Question

Read the following poem and write an appreciation of it with the help of the given points in a paragraph format:           [5]

The Will to Win If you want a thing bad enough to go out and fight for it, work day and night for it, give up your time and your peace and your sleep for it If all that you dream and scheme is about it and life seems useless and worthless without it If you gladly sweat for, fret for and plan for it and lose all your terror of the opposition for it. If you simply go after that thing that you want with all of your capacity, strength and sagacity, faith, hope and confidence and stern pertinacity If neither cold or poverty, famished or gaunt or sickness or pain of body and brain can keep you away from the thing that you want, If dogged and grim you besiege and beset it, with the help of GOD you’ll get it!                                                   − Berton Braley

You can use the following points while appreciating the given poem:

• The title                           [1/2]
• The poet of the poem      [1/2]
• Rhyme scheme                [1]
• Figures of speech            [1]
• Central idea/theme          [2]

Answer 1

• The title of the poem is “The Will to Win.”
• The poem is written by Berton Braley.
• The poem has an irregular rhyme scheme and mainly depends on rhythm and repetition.
• The poet uses repetition (anaphora) of the word “If” and alliteration such as “faith, hope and confidence”.
• The poem teaches that strong determination, hard work, courage, and faith in God help a person achieve success. If a person keeps trying despite difficulties, he will finally win.