Poem Try Again Summary

The poem "Try Again" by Eliza Cook narrates the story of King Bruce of Scotland who, despite being a monarch, feels disheartened after failing repeatedly to achieve a great deed for his people. In his moment of despair, he observes a spider attempting to climb up to its web. The spider falls multiple times but continues to try until it finally succeeds. Inspired by the spider's perseverance, King Bruce regains his courage and determination to try once more, ultimately succeeding in his efforts.

Key Elements

• Theme: The central theme is perseverance and the importance of never giving up despite failures.
• Characters: King Bruce of Scotland and the spider.
• Literary Devices: Symbolism (spider representing persistence), imagery, repetition, and rhyme.

Textual Evidence

"Bravo, bravo! the King cried out,
All honour to those who try;"

This line highlights the king's admiration for the spider's determination, encouraging readers to emulate this spirit.

Solved Example

Question: What lesson does King Bruce learn from the spider?

Answer: King Bruce learns that persistence leads to success. Despite repeated failures, the spider keeps trying until it reaches its goal. This inspires the king to try again and not give up.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• Who is the main character in the poem?
• What does the spider symbolize?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Describe the mood of King Bruce at the beginning of the poem.
• Explain how the spider's actions influence King Bruce.

Level 3 – Challenging

• Analyze the use of repetition in the poem and its effect on the theme.
• Discuss the significance of the poem's ending and its message for readers.

Answer Key

• Level 1: King Bruce; The spider symbolizes perseverance.
• Level 2: King Bruce feels sad and despairing because he has failed; The spider's repeated attempts inspire the king to try again and not give up.
• Level 3: Repetition emphasizes the spider's persistent efforts, reinforcing the theme of perseverance; The ending shows that success comes to those who keep trying, encouraging readers to be resilient.

Quick Reference

• Theme: Perseverance
• Characters: King Bruce, Spider
• Message: Never give up despite failures

Glossary

• Monarch: A king or queen who rules a country.
• Despair: A feeling of hopelessness.
• Perseverance: Continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties.
• Endeavour: An attempt to achieve a goal.

Literary Devices in Poem Try Again

The poem uses several literary devices to convey its message effectively.

Symbolism

The spider symbolizes persistence and determination. Its repeated attempts to climb the thread represent the struggle to overcome obstacles.

Imagery

Vivid descriptions such as "silken, filmy clue" and "cobweb home" create mental pictures that help readers visualize the spider's efforts.

Repetition

Lines describing the spider's repeated falls and climbs emphasize the theme of never giving up.

Rhyme Scheme

The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme that adds rhythm and musicality, making it engaging for readers.

Examples from Text

• "Up, up it ran, not a second to stay, To utter the least complaint;" – shows the spider's determination.
• "Bravo, bravo! the King cried out, All honour to those who try;" – highlights the poem's moral.

Solved Example

Question: Identify and explain one literary device used in the poem.

Answer: Symbolism is used in the poem where the spider represents perseverance. The spider's repeated attempts to climb symbolize the importance of trying again despite failures.

Practice Set

Level 1 – Easy

• What does the spider symbolize in the poem?

Level 2 – Moderate

• Give an example of imagery from the poem.

Level 3 – Challenging

• Explain how repetition enhances the poem's theme.

Answer Key

• Level 1: The spider symbolizes perseverance.
• Level 2: "Silken, filmy clue" is an example of imagery describing the spider's thread.
• Level 3: Repetition of the spider's attempts emphasizes the importance of persistence and encourages readers to keep trying.

Quick Reference

• Symbolism: Spider = Perseverance
• Imagery: Descriptive language creating mental pictures
• Repetition: Emphasizes persistence

Glossary

• Symbolism: Using symbols to represent ideas.
• Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses.
• Rhyme Scheme: Pattern of rhymes at the end of lines.