Try Again

CHAPTER 16: TRY AGAIN

Overview

This chapter presents the narrative poem "Try Again" by Eliza Cook, which tells the story of King Bruce of Scotland who learns the value of perseverance and determination by observing a spider's relentless efforts to climb back to its web. The poem teaches that failure is not the end but a stepping stone to success, and that continuous effort without giving up leads to victory.

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THE POEM: "TRY AGAIN" BY ELIZA COOK

Summary

King Bruce of Scotland sits alone in deep despair after repeatedly failing to accomplish a great deed for his people. On the verge of giving up, he observes a spider attempting to climb up to its cobweb home. The spider falls multiple times but continues trying. After nine brave attempts, the spider finally reaches its destination. Inspired by this determination, King Bruce decides to try again and this time succeeds.

**Main Message:** Never give up on your goals; persistence and determination always lead to success.

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CHARACTER ANALYSIS

King Bruce of Scotland

**Initial State:**

**Depressed and hopeless:** The poem opens with Bruce "flung himself down / In a lonely mood to think"

**Ready to surrender:** He declares "I'll give it all up" when overwhelmed by repeated failures

**Powerful yet broken:** Despite being a monarch with a crown, his heart is sinking due to failures

**Transformation:**

**Inspired by observation:** Watching the spider changes his perspective entirely

**Motivated to persist:** He cries "Bravo, bravo!" and acknowledges "he conquered, and why shouldn't I?"

**Determined to succeed:** He tries again "as he tried before, / And that time did not fail"

**Key Learning:** Bruce represents any person facing difficulties and teaches us that inspiration can come from unexpected sources.

The Spider

**Characteristics:**

**Persistent:** Makes nine attempts without complaint or hesitation

**Determined:** Does not give up despite repeated falls

**Courageous:** Climbs "Steadily, steadily, inch by inch"

**Focused:** Moves towards its goal despite difficulties

**Significance:** The spider serves as a **metaphor** for human determination and becomes Bruce's inspiration source.

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LITERARY DEVICES AND POETIC TECHNIQUES

Metaphor

**Definition:** A figure of speech that makes an implied comparison between two unlike things without using "like," "as," or "as...as."

**Example from the poem:** The spider's climbing journey is a metaphor for King Bruce's struggle to achieve his goal. Just as the spider climbs higher despite falls, Bruce must persist despite failures.

**Transforming Similes to Metaphors:**

Simile: "His courage was like a beacon guiding us through the storm"

Metaphor: "His courage was a beacon guiding us through the storm"

**Transforming Metaphors to Similes:**

Metaphor: "The book was a treasure chest, filled with endless adventures"

Simile: "The book was like a treasure chest filled with endless adventures"

Simile

**Definition:** A figure of speech that compares two unlike things using "like," "as," or "as...as."

**Example:** "As grieved as man could be" (comparing the king's grief to an extreme degree)

Alliteration

**Definition:** The repetition of the same consonant sounds at the beginning of closely connected words.

**Examples from the poem:**

"silken, silmy" (s sound)

"foot," "filmy" (f sound)

"steady," "swung," "swung" (s sound)

"delicate," "door" (d sound)

**Purpose:** Creates rhythm and makes the poem memorable and pleasing to read aloud.

Rhythm and Rhyme Scheme

**Rhyme Scheme:** The pattern of rhymes at the end of lines.

**Example from the poem:**

Lines 1-4: think/sink, deed/glad (AABB pattern)

The entire poem follows an **AABB rhyme scheme**, where consecutive lines rhyme with each other

**Rhythm:** The regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables that creates a musical quality. The poet uses rhythm to match the spider's climbing motion—steady and persistent.

Repetition for Emphasis

**"Tried and tried":** Shows multiple failures and persistence

**"Steadily, steadily":** Emphasizes the spider's consistent effort

**"Up, up":** Stresses the upward climbing motion

**Purpose:** These repetitions reinforce the poem's central message about persistence and determination.

Poetic Contractions

**'Twas** (It was) and **'Tis** (It is) are used for **meter and rhythm** to maintain the poem's musical flow and rhyme scheme.

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VOCABULARY AND WORD MEANINGS

Key Words from the Poem

**Despair:** Loss of hope; complete hopelessness

"He flung himself down in low despair"

**Toil:** To work very hard and/or for a long time

"When it toils so hard to reach and cling"

**Strive:** To try very hard to achieve something

"That foolish thing / Will strive no more to climb"

**Endeavour:** An attempt to do something new or difficult; earnest effort

"Straight up with strong endeavour"

**Braced:** Prepared oneself for something difficult

"Bruce of Scotland braced his mind"

**Mounted:** Climbed up; increased in level

"Again it quickly mounted"

**Pondered:** Thought deeply about something

"After a while he pondered there"

Words Showing Distance

**Near Distance:**

Vicinity, adjacent, proximity, a stone's throw, nearness

**Far Distance:**

Yonder, afar, remoteness, light year, farther, middle of nowhere

**Examples from the poem:**

"a long way up" (far)

"inch by inch" (near/measurable)

"half-yard higher" (near, measurable distance)

"higher and higher" (gradual increase)

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GRAMMAR CONCEPTS

Interjections

**Definition:** Words or phrases that express sudden emotion and stand alone, often followed by an exclamation mark or comma.

**Examples from the poem:**

**"Bravo, bravo!"** - expresses approval and excitement

**"Ah me!"** - expresses concern or worry

**Function:** Interjections create emotional impact and make the narrative more dramatic.

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THEMES AND CENTRAL IDEAS

Primary Theme: The Power of Perseverance

**Definition:** Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

**How it's developed:**

The spider tries nine times before succeeding

King Bruce initially wants to give up but decides to try again

The final success comes only through repeated attempts

Secondary Themes

**Failure as a Stepping Stone:**

Every fall the spider experiences brings it closer to success

Failures are not defeats but opportunities to learn and improve

"He conquered, and why shouldn't I?" shows Bruce accepting that failure leads to eventual success

**Unexpected Sources of Inspiration:**

A small spider teaches a king about perseverance

Anyone or anything can inspire us if we observe carefully

Greatness can be learned from the smallest creatures

**The Importance of Attitude:**

Bruce's transformation from hopelessness to determination shows how perspective changes outcomes

Observing the spider shifts Bruce's mindset from "I'll give it all up" to "I'll try once more"

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NARRATIVE STYLE AND STRUCTURE

Narrative Poetry

**Definition:** Poetry that tells a story with characters, plot, setting, and conflict, following a sequence of events.

**Why the poet uses narrative style:**

Creates engagement and emotional connection with readers

Allows detailed description of events and character development

Makes the moral lesson clear through a concrete story rather than abstract teaching

Stanza Structure and Purpose

**First Stanza (Setting the Mood):**

Introduces King Bruce in despair

Establishes the problem: repeated failures

Creates a sad, hopeless atmosphere

Sets up the need for inspiration

**Middle Stanzas (The Spider's Efforts):**

Describe each attempt in detail

Show the spider's persistence

Build tension and hope

**Final Stanzas (Inspiration and Resolution):**

Show Bruce's emotional shift

Demonstrate how observation leads to action

Conclude with success through renewed effort

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COMPREHENSION AND CRITICAL THINKING

Understanding the Spider's Significance

**Why the poet describes every action in detail:**

Emphasizes the importance of small, persistent efforts

Shows that success requires attention to detail

Demonstrates that every attempt matters

Creates a connection between reader and the spider's journey

How the Spider Overcomes Despair

Does not complain despite repeated falls ("not a second to stay, / To utter the least complaint")

Continues moving forward immediately after failure ("again it quickly mounted")

Remains focused on the goal despite difficulties

Shows that action overcomes despair better than giving up

Relating to the Extract

Readers can relate because:

Everyone faces failure and discouragement

The struggle between giving up and persevering is universal

The spider's small size makes its effort more impressive and relatable

The poem shows that circumstances don't determine outcomes; effort does

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WRITING SKILLS

Writing a Letter Expressing Perseverance

**Format:**

```

Address

Date

Dear [Name],

Opening paragraph: State the purpose of writing

Body paragraphs (using transition words):

To begin with... (introduce the problem)

Next... (describe initial attempts)

After that... (explain the turning point)

Then... (describe action taken)

Finally... (conclude with results)

Closing: Reflection on learning and advice

Yours affectionately,

[Name]

```

**Transition Words for Sequential Steps:**

To begin with, Next, After that, Then, Finally

First, Second, Meanwhile, Later, Ultimately

Initially, Subsequently, Furthermore, In conclusion

**Tone:** Encouraging, supportive, and reflective

Guidelines for Narration

When narrating personal experiences:

Use past tense consistently

Include sensory details and emotions

Follow chronological order

Connect your experience to the poem's theme

End with a clear lesson learned

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EXAM-IMPORTANT POINTS

**Rhyme Scheme:** The poem follows AABB pattern consistently throughout

**Central Message:** Perseverance and never giving up lead to success

**Main Literary Device:** Metaphor (spider's climb = human struggle)

**Character Change:** King Bruce transforms from hopeless to determined

**Key Vocabulary:** Toil, strive, endeavour, braced, mounted, despair

**Interjections:** "Bravo, bravo!" and "Ah me!" express emotion

**Distance Words:** Classified as near or far depending on context

**Theme Development:** Through narrative poetry and detailed description

**Critical Questions:** Focus on character motivation, theme, literary devices, and personal reflection

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ADDITIONAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Tongue Twisters

**Example from poem:** "'Twas a delicate thread it had to tread"

Create similar phrases emphasizing sound repetition for pronunciation practice and phonetic awareness.

Project: Spider Web Craft

Using sticks and wool, students can recreate a spider web and decorate it with words/phrases about perseverance from the poem, combining creativity with literary understanding.

Comparative Learning

Observing actual spiders and ants while noting differences reinforces scientific understanding alongside literary study, connecting multiple subjects.

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SUMMARY OF KEY CONCEPTS

**Perseverance** is the central theme demonstrated through the spider's nine attempts

**Metaphor** connects the spider's journey to human struggles, teaching without preaching

**Narrative poetry** engages readers emotionally while conveying moral lessons

**Character transformation** shows how perspective and inspiration change outcomes

**Literary devices** (rhyme, rhythm, alliteration, repetition) enhance the poem's message

**Vocabulary** around effort and distance reinforces the theme of persistent climbing

**Writing skills** involve using the poem's lessons to express personal experiences

This comprehensive chapter equips Class 7 students with complete understanding of narrative poetry, literary devices, character analysis, and the universal lesson that consistent effort leads to success.