Refugees

Refugees

By Brian Bilston

They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut-throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way

Summary of Refugees

• Popularity of “Refugees”: Brian Bilston’s poem, “Refugees,” gained significant attention upon its initial appearance on social media in 2019. It powerfully confronts the complex issues surrounding migration and the treatment of displaced people. The poem is notable for its unsettling and deliberately provocative stance.
• “Refugees” As a Representative of Migration and Refugees: The poem begins by dismissing the need for assistance to refugees, suggesting they should be left to their own fate. It then proceeds to paint a deeply negative and dehumanizing portrait, labeling them as untrustworthy and dangerous. The core argument presented is that refugees have no right to share resources or land, and should be excluded. This is encapsulated in the chilling suggestion to “build a wall.” However, the poem concludes with a seemingly contradictory statement – “It is not okay to say / These are people just like us” – which, when paired with the preceding lines, reveals a potent irony.
• Major Themes in “Refugees”: The poem revolves around key themes of migration, the concept of “otherness,” and the exclusionary rhetoric often used to justify hostility toward refugees. It explores ideas of sharing versus ownership, and the fear-based justifications for building barriers—both physical and metaphorical. The underlying theme is a biting critique of prejudiced attitudes and the dehumanization of vulnerable populations.

Analysis of Literary Devices Used In Refugees

Brian Bilston skillfully employs a range of literary devices to create a disturbing yet thought-provoking poem. These techniques enhance the poem’s impact and contribute to its complex message.

1. Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds creates a subtle musicality, but also subtly connects certain words. For example, in the line “These haggard faces could belong to you or me,” the repeated ‘e’ sound links “faces” and “belong,” drawing a (false) equivalence.
2. Alliteration: The use of repeated consonant sounds at the beginning of words can create emphasis. Consider the phrase “Cut-throats and thieves” – the repetition of the ‘th’ sound subtly reinforces the aggressive and dangerous image.
3. Anaphora: The repetition of “Share our…” at the beginning of several lines creates a rhythm, but also highlights what is being denied to refugees. This repetition emphasizes the poem’s central argument of exclusion.
4. Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within words adds texture to the poem. For instance, the repeated “t” sound in “Cut-throats and thieves” contributes to the harshness of the imagery.
5. Enjambment: The continuation of a thought from one line to the next without punctuation creates a sense of momentum. Observe the lines:
   

   These are people just like us
   A place should only belong to those who are born there

   The enjambment here forces a connection between the two ideas, yet also reveals the problematic logic behind them.

6. Imagery: Bilston uses vivid, often negative, imagery to evoke strong emotional responses. Phrases like “haggard faces,” “bombs up their sleeves,” and “build a wall” paint a disturbing picture, contributing to the poem’s overall impact.
7. Symbolism: The “wall” is a potent symbol representing exclusion, fear, and the desire to create boundaries between “us” and “them.” The repeated accusations against refugees – “chancers and scroungers” – symbolize the broader tendency to demonize and dehumanize displaced people.
8. Simile: While not overt, the line “These are people just like us” functions as a disturbing simile. It appears to suggest empathy, but within the context of the poem, it ironi­cally highlights the speaker’s refusal to acknowledge shared humanity.

Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in Refugees

Beyond literary devices, the poem’s poetic techniques contribute significantly to its effectiveness.

1. Diction and Tone: The poem is characterized by remarkably simple diction. This deliberate simplicity, however, does not equate to innocence. The tone is biting, sarcastic, and deliberately provocative, meant to shock and challenge the reader.
2. Free Verse: The poem does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or meter, giving it a conversational, almost speech-like quality. This lack of formal structure reinforces the immediacy and rawness of the speaker’s voice.
3. Stanza: The poem is composed of a single, unbroken stanza. This contributes to the sense of relentless negativity and the overwhelming nature of the speaker’s prejudice.
4. Repetition: The repeated phrase “Share our…” is a key rhetorical device. It initially appears to be a statement of generosity, but within the context of the poem, it highlights what is being denied to refugees, emphasizing the theme of exclusion.

Quotes to be Used

The following lines from “Refugees” are particularly impactful and suitable for discussion about perspectives on displacement and prejudice:

These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at another way.

These lines encapsulate the poem’s central irony: the speaker acknowledges shared humanity while simultaneously advocating for exclusion. They also reveal the underlying fear and narrow-mindedness that fuel prejudice.