TERM III - Unit 2 - Poem - Courage

 

 

TERM III - Unit 2 - Poem -  Courage

 

Courage isn’t a brilliant dash,

A daring deed in a moment’s flash;

It isn’t an instantaneous thing

Born of despair with a sudden spring

It isn’t a creature of flickered hope

Or the final tug at a slipping rope;

But it’s something deep in the soul of man

That is working always to serve some plan.

Courage isn’t the last resort

In the work of life or the game of sport;

It isn’t a thing that a man can call

At some future time when he’s apt to fall;

If he hasn’t it now, he will have it not

When the strain is great and the pace is hot.

For who would strive for a distant goal

Must always have courage within his soul.

Courage isn’t a dazzling light

That flashes and passes away from sight;

It’s a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait

With the patience to work and the strength to wait.

It’s part of a man when his skies are blue,

It’s part of him when he has work to do.

The brave man never is freed of it.

He has it when there is no need of it.

Courage was never designed for show;

It isn’t a thing that can come and go;

It’s written in victory and defeat

And every trial a man may meet.

It’s part of his hours, his days and his years,

Back of his smiles and behind his tears.

Courage is more than a daring deed:

It’s the breath of life and a strong man’s creed.

Edgar Albert Guest

A. Answer the following questions:

1. Can courage be developed suddenly? Why?

          No, courage cannot be developed suddenly. It is not an instantaneous thing that appears in a moment of despair. Instead, it is something deeply rooted in a person's soul, built over time.

2. When should we have courage?

         We should have courage at all times—when things are going well and when we face challenges. It should be a constant trait in life, not just a last-minute resort in difficult situations.

3. Give an example of dazzling light.

         A lightning bolt in a storm or the flash of fireworks in the night sky are examples of dazzling lights that         

        appear and disappear quickly.

4. Can a courageous man be defeated? Why?

       A courageous man may face defeat, but he never truly loses because courage helps him endure struggles,  learn from failures, and continue striving for his goals.

5. What is the ‘breath of life’?

        According to the poem, courage is the "breath of life," meaning it is essential for survival and success, just like breathing is necessary for living.

6. What are the characteristics of a courageous man?

        A courageous man has patience, perseverance, and unwavering strength. He does not rely on courage only  in desperate situations but carries it with him throughout life, whether in victory or defeat.

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B. Read the following lines and answer the questions:

1. "It isn’t an instantaneous thing / Born of despair with a sudden spring"       a. What does ‘it’ refer to?  -   ‘It’ refers to courage.                                                  b. What does ‘born of despair’ mean?

             ‘Born of despair’ means arising out of hopelessness or desperation. 

2. "It’s a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait / With the patience to work and the strength to wait."

a. What is an ‘ingrained trait’?

                 An ingrained trait is a deeply rooted quality that becomes a part of one's nature over time.

              b. Why does a courageous man need patience?

                  Success and achievements take time so a courageous man needs patience

3. "It’s part of his hours, his days and his years, / Back of his smiles and behind his tears."

a. What does ‘tears’ mean?

                 ‘Tears’ symbolize sorrow, struggles, and hardships in life. .

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C. Work in pairs and answer the following:

1. Alliterated Words for Each Stanza:

Stanza 1: dash- daring-deed    

                       sudden - spring,     

    Stanza 2: flickered -final

                       Serve - some - slipping - soul

Stanza 3:      thing - that

                        can - call

                       some - sport

Stanza 4:  -

Stanza :5    passes - patience

Stanza :6    blue -brave

Stanza :7.  Courage - come 

                     man - may - meet

Stanza : 8.    hours -  his

                        strong - smiles

2. Rhym/ing Words for Each Stanza:

• Stanza 1: dash - flash, 
•                  thing - spring
• 
  
• Stanza 2 :   hope - rope,
•                       man - plan
• 
  
• Stanza 3:    resort - sport,
•                       call - fall,
• 
  
• Stanza 4 :    not - hot, 
•                      goal - soul
• 
  
• Stanza 5 :  light - sight, 
•                     trait - wait, 
• 
  
• Stanza 6 :    blue - do,
•                        it - it
• 
  
• Stanza 7:      show - go,
•                      defeat - meet,
•   
• Stanza 8 :   years - tears,
•                      deed - creed

3. Rhyme Scheme for Each Stanza:

• Stanza 1: AABB
• Stanza 2: AABB
• Stanza 3 :AABB
• Stanza 4 :AABB
• Stanza 5 :AABB
• Stanza 6: AABB
• Stanza 7: AABB
• Stanza 8: AABB

Anne's Bio Poem

Anne,
Friendly, kind, smart, and obedient,
Daughter of Sam and Diana, sister of Jack,
Lover of pets, sports, and reading,
Who feels cheerful, comfortable, and excited,
Who needs education, peace, and friends,
Who gives smiles, support, and courage,
Who fears spiders, the dark, and stray dogs,
Who would like to see Mt. Everest,
Lives in Cape,
Sara.