Unit I: Poetry
Don't Quit
by Edgar A. Guest
Prescribed reading for English I (Unit I: Poetry). Read the guide before class; finish with the quiz to check your understanding.
Overview
The poem is an inspirational message about perseverance. It encourages the reader to not give up when faced with hardship, suggesting that success might be just around the corner, even when things look their bleakest.
About the Author
Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959) was a prolific English-born American poet who was popular in the first half of the 20th century and became known as the 'People's Poet'.
Writing style: Simple, rhyming verse with an emphasis on inspirational and moral themes.
Major works: A Heap o' Livin' · Just Folks
Influence: His work was widely syndicated in newspapers and resonated with a broad audience looking for everyday inspiration.
Historical Context
His poetry often reflected the optimistic, sentimental values of early 20th-century America.
Read
Tap the bolded words for definitions and connotations.
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.
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.
Themes
- Perseverance
- Hope
- Resilience
Literary Devices
- Metaphor
- “Success is failure turned inside out— The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.”
Critical Analysis
While sometimes criticized for its sentimentality, the poem's enduring popularity lies in its simple, direct, and universally relatable message of encouragement.
Why It Matters
The message remains relevant today as a timeless reminder to stay resilient in the face of personal and professional challenges.
Vocabulary
- Trudging
- Walking slowly and with heavy steps, typically because of exhaustion or harsh conditions.
- Connotation: Suggests a difficult, weary journey.
- Queer
- Strange; odd.
- Connotation: In this context, it means peculiar or unusual, not its modern usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check Your Understanding
What does the author suggest you do when 'care is pressing you down'?