Courage! Courage! Courage! Summary Class 7 Buzzword

About the Poet

Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959) was a prolific American poet known for his optimistic and inspirational verse. He was born in England but moved to the United States with his family as a child. Guest's poetry often focused on themes of everyday life, human nature, and the power of perseverance. He was a popular poet in the first half of the 20th century, known for his simple yet poignant style that resonated with a wide audience.

Key Points of the Poem

• The poem "Courage!" by Edgar Albert Guest consists of four stanzas.
• It emphasizes the importance of courage in facing challenges and adversity in life.
• The speaker encourages the reader to persevere in the face of difficulties and to maintain courage and dignity through adversity.
• Guest uses simple language and a straightforward style to convey his message of resilience and fortitude.

Detailed Summary

Stanza 1

Courage! Courage! Courage!
When the burden grows heavy, and rough is the way,
When you falter and slip, and it isn't your day,
And your best doesn't measure to what is required,
When you know in your heart that you're fast growing tired,
With the odds all against you, there's one thing to do:
That is, call on your courage and see the thing through.

In this stanza, the poet is emphasizing the importance of courage in times of hardship. The repeated call for courage at the beginning signifies the necessity and urgency of this trait. The poet describes moments when life becomes challenging, when one feels weak and incapable of meeting the demands placed upon them. Despite feeling inadequate and exhausted, the poet suggests that calling upon one's courage is the solution to overcoming obstacles. It's a call to persevere even when the odds seem stacked against you, highlighting the resilience and determination needed to face difficulties head-on.

Stanza 2

Who battles for victory ventures defeat.
Misfortune is something we all have to meet;
Take the loss with the grace you would take in the gain.
When things go against you, don't whine or complain;
Just call on your courage and grin if you can.
Though you fail to succeed, do not fail as a man.

In this stanza, the poet delves deeper into the theme of resilience in the face of adversity. The poet acknowledges that in the pursuit of victory, one must be prepared to encounter defeat. Misfortune is portrayed as a universal experience that everyone must confront at some point. The poet advises accepting losses with the same dignity and composure as one would celebrate gains. Rather than lamenting or grumbling when faced with challenges, the poet encourages maintaining a positive attitude and facing setbacks with courage and a smile. The focus is on maintaining one's integrity and dignity even in moments of failure.

Stanza 3

There are dark days and stormy, which come to us all,
When about us in ruin our hopes seem to fall.
But stand to whatever you happen to meet—
We must all drink the bitter as well as the sweet.
And the test of your courage is: What do you do
In the hour when reverses are coming to you.

This stanza reflects on the inevitability of difficult times in life. The poet acknowledges the existence of dark and stormy periods that affect everyone, causing hopes to crumble. Despite facing adversity and challenges that may seem insurmountable, the poet urges perseverance and resilience. The poet emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the face of adversity and facing whatever comes one's way with courage and fortitude. It's a reminder that life consists of both hardships and joys, and one's response to adversity is a test of their true courage and character.

Stanza 4

Never changed is the battle by curse or regret,
Though you whimper and whine, still the end must be met
And who fights a good fight, though he struggles in vain,
Shall have many a victory to pay for his pain.
So take your reverses as part of the plan
Which God has devised for creating a man.

In the final stanza, the poet underlines the idea that the nature of the struggle remains constant, regardless of complaints or regrets. The path may be arduous, and one may experience moments of weakness and despair, but ultimately, one must face the challenges until the end is reached. The poet suggests that even if one's efforts seem futile or unrewarded, persisting in a noble fight will eventually lead to numerous victories that outweigh the pain endured. Embracing reversals and setbacks as integral parts of a divine plan for personal growth and maturity, the poet stresses the transformative power of enduring hardships with courage and resilience. 

Theme/ Message

Themes:

• Courage and Perseverance: The poem explores the theme of courage in the face of adversity, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and resilience.
• Resilience in Hard Times: It highlights the idea of standing strong in difficult circumstances and facing challenges with grace and determination.
• Acceptance of Fate: The poem suggests accepting both successes and failures as part of life's journey and facing them with equanimity.

Message:

• Stay Courageous: The poem urges readers to summon their courage in tough times and press on despite challenges.
• Embrace Adversity: It encourages individuals to face setbacks with dignity and strength, viewing them as opportunities for growth.
• Maintain Integrity: Even in the face of failure, the poem advises individuals to uphold their values and character, demonstrating true strength.

Difficult Words

1. Burden: A heavy load or responsibility.
2. Falter: To hesitate or stumble.
3. Required: Necessary or obligatory.
4. Equanimity: Mental calmness and composure, especially in difficult situations.
5. Bitter: Unpleasant or painful.
6. Reverses: Setbacks or changes for the worse.
7. Whimper: To make low, feeble sounds expressive of fear or pain.
8. Struggles: Makes forceful or violent efforts to get free of restraint or constriction.
9. Persevere: Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success.
10. Resilience: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
11. Equanimity: Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation.
12. Adversity: Difficulties, misfortune, or hardship.
13. Fortitude: Courage in pain or adversity.