Back to: Punjab Board Class 8th English Guide and Notes
Table of Contents
Introduction
Life in all its glory comes with a lot of struggles and hardships but one must not bow down and accept defeat for what does not kill you, makes you stronger.
Theme
Humans have a tendency to work within their comfort zone and when a hardship strikes, they tend to flee or battle with it only for a while before giving up. However, this poem significantly inspires all its readers to never quit and never give up in the face of calamity. This is life and it is full of surprises. Think of it as a ride, sometimes high and sometimes low. The one who manages to stick until the end wins the victory cup. Although the victory seems far, it is close. One must just persevere.
Stanza 1 and 2
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out; Don’t give up though the pace seems slow You may succeed with another blow.
Life is a journey and it is not always easy. Sometimes it is pleasant while other times things tend to go wrong. Regardless of how meticulously you have planned everything, some things still go awry. There are times when the funds are limited and one finds themselves in debt they must persist. Stop for a while and take a rest but do not give up. When a person gives up, life becomes meaningless. There is nothing worthwhile to fight for and all will to live diminishes. Although the problem seems colossal, if they only fight for a little longer, victory will be theirs. The progress may seem slow but you are still progressing and that is a sign of success. One more try and you shall succeed.
Stanza 3 and 4
Often the goal is nearer than, It seems to a faint and faltering man, Often the struggler has given up, When he might have captured the victor’s cup, And he learned too late when the night slipped down, How close he was to the golden crown. Success is failure turned inside out, The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far, So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit, It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
The goal is often closer than it seems to a tired person who has been struggling for a while. The struggler gives up so close to winning that it’s a pity. Success is achieved by overcoming fears and self-doubt. What you thought would be a terrible choice often turns out to be the complete opposite and makes you a winner. You are not aware of just how close you are to winning and hence you must keep persevering and never give up. Just like after every storm emerges a rainbow after the most severe hardship will come the solution. When things get hard you must still not give up and continue to fight for you shall soon earn sweet victory and then it will all be worth the strive.
