2.4 Have You Earned Your Tomorrow?

About the poem, Poet and the title- This poem is written by the famous poet Edgar Guest. He was known as a ‘people's poet’. The title of the poem is self-explanatory. This is an inspirational poem and thought-provoking poem. It encourages the reader to do something for the society. The title of the poem suggests that the poet is expecting something from the readers. The writer has utilized facetious inquiries to move and pass on his thoughts. This is a novel and inventive style utilized by the writer. Reference of day-to-day habits right away makes an association with this poem.

 

Theme/Central idea -The theme of the poem is that one should consider one's actions and deeds carefully and plan accordingly for a better future. The poet directly emphasizes the question to the readers to stress his intention. He expects that we should be careful while maintaining relationships with others because doing or behaving well with others is indirectly inviting good for us to make our future bright. We should be thoughtful in our everyday life. We should avoid negative features of behaviour like rudeness, jealousy etc.

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Poetic devices, Language, Style -The poetic devices like alliteration, synecdoche and interrogation are utilized. The rhyme scheme is aabb. The use of interrogation is prominent which clearly States the intention of the poet. Out of sixteen lines, the poet has used interrogation in eleven lines. The language is very simple. The poem has four stanzas of four lines each(quatrains). The first line rhyme with the second and third with the fourth in each stanza. 

 

Message, Values, Moral in the poem- The message is clear. one's life is meaningful only if it is useful for humanity at large. If you are able to help others and kind enough probably you may earn your tomorrow. Instead of waiting for tomorrow, you can utilise each day as if there would be no tomorrow. The poet further informs the reader that it is up to you whether you will have a better future or not. Therefore, one should consider one's actions and deeds carefully and plan accordingly for a better future.

 

My opinion about the poem - I like the poem because it is related to our day to day life. It has a message for all the readers. I like the last stanza of the poem very much. It is an uplifting poem. We can start implementing the message conveyed in this poem. The poet tells the reader that one should be benevolent. Your existence on this earth is fruitful only when you are doing something good for others .one should spend the way happily and not disappointedly. A kind of devotion makes a man worthy to live in a society. One should be kind enough and should run for others' help, is the only way that gives you a kind of satisfaction. It is really an uplifting poem. 

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