Chapter refugee-blues: Refugee Blues | Short Questions

The consul reacts with anger and bureaucratic coldness, banging the table and declaring that without a passport, they are 'officially dead.' This reaction reveals that he is more concerned with following strict legal procedures than with the actual lives of the people standing before him. He represents the unfeeling face of government authority. His character shows how individuals within a system can become indifferent to human suffering when they prioritize paperwork and official status over the basic human right to life and recognition.

The irony lies in the fact that animals enjoy more comfort and freedom than the refugees. The poodle is dressed in a jacket and welcomed into a home, while the refugees are left in the cold. The fish swim freely in the water without any restrictions or travel documents. This comparison is a biting critique of society; it suggests that during times of political crisis, humans are often treated with less compassion than pets and have less freedom than wild animals. It emphasizes the extreme dehumanization experienced by the refugees.

The thunder is a metaphor for the rising power of Hitler and the impending threat of war and genocide. The speaker notes that it wasn't actual weather but 'Hitler over Europe, saying: "they must die."' This imagery suggests that the political situation in Europe was as powerful and terrifying as a natural storm. It shows that the threat to the refugees was loud, clear, and unavoidable. By comparing political commands to thunder, Auden conveys the feeling of helplessness the victims felt against such an overwhelming and destructive force.

The 'daily bread' refers to the livelihood and resources of the local citizens. The speaker at the meeting uses the common xenophobic argument that letting refugees in would lead to them 'stealing' the jobs or food of the people already living there. This reveals the hostility and selfishness of the host country. Instead of seeing the refugees as people in need of help, the public sees them as a threat to their own economic stability. This attitude further isolates the refugees and leaves them with no place of safety.

The final stanza is set on a 'great plain in the falling snow.' This setting is vast, cold, and desolate, mirroring the lonely and bleak situation of the refugees. In this cold landscape, ten thousand soldiers are marching 'to and fro.' The contrast between the tiny, vulnerable pair of refugees and the massive army in the snow creates a sense of imminent danger. The snow suggests a lack of warmth or hope, while the marching soldiers represent the organized, relentless pursuit of the state against those it has rejected.