See It Through
by Edgar Albert Guest
When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it’s vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don’t let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you’re beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don’t give up, whate’er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through!
Unlocking the Power of “See It Through”
Edgar Albert Guest’s poem “See It Through” stands as a timeless beacon of encouragement, a powerful reminder that perseverance is the key to overcoming life’s inevitable challenges. Often celebrated as the “People’s Poet” for his accessible language and uplifting themes, Guest crafted this piece to resonate with anyone facing adversity. This comprehensive guide delves into the heart of “See It Through,” exploring its central message, its enduring popularity, and the masterful literary and poetic devices that make it such an impactful work. Discover how this poem continues to inspire steadfastness and resilience in the face of difficulty.
A Clear Path Forward: Understanding “See It Through”
“See It Through” is more than just a poem; it is a philosophy for life, urging readers to confront obstacles with unwavering determination. This section provides a clear summary of the poem’s core ideas and its lasting significance.
The Enduring Appeal of Edgar Albert Guest’s Masterpiece
First published in his 1917 collection, Just Folk Tales, “See It Through” quickly cemented its place as one of Edgar Albert Guest’s most beloved and enduring works. Guest, a British-born American poet, possessed a unique ability to articulate universal human experiences in simple, direct language, earning him the affectionate title of the “People’s Poet.” The poem’s popularity stems from its straightforward, yet profound, message of resilience and its practical advice for navigating hardship. Its timeless quality ensures its continued relevance, making it a cherished source of inspiration for generations seeking strength and resolve.
The Core Message: Steadfastness in Adversity
The central idea of “See It Through” revolves around the indomitable human spirit and the power of perseverance. The poem champions determination, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to one’s goals, regardless of the difficulties encountered. It serves as a powerful call to action, encouraging individuals to meet challenges head-on rather than attempting to avoid them. Guest emphasizes that even in the face of potential failure, the act of striving and refusing to surrender holds immense value. The poem’s core themes are:
- Perseverance: The unwavering commitment to continue despite difficulties.
- Resilience: The ability to recover quickly from setbacks.
- Determination: Firmness of purpose and resolve.
- Courage: Facing fear and difficulty with strength.
The very first stanza sets this resolute tone, emphasizing readiness and resolve:
When you’re up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
The subsequent stanzas acknowledge the grim realities of hardship, yet consistently reinforce the advice to stand firm and fight to the finish. “See It Through” ultimately reminds readers that success often comes not from avoiding struggle, but from confronting it with steadfast resolve until the very end.
A Deeper Look: Literary and Poetic Devices in “See It Through”
Edgar Albert Guest masterfully employs various literary and poetic devices to enhance the impact of “See It Through,” making its message both memorable and deeply resonant. These techniques contribute to the poem’s rhythm, imagery, and overall persuasive power.
Crafting Clarity: Diction and Tone
The poem’s diction, or word choice, is notably direct, accessible, and encouraging. Guest uses simple, everyday language that speaks directly to the reader, avoiding complex vocabulary or obscure allusions. This choice of words creates an immediate connection and reinforces the poem’s practical, down-to-earth advice. For example, phrases like “Lift your chin,” “Plant your feet,” and “Keep yourself in fighting trim” are clear, actionable, and easily understood. This accessible diction contributes to an overall tone that is inspirational, resolute, and empathetic, as if a trusted mentor is offering guidance.
The Rhythm of Resolve: Meter and Rhyme
The structural elements of “See It Through” contribute significantly to its memorable quality and its sense of unwavering resolve.
- End Rhyme: The poem utilizes a consistent AABB end rhyme scheme in each stanza. This regular pattern, exemplified by lines such as “face” and “brace,” or “do” and “through,” creates a musicality and a sense of completeness at the end of each couplet. The predictable rhyme scheme makes the poem easy to follow and remember, reinforcing its straightforward message.
- Meter: Guest employs a relatively consistent meter, primarily iambic tetrameter, which means each line generally contains four pairs of unstressed and stressed syllables. This creates a steady, marching rhythm that mirrors the poem’s theme of steadfast progress and determination. The regular beat provides a sense of stability and forward momentum, encouraging the reader to “see it through” with a steady pace.
Painting Pictures with Words: Imagery and Symbolism
Guest uses vivid language to create mental pictures that help readers visualize and connect with the poem’s message of strength and perseverance.
- Imagery: The poem is rich with strong, action-oriented imagery that appeals to the visual and kinesthetic senses. Phrases like “Lift your chin and set your shoulders,” “Plant your feet and take a brace,” and “Keep yourself in fighting trim” create powerful mental images of a person physically preparing to face a challenge. These images convey a sense of strength, readiness, and an active posture against adversity. Similarly, “Eyes front, head high to the finish” paints a picture of unwavering focus and dignity.
- Symbolism: Certain elements in the poem carry deeper, symbolic meanings. The “Black may be the clouds about you” serves as a clear symbol for the problems, difficulties, and periods of despair one encounters in life. These dark clouds represent the overwhelming nature of troubles. Conversely, the repeated emphasis on body parts like the “chin,” “shoulders,” “feet,” and “eyes” symbolizes the human capacity for physical and mental fortitude, representing the indomitable spirit confronting adversity.
Figurative Language: Metaphor and Personification
Guest employs figurative language to add depth and vividness to his message, making abstract ideas more concrete and relatable.
- Metaphor: Several powerful metaphors are used to convey the poem’s central theme.
“Plant your feet and take a brace”
This line metaphorically suggests establishing a firm, stable stance, like a tree rooting itself or a structure being reinforced, to prepare for and withstand challenges. It implies mental and emotional preparation as much as physical.
“Black may be the clouds about you”
Here, dark clouds are a metaphor for overwhelming difficulties or a grim outlook on the future, suggesting a period of trouble that obscures clarity and hope.
“Keep yourself in fighting trim”
This phrase uses a metaphor from combat or athletics, comparing the act of maintaining readiness and mental fortitude to being physically prepared for a battle or competition. It emphasizes the need to stay sharp and ready for whatever comes.
- Personification: The poem subtly uses personification by giving human-like qualities to abstract concepts. “Trouble” is presented as an entity that can be “met squarely, face to face,” as if it were an adversary or opponent. This personification makes the challenge seem more tangible and therefore more conquerable, encouraging a direct confrontation rather than avoidance.
Sound and Structure: Alliteration, Assonance, Consonance, and Enjambment
The careful use of sound devices and structural choices further enhances the poem’s impact and readability.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds, known as alliteration, adds a rhythmic quality and emphasizes certain phrases.
“Meet it squarely, face to face”
The repetition of the ‘f’ sound here draws attention to the direct confrontation being advised. Other examples include “future may seem grim” and “fall still fighting,” which create a sense of cohesion and musicality.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words in close proximity, or assonance, contributes to the poem’s flow and sonic appeal.
“Plant your feet and take a brace”
The repeated short ‘a’ sound in “plant,” “and,” and “take” creates a subtle internal harmony, making the line more pleasing to the ear.
- Consonance: Similar to alliteration and assonance, consonance involves the repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words in a line.
“You may fail, but fall still fighting”
The repeated ‘f’ sound here, not just at the beginning of words, reinforces the idea of persistent effort even in the face of setbacks. Another instance is the ‘t’ sound in “Plant your feet and take a brace,” which adds a sense of firmness.
- Enjambment: Guest occasionally uses enjambment, where a sentence or thought continues from one line to the next without a grammatical pause.
“But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.”This technique creates a smoother, more natural flow, mimicking conversational speech and emphasizing the connection between the ideas presented across the line break. It encourages the reader to move seamlessly from one line to the next, reinforcing the continuous nature of perseverance.
The Lasting Legacy: Why “See It Through” Resonates
“See It Through” by Edgar Albert Guest remains a powerful and relevant poem because its message transcends time and circumstance. It offers not just advice, but a philosophy for living a resilient and determined life. The poem’s accessible language, combined with its strong imagery and rhythmic structure, makes its call to perseverance unforgettable. It reminds us that every challenge, no matter how daunting, is an opportunity to demonstrate courage and unwavering resolve. The enduring wisdom of “See It Through” lies in its simple, yet profound, encouragement to face life’s troubles directly, to give one’s best effort, and to never surrender. This timeless piece continues to inspire countless individuals to stand tall, keep fighting, and ultimately, to see it through to the finish.