UNIT NO 04: COURAGE AND DETERMINATION (2ND YEAR NOTES)

Unit # 04: COURAGE AND DETERMINATION

Reading selection 4.1: DETERMINATION

Study Questions:-

Q1 What two cities John Roebling thought of connecting through the bridge?

Ans:John Roebling was a brilliant engineer, innovator and entrepreneur. He designed bridges, buildings andmachines. He was pioneer in the design of steel suspension bridges. His best known work is the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. He thought of connecting boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn by spanning the East River.

Q2. What did the bridge building engineers throughout the world think of Roebling’s plan?

Ans:The bridge building engineers throughout the world thought that it was impossible to construct such a bridge. According to them, it was not practical and could not be done. They discouraged Roebling and suggested him to forget the idea but Roebling was determined and quite confident that he would be able to build his proposed bridge which was the longest bridge of the time.

Q3. How did Roebling finally succeed in convincing that the project could be accomplished?

Ans:Roebling was determined to construct the bridge he had in mind. He was not ready to forget the idea at any cost. He thought about it all the time and he was sure in his heart that it could be done. He shared his dream with his son named Washington. He succeeded to convince his son after much discussion and through persuasion that the project could be accomplished.

Q4. What happened when the project was underway for only a few months?

Ans:When the project was underway for only a few months, a tragic accident occurred on the site which took the life of John Roebling and caused serious injury to his eldest son, Washington. He was confined to bed as the injury left him with a certain amount of brain damage, which resulted in him not being able to walk, talk or even more.

Q5. What was the response of the people after the accident on the site?

Ans:People had a very discouraging response after the accident on the site and they made very negative comment, like, “We told them so.” “Crazy men and their crazy dreams!” “It’s foolish to chase wild visions.” they were of the opinion that the project should be cancelled because Roeblings were the only ones who knew how the bridge could be built.

Q6. Unable to speak or write, what method did Washington use to communicate with his wife?

Ans:Washington was unable to speak or write due to the accident but he still had strong desire to complete the bridge .All he could do was move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it by developing a code of communication with his wife. He touched his wife’s arm with that finger indicating that his wife should call the engineers. Then he used the same method of tapping her arm to tell the engineers what to do.

Q7. How did Washington communicate with his engineers for 13 long years?

Ans:Washington was unable to speak or write due to the accident but he was never discouraged. He could move one finger and he decided to make the best use of it by developing a code of communication with his wife. He communicated with his engineers for 13 long years by tapping out his instructions with his finger on his wife’s arm and finally succeeded in completing the bridge which was his burning desire.

Q8. Why did John Roebling ignore when other engineers said that it was an impossible idea, that itcould not be done?

Ans:John Roebling ignored when other engineers thought his idea as impossible because he was a very creative and determined engineer. He was always thinking about building the bridge and was quite confident that it could be done. He was not discouraged as he was a practical man with great visions.

Q9. Why did Washington not abandon the idea of building the bridge after the accident which lefthim totally paralyzed?

Ans:Washington was very confident, determined and enthusiastic engineer. Though he was totally paralyzed, he did not give up his idea of building the bridge. As he lay in his bed in his hospital room, watching the sunlight, the sky, the top of the trees, and the gentle breeze, he thought that even nature was trying to give him the message not to give up. His mind was still as sharp as ever. He tried to pass his enthusiasm to some of his friends but they lacked confidence.

Q10. The Brooklyn Bridge is called a tribute, a monument by the author. Why?

Ans:The Brooklyn Bridge is called a tribute, a monument by the author because it is an extraordinary achievement of Roeblings. Today this spectacular Brooklyn Bridge stands in all its glory as a tribute to the triumph of one man’s indomitable spirit and his determination not to be defeated by circumstances. It is also a tribute to the engineers and their teamwork. It stands too as a tangible monument to the love and devotion of his wife who for 13 long years decoded the messages of her husband.

 Reading selection 4.3: IT COULDN’T BE DONE 

Q. What advice has been given by the poet in this poem? 

This is a beautiful poem of six quatrains which describes a very common attitude towards difficult tasks-it  cannot be done. The poet Edgar Albert Guest discusses the importance of perseverance and self -reliance in  a world filled with negativity. The poet advocates the idea that life is a blend of ups and down and we should have courage to face all challenges. He uses the phrases like “buckle right in time”, and “with a grin on your face”, to emphasize that trusting yourself brings forth success and confidence. We should not give up in any circumstance. We can achieve any purpose whatsoever if we heed not the doubters, meet each problem as it arises and keep ever with the assurance –it can be done.

MESSAGE OF THE POEM 

It couldn’t be done is a motivational poem written by Edgar Guest. The title is paradoxical as poet  advocates the idea of it can be done that other people consider impossible or difficult .The poet gives this  message to those who quit trying, who are overwhelmed by the enormity of task, who succumb in a short  span of time. The poet gives hope, energy and determination to trust yourself and stick to the achievement  of the target. He uses the phrases like Buckle right in time and with a grin on your face to advocate the  idea that trusting yourself brings forth success and confidence. 

OR 

The poem IT COULDN’T BE DONE is written by Edgar Guest. The poem’s title is paradoxical. By  saying It couldn’t be done, the poet wants to say that it can be done. The poet advocates the idea that life is  a blend of ups and down and we should have courage to face all the challenges. We should encounter all  challenges with a broad smile on the face and we should buckle in the right time. The poet says that failures are part of life therefore we should not give up in any circumstances and ignore all the negative  comments of the people. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS 

“It Couldn’t Be Done” by Edgar Guest discusses the importance of perseverance and self- reliance. The title  is paradoxical as poet advocates the idea of it can be done .The poem includes imagery, symbolism,  connotation, and sound devices to contribute to the overall topic of motivation. Guest uses literal imagery “with a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin to emphasize the positive spirit in the poem. The word “chuckle”  is an example of onomatopoeia referring to confidence. The poet uses anaphora in his repetition of the words  “There are thousands” –emphasizing that number of people will predict your failure but words like buckle  in connotes determination.