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Warsan Shire
Home Themes
Forced Migration and War: The poem shows that people never leave home willingly. They leave only when war and danger destroy safety. Home becomes the “mouth of a shark” and “the barrel of a gun.” These images mean death and fear. War turns streets into battlefields and neighbours into enemies. People run for the border because they have no choice. The poet shows that migration is not freedom but s...
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Home Summary
Background
Home poem comes from Conversations About Home (at the Deportation Centre) in Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth (2011). She wrote it after visiting a refugee shelter in London. She met many people who had lost their homes. They came from countries like Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. Their stories made her very sad. She saw how much pain they carried inside. She wanted the world to underst...
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Home Literary Devices
Figures of Speech
Metaphor: A metaphor compares two different things directly. The poet uses strong metaphors to show danger and fear. In the line “Home is the mouth of a shark,” home is compared to a shark’s mouth. It means home has become deadly and full of terror. Another metaphor is “Home is the barrel of a gun,” meaning home is violent and unsafe. These images show that war turns safety into...
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Home Quotations
1. “No one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark.”
Explanation: It means people never leave home unless it becomes deadly and full of danger.
It speaks for all refugees in the world who are forced to escape.
2. “You only leave home when home won’t let you stay.”
Explanation: This line shows that people do not choose to leave. They are pushed out by war, violence, or fear. It reminds th...
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Notes
Explore 4 detailed notes related to Home. Each note provides in-depth analysis, explanations, and critical insights.