Chapter Explanation: Try Again | Class 7 English Alive PDF Download

Introduction

Explanation

Stanza 1

King Bruce of Scotland flung himself down

In a lonely mood to think;

'Tis true he was monarch, and wore a crown,

But his heart was beginning to sink.

Explanation:  King Bruce of Scotland is depicted in a moment of deep reflection and solitude, overwhelmed by his responsibilities. Despite his royal status and the crown he wears, he is burdened with a heavy heart. This stanza sets the scene, portraying a king who, despite his power and authority, is vulnerable to feelings of discouragement and defeat.

Stanza 2

For he had been trying to do a great deed,

To make his people glad;

He had tried and tried, but couldn't succeed

And so he became quite sad.

Explanation: The cause of King Bruce's distress is revealed, He has been striving to achieve a great feat to bring joy to his people. Despite his persistent efforts, success eludes him, leading to a growing sense of sadness. The repetition of his attempts and failures highlights his dedication and the emotional toll it takes on him.

Stanza 3

He flung himself down in low despair,

As grieved as man could be;

And after a while he pondered there,

'I'll give it all up,' said he.

Explanation: In his despair, King Bruce contemplates surrender. His feelings of hopelessness are palpable as he considers abandoning his goals altogether. This moment is crucial, representing a low point in his journey where the possibility of giving up seems the only option left.

Stanza 4

Now just at that moment a spider dropped,

With its silken, filmy clue;

And the King, in the midst of his thinking, stopped

To see what the spider would do.

Explanation: A shift in the narrative occurs with the introduction of a spider, which captures King Bruce's attention. This distraction arrives at a pivotal moment, pausing his thoughts of defeat. The stanza subtly hints at the importance of small wonders in bringing about perspective shifts, as the king stops to observe the spider's actions.

Stanza 5

'Twas a long way up to the ceiling dome,

And it hung by a rope so fine;

That how it would get to its cobweb home,

King Bruce could not divine.

Explanation: The poet describes the challenging ascent that the spider faces to reach its cobweb home on the ceiling. The detailed depiction of the spider's daunting task parallels King Bruce's own struggles, emphasizing the uncertainty and difficulty of achieving one's goals. The king's inability to see how the spider will succeed mirrors his doubts about his own situation.

Stanza 6

It soon began to cling and crawl

Straight up with strong endeavour;

But down it came with a slippery sprawl,

As near to the ground as ever.

Explanation: The spider's first attempt to climb ends in failure, falling back to where it started. This stanza serves as a metaphor for the setbacks one faces when striving towards a goal. The descriptive language used to portray the spider's fall underscores the physical and metaphorical struggle inherent in the pursuit of success.

Stanza 7

Up, up it ran, not a second to stay,

To utter the least complaint;

Till it fell still lower, and there it lay,

A little dizzy and faint.

Explanation: Despite the setback, the spider persists and climbs again, only to fall once more. Each attempt, followed by failure, leaves the spider "dizzy and faint," symbolizing the draining effects of continuous effort without success. This reflects the emotional toll that repeated failures can have, not just on the spider but also resonating with King Bruce's experiences.

Stanza 8

Its head grew steady — again it went,

And travelled a half-yard higher;

'Twas a delicate thread it had to tread,

And a road where its feet would tire.

Explanation: Here, the spider demonstrates resilience, steadying itself for another attempt. The mention of the "delicate thread" and the "road where its feet would tire" illustrates the precarious and challenging nature of its journey. This persistence in the face of difficulty serves as a direct parallel to the perseverance required in human endeavors.

Stanza 9

Again it fell and swung below,

But again it quickly mounted;

Till up and down, now fast, now slow,

Nine brave attempts were counted.

Explanation: The spider's journey becomes a series of trials, with the king counting each attempt. The fluctuation between success and failure, captured through the spider's repeated climbs and falls, symbolizes the ups and downs one encounters on the path to achieving one's goals. The stanza highlights the importance of resilience and the will to continue despite setbacks.

Stanza 10

'Sure,' cried the King, 'that foolish thing

Will strive no more to climb;

When it toils so hard to reach and cling,

And tumbles every time.'

Explanation: King Bruce, observing the spider's struggles, expresses doubt about the spider's ability to succeed, mirroring his own loss of confidence. His projection of failure onto the spider reflects his state of mind, shadowed by his recent contemplations of giving up.

Stanza 11

But up the insect went once more,

Ah me! 'tis an anxious minute;

He's only a foot from his cobweb door,

Oh say, will he lose or win it?

Explanation: As the spider makes another attempt, the tension builds. This stanza captures a critical moment of suspense and anxiety, both for the king and the reader, as the spider nears its goal. The detailed depiction of the spider being "only a foot from his cobweb door" adds to the drama and urgency of the moment, emphasizing the thin line between failure and success.

Stanza 12

Steadily, steadily, inch by inch,

Higher and higher he got;

And a bold little run at the very last pinch

Explanation: In a dramatic and encouraging turn of events, the spider finally succeeds. This achievement is described in vivid detail, emphasizing the perseverance and determination required to overcome the challenges. The spider's success serves as a powerful metaphor for achieving one's goals through persistent effort, regardless of the difficulties faced.

Stanza 13

'Bravo, bravo!' The King cried out,

'All honour to those who try;

The spider up there defied despair;

He conquered, and why shouldn't I?

Explanation: King Bruce's reaction to the spider's success is enthusiastic and revelatory. His praise for the spider's defiance of despair reflects his newfound inspiration and the lesson he takes from the spider's journey. The king's exclamation marks a significant shift in his attitude, from one of despair to one of motivated resolve.

Stanza 14

And Bruce of Scotland braced his mind,

And gossips tell the tale,

That he tried once more as he tried before,

And that time did not fail.

Explanation: Motivated by the spider's example, King Bruce resolves to face his challenges with renewed vigor and determination. The historical anecdote that he eventually succeeds in his endeavors serves as the culmination of the narrative, reinforcing the message of the poem. The final stanza ties back to the beginning, showing a complete transformation in the king's mindset, influenced by the perseverance he witnessed in the spider.

Theme

The primary theme of the poem is perseverance in the face of adversity. It explores how even in moments of deep despair, observing and learning from the resilience of others can provide the motivation needed to continue striving towards one's goals.

Message

The message of the poem is clear: never give up, regardless of how insurmountable the obstacles seem. It emphasizes the importance of resilience and the belief that persistence can lead to eventual success, as exemplified by the spider's relentless efforts and King Bruce's inspired reaction.

Difficult Words with Meanings

Monarch - a sovereign head of state, especially a king or queen.

Crown - a ceremonial ornamental headpiece worn by a monarch as a symbol of authority.

Despair - the complete loss or absence of hope.

Filmy - very thin and light; almost transparent.

Clue - here, it refers to a thread or string.

Dome - a rounded vault forming the roof of a building or structure, typically with a circular base.

Divine - to discover by guesswork or intuition.

Endeavour - try hard to do or achieve something.

Sprawl - spread out over a large area in an untidy or irregular way.

Delicate - very fine in texture or structure; of intricate workmanship or quality.

Tread - walk in a specified way.

Mounted - climbed up.

Bravo - used to express approval when a performer or other person has done something well.

Gossips - casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as true.

Braced - prepare (someone) for something difficult or unpleasant.

Native cot - here, it refers to the spider's original home or web.

Dizzy - having a sensation of spinning and losing one's balance.

Anxious - experiencing worry, unease, or nervousness.

Steadily - in a regular and even manner.

Pinch - a critical situation that requires immediate action.