockery?

Answer: The poem condemns mockery by showing how it deeply hurts the person being mocked.


34. What does the poet reveal about human cruelty?

Answer: The poet reveals that humans can be cruel when they judge others based on differences.


35. How does discrimination affect self-worth?

Answer: Discrimination damages self-worth by making a person feel inferior and unwanted.


36. What does the poem say about compassion?

Answer: The poem shows a lack of compassion in society and calls for more empathy.


37. Why is the poem relevant today?

Answer: The poem is relevant today because discrimination still exists in many forms around the world.


38. What is the poet’s emotional state?

Answer: The poet feels hurt, sad and frustrated due to constant discrimination.


39. How does the poem encourage social change?

Answer: The poem encourages social change by questioning discrimination and promoting equality.


40. What is the overall message of the poem?

Answer: The overall message of the poem is that discrimination is wrong, painful and unjust, and humanity must learn to accept differences and treat everyone equally.

Answer by Mrinmoee