See It Through poem by Edgar Albert Guest

Kakatiya University Warangal

III Year Sem 6-unit 6 Poetry 

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See It Through

By Edgar A. Guest 

Video lesson

When you’re up against a trouble,

    Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
    Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
    Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
    See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you
    And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
    Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
    Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
    See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,
    When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
    Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
    Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
    See it through!

Glossary

squarely- directly and without trying to escape or avoid.

brace- a support that strengthens something else.

dodge- to avoid.

beset- to annoy continually.

Question:- 1. What is the central message of Guest's poem 'See it Through "? 

About the Poet

    Edgar Guest was a British-born American journalist who began his career in 1895 at the age of fourteen with the Detroit Free Press. Guest was born in Birmingham, England in 1881. In 1891, his family moved from England to Detroit, Michigan, where Guest lived until he died. He was referred to as the ‘Poet Laureate of Michigan’ and ‘The Poet of the People'. His weekly column, "Chaff," first appeared in 1904." His first book was A Heap o’ Livin’ (1916).

About the Poem

Motivation, positive attitude and determination are the major themes in the poem. The poet stresses the need for being courageous and facing any problem with utmost boldness until it is totally overcome. The poet motivates us to face the difficulties of life with a positive attitude. In the first stanza, he urges the readers not to escape from facing the troubles of life but to get ready to face them and take steps to overcome them. When we are unable to avoid a difficult situation, we should do the best that we can. The second stanza presents that although life may be in the black clouds, a symbol of troubles in life or the future being grim, never get discouraged and keep on fighting to be in good condition. He reiterates his idea that winning or losing is irrelevant; facing it is important. Sometimes, despite all your efforts, the worst thing happens. In these difficult circumstances, the poet suggests the readers not to run or escape from them but to face them.

    In the third stanza, he further says that the troubles which annoy continually are not the new and the same problems that are already other men been faced. One has to prepare oneself for possible failures in life. "Don't give up, whatever you do". The poet advises us in the final lines not to lose confidence in the terrible situation and to move on with a positive attitude. The poem concludes with the phrase 'see it through'.

Annotations

1.Dont give up, whatever you do

Eyes front,head high to the finish. 

These lines are taken from the poem ' See it Through' written by  Edgar Albert Guest. 

About the poet:-   Edgar Guest was a British-born American journalist who began his career in 1895 at the age of fourteen with the Detroit Free Press. Guest was born in Birmingham, England in 1881. In 1891, his family moved from England to Detroit, Michigan, where Guest lived until he died. He was referred to as the ‘Poet Laureate of Michigan’ and ‘The Poet of the People'. His weekly column, "Chaff," first appeared in 1904." His first book was A Heap o’ Livin’ (1916). One of his famous poems wa 'It Couldn't Be Done'. It is a poem with an uplifting message about never giving ujp.

Context:- The poem gives us motivation to face difficulties in life with courage. Motivation, positive attitude and determination are the major themes in the poem. The poet stresses the need for being courageous and facing any problem with utmost boldness until it is totally overcome.

  Explanation:-  He says that the troubles which annoy continually are not the new and the same problems that are already other men been faced. One has to prepare oneself for possible failures in life. "Don't give up, whatever you do". 

Meaning:-The poet advises us in the final lines not to lose confidence in the terrible situation and to move on with a positive attitude. The poem concludes with the phrase 'see it through'.