English XII Ch 12 It Couldn’t Be Done SQ & Notes FSc FA ICS ICom KPK FBISE
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Q 2. Now that you have understood the poem, write a paraphrase/ explanation of it in your own words.Answer: The theme of the poem is quite motivational, inspirational and simple, it represents the concept that everything seems to be impossible until and unless a person gives a simple but passionate try to do it. Self-confidence is gained just by strongly believing in yourself.
Stanza 1:
In the first stanza of the poem, the poet tells the readers that people around you always show a cold behaviour towards you whenever you try to do something difficult or unusual. Some people are born with the quality of criticizing others for doing good or unique needs. An eager man who wanted to do something difficult; seeing his enthusiasm the others gave a negative remark by saying it couldn’t be done. The man showing an optimistic attitude replied that maybe you are right and it won’t be possible but I had to give it a must-try.
Stanza 2:
The second stanza reflects the idea of how to give a smooth start to do any intricate task in your life. The man, who had a desire of doing something impossible, had to begin it just by wearing a simple, sweet smile on his face. That smile becomes a source of motivation for the man and gives a sudden hard blow to all the fears and risks which are waiting to harass the man on the path of achievement and success. Only then he would be able to assertively start his task what he was told by the people that it couldn’t be done.
Stanza 3:
The third stanza is all about the attitude and remarks of the people who are in a habit of discouraging the others. They gave remarks by saying that you are not able to do it or no one tried such a thing before you. There exist a typical group of people in this world whose favourite past-time is to discuss others and make fun of such passionate individuals who are trying to achieve something by going out of the way or by adopting unusual means. They don’t have the courage or ability to perform any complicated task or lack self-confidence. That’s why they don’t want others to achieve any such thing and receive appreciation from the people around them. But the ardent man paid no heed to such remarks, he just put off his hat and cleared his mind and just began his task.
Stanza 4:
In the fourth stanza of the poem, one can see the man’s devotion and obsession with his body language. He had a firm belief in himself, his abilities and skills that were driving him mad towards achieving his impossible goal as soon as possible. Drenched with the sweat of pride and cloak of a big smile, he kicked off all the fears and doubts from his mind and he started doing what was affirmed by others unfeasible but he did it. The man gave a light touch to his arduous feat by singing a soft song.
Stanza 5:
This stanza is solely devoted to those thousands of people around you whose priority is to distract you from your track of achieving something unbelievable. Out of thousands, some hold the view that whatever you want to achieve simply is not practical. A thousand predicted your sheer failure. Others considering their duty to make you aware of all the dangers present a complete list of all the fears and risks which are waiting for the devoted man on his way.
Stanza 6:
The final stanza of the poem is a piece of sincere advice from the poet to all his readers that never listen to such remarks with attentive ears. People always want to discourage and pass negative remarks but one should not pay heed to them and he should keep trying to achieve the task. He should be ready to face all challenges that appear in accomplishing the feat with a smile, determination, passion, and attention. While doing his work, he should sing a melodious tune to ignore the burden or hurdle that stood in his way. In the end, one would do it and get the success that others seem impossible to do.
Answer: Being an individual who always has a desire to do something extraordinary or out of this world, two years back an idea clicked my mind. As usual, the idea was a unique one that’s why it received criticism from the people around me.
It was Sunday evening, when all the family members were sitting around the fireplace, a rare incident though. Weather outside was cold, howling winds were blowing. I decided to put forward my idea in the presence of everyone. I cleared my throat to get some attention. Then I started by assembling my words appropriately. “I want to create a children ‘s library at home in the back…” Before letting me complete my sentence, my father interrupted and said, “It’s impossible! How are you going to run it, what about finances, where your studies will go, how will you manage?” It was happening the same way as I expected. Then, it was my elder brother’s turn. He stated, “It’s ridiculous! How you’ll convince the people to send their children to waste their precious time in just reading STORY books?”
My mother was silently listening to this all. Then she spoke in a cold voice, “I simply don’t want you to waste your energy, time and resources on this silly idea.” Tears began to roll down from my eyes. But then I muster up courage as I didn’t want to let my idea vanish without even giving it a try. I requested all of them and said, “Please let me do it as I am quite passionate about this project. I have seen children running away from books, busy playing computer games or watching movies. I just want to attract them towards reading books and gaining knowledge. Don’t worry about finances, I am saving my pocket money for the last few months. I’ll buy some books from an old bookshop in the beginning.
To create awareness among neighbours, I would conduct a workshop for the parents about the importance of reading books and please don’t worry about my studies, I’ll manage.” The sitting was over and everyone resigned to their rooms. For the next two days, I kept trying my level best to convince my mother. Finally, she gave her verdict in favour of me and permitted me to begin the project but if she sees me losing interest in my studies or ignoring other tasks, she would not allow me to continue it anymore.
The very next day, I called my best friend to whom I’d discussed my plan some days back. She came and then we started our project enthusiastically by first cleaning, assembling and decorating the room keeping in view the age group of our strata i.e. 7 – 10 years old children. We bought hundreds of books from the shop and then arranged the workshop. Few of our neighbours attended it and we won in convincing some of them. We set the timings for our library from 5 – 6 p.m.
The following day, I was pretty much excited to see the children in my library giving strength to my dream project. Only two children came, read and enjoyed the experience. Next day, they brought two more of their friends. Day by day, the strength started to increase, making me proud of my act. My parents also got impressed with my efforts and passion. Side by side, I was also paying attention to my studies more than before by studying late at night.
After a month, my final papers approached, I took them and finally the result came out, making me stand out as a position holder in my matriculation exams. This made me proud in the eyes of my family and it was the time when my whole family decided to support me financially as well as morally.
Now after two years, my library has a collection of more than two thousand books and the strength has increased to above hundred children, some of them are the regular members of my library and own membership cards too.
In the end, I must be thankful to Allah Almighty for giving me passion and strength to initiate and run my project efficiently and my parents for their generous support.
Q 4. Read the story “Determination” again. How is this story an apt demonstration of the poem “It couldn’t be done”?
Answer: Determination, courage, passion, people’s criticism, enthusiasm, achievement, and success are the theme of both the lesson “Determination” and poem “It couldn’t be done.”
The story “Determination” is just the perfect reflection of the poem “It couldn’t be done.” The reason behind is that in the story the main character John Roebling was enthusiastic to achieve his dream vision to such an extent that he ignored all the suggestions, criticism and negative remarks put forward by a number of engineers all over the world.
The same optimistic attitude is demanded by the poet Edgar Guest from all his readers to begin your work with full zeal and fervour without paying heed to any negative comments by the people around you who are habitual of just criticizing you and stopping you to achieve something in your life that not only satisfies your inner self but makes you stand out among the rest of the world as a great fellow. For doing something, the first step is always the most difficult one to take and according to the poet, it becomes easy by just whistling a soft lovely tune that relaxes you and provides motivation to achieve something.
Passion and courage that were shown by Washington even after being handicapped and bed-ridden were exactly the same as Edgar wants to enlighten through his poetic terminology that one should be courageous enough that even knowing the hurdles on his way to success, he should accept that as a challenge and fearlessly try to achieve it by believing in God and one’s own self.
This stanza is solely devoted to those thousands of people around you whose priority is to distract you from your track of achieving something unbelievable. Out of thousands, some hold the view that whatever you want to achieve simply is not practical. A thousand predicted your sheer failure. Others considering their duty to make you aware of all the dangers present a complete list of all the fears and risks which are waiting for the devoted man on his way.
Stanza 6:
The final stanza of the poem is a piece of sincere advice from the poet to all his readers that never listen to such remarks with attentive ears. People always want to discourage and pass negative remarks but one should not pay heed to them and he should keep trying to achieve the task. He should be ready to face all challenges that appear in accomplishing the feat with a smile, determination, passion, and attention. While doing his work, he should sing a melodious tune to ignore the burden or hurdle that stood in his way. In the end, one would do it and get the success that others seem impossible to do.
Writing
Q 3. Have you ever accomplished something that other people considered impossible or difficult and tried to dissuade you from doing it?Answer: Being an individual who always has a desire to do something extraordinary or out of this world, two years back an idea clicked my mind. As usual, the idea was a unique one that’s why it received criticism from the people around me.
It was Sunday evening, when all the family members were sitting around the fireplace, a rare incident though. Weather outside was cold, howling winds were blowing. I decided to put forward my idea in the presence of everyone. I cleared my throat to get some attention. Then I started by assembling my words appropriately. “I want to create a children ‘s library at home in the back…” Before letting me complete my sentence, my father interrupted and said, “It’s impossible! How are you going to run it, what about finances, where your studies will go, how will you manage?” It was happening the same way as I expected. Then, it was my elder brother’s turn. He stated, “It’s ridiculous! How you’ll convince the people to send their children to waste their precious time in just reading STORY books?”
My mother was silently listening to this all. Then she spoke in a cold voice, “I simply don’t want you to waste your energy, time and resources on this silly idea.” Tears began to roll down from my eyes. But then I muster up courage as I didn’t want to let my idea vanish without even giving it a try. I requested all of them and said, “Please let me do it as I am quite passionate about this project. I have seen children running away from books, busy playing computer games or watching movies. I just want to attract them towards reading books and gaining knowledge. Don’t worry about finances, I am saving my pocket money for the last few months. I’ll buy some books from an old bookshop in the beginning.
To create awareness among neighbours, I would conduct a workshop for the parents about the importance of reading books and please don’t worry about my studies, I’ll manage.” The sitting was over and everyone resigned to their rooms. For the next two days, I kept trying my level best to convince my mother. Finally, she gave her verdict in favour of me and permitted me to begin the project but if she sees me losing interest in my studies or ignoring other tasks, she would not allow me to continue it anymore.
The very next day, I called my best friend to whom I’d discussed my plan some days back. She came and then we started our project enthusiastically by first cleaning, assembling and decorating the room keeping in view the age group of our strata i.e. 7 – 10 years old children. We bought hundreds of books from the shop and then arranged the workshop. Few of our neighbours attended it and we won in convincing some of them. We set the timings for our library from 5 – 6 p.m.
The following day, I was pretty much excited to see the children in my library giving strength to my dream project. Only two children came, read and enjoyed the experience. Next day, they brought two more of their friends. Day by day, the strength started to increase, making me proud of my act. My parents also got impressed with my efforts and passion. Side by side, I was also paying attention to my studies more than before by studying late at night.
After a month, my final papers approached, I took them and finally the result came out, making me stand out as a position holder in my matriculation exams. This made me proud in the eyes of my family and it was the time when my whole family decided to support me financially as well as morally.
Now after two years, my library has a collection of more than two thousand books and the strength has increased to above hundred children, some of them are the regular members of my library and own membership cards too.
In the end, I must be thankful to Allah Almighty for giving me passion and strength to initiate and run my project efficiently and my parents for their generous support.
Q 4. Read the story “Determination” again. How is this story an apt demonstration of the poem “It couldn’t be done”?
Answer: Determination, courage, passion, people’s criticism, enthusiasm, achievement, and success are the theme of both the lesson “Determination” and poem “It couldn’t be done.”
The story “Determination” is just the perfect reflection of the poem “It couldn’t be done.” The reason behind is that in the story the main character John Roebling was enthusiastic to achieve his dream vision to such an extent that he ignored all the suggestions, criticism and negative remarks put forward by a number of engineers all over the world.
The same optimistic attitude is demanded by the poet Edgar Guest from all his readers to begin your work with full zeal and fervour without paying heed to any negative comments by the people around you who are habitual of just criticizing you and stopping you to achieve something in your life that not only satisfies your inner self but makes you stand out among the rest of the world as a great fellow. For doing something, the first step is always the most difficult one to take and according to the poet, it becomes easy by just whistling a soft lovely tune that relaxes you and provides motivation to achieve something.
Passion and courage that were shown by Washington even after being handicapped and bed-ridden were exactly the same as Edgar wants to enlighten through his poetic terminology that one should be courageous enough that even knowing the hurdles on his way to success, he should accept that as a challenge and fearlessly try to achieve it by believing in God and one’s own self.
Q 5. What would have been the reaction of the people to Bouffier if they had discovered that the shepherd intended to populate a mountain range with oak and birch trees single-handed? Think of the phrases and sentences that they would have used about him.
Answer: The reaction would be both positive and negative of the people to Bouffier if they had discovered that the shepherd intended to populate a mountain range with oak and birch trees single-handed. Beginning with the positive ones, the sentences or phrases would be like:
Answer: The reaction would be both positive and negative of the people to Bouffier if they had discovered that the shepherd intended to populate a mountain range with oak and birch trees single-handed. Beginning with the positive ones, the sentences or phrases would be like:
- Bouffier was an incredible man having a rich bursting heart with the affection and care for the trees as well as mankind.
- What a hardworking man Bouffier was!
- Bouffier must be an angel sent by God to save and regenerate the desolate land with the tender love for nature.
- Awesome man! A man who gave birth to a lively, vivid civilization single-handed.
- The old soul must get recognition and reward!
- A marvellous tree-planter!
Now, coming to the negatives ones:
- A man who spoiled the desertedness of the land!
- Bouffier should not interfere in the work of God by giving a 360 degrees turn to the land He created, from barren to fertile.
- He must have taken permission from the owner of the land before quenching his thirst for tree-plantation.
- A man who just wasted his energy in the sole revolution of the serene land and making it a noisy terrain with people and transport.
Q 6. Use the following chart to record your statement of the meaning of the poem and your observations about the techniques of the poem. Each column in the chart deals with one of the poetic techniques.
| Meaning Theme | ||||
| STANZA TYPE | SPEAKER | SOUND | IMAGERY | FIGURATIVELANGUAGE |
| Stanza: | Human. | Rhyme: | Sight (Visual): | Similes: |
| Couplets Tersest Quatrains Quintets | The Poet Man/Woman | Rhythm: | Hearing (Aural): | Metaphors: |
| Mother/Father | ||||
| Young/Old | Alliteration: | Smell (Olfactory): | Implied metaphors: | |
| Boy/Girl | ||||
| Sestets Octave | Son/Daughter Non-human: | Consonance: | Taste: | Other Devices: |
| Strophes: | Animals | Assonance: | Touch (Tactile): | |
| Wild | ||||
| Domestic | Onomatopoeia | |||
| Plants | ||||
Answer: The poem “It couldn’t be done” is an excellent piece of poetry that is not only easily understandable but quite inspirational too.
It comprises of 24 lines and hence forms a quatrain structure of the poem. Every stanza is composed of 4 lines. The quatrain follows the ACBD pattern.
The poet himself is the speaker of the poem as he is talking and advising his readers to adopt passionately the way to achieve their goals without paying attention to the criticism by others around you.
A terrific sense of rhyme and rhythm can be felt while reading the poem due to the perfect usage of the rhyming pattern throughout the poem. For instance: done – one, replied – tried, that – hat, quiddity – it.
The poet used the technique of repetition quite artistically to convey and put stress on the basic idea of his poem. Such as: “bucked right in with the trace of a grin” or “There are thousands”, as well as “He started to sing as he tackled the thing”.
Along with repetition, there is the element of Apostrophe too as the poem is written in such a style that it seems that the poet is speaking directly to the readers and giving them advice about how to achieve the impossible.
Alliteration is also there in the poem such as:
1st line: somebody and said,
4th line: who and wouldn’t, say and so
6th line: his, he and hid,
7th line: started and sing,
8th line: done and did,
9th line: somebody and scoffed,
17th line: there and thousands,
19th line: out and one,
20th line: but, buckle and bit,
23rd line: the and thing.
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