The Things That Haven't Been Done Before - Edgar Guest - Poem & Summary

 

The things that haven’t been done before, Those are the things to try; Columbus dreamed of an unknown shore At the rim of the far-flung sky, And his heart was bold and his faith was strong As he ventured in dangers new, And he paid no heed to the jeering throng Or the fears of the doubting crew. The many will follow the beaten track With guideposts on the way. They live and have lived for ages back With a chart for every day. Someone has told them it’s safe to go On the road he has traveled o’er, And all that they ever strive to know Are the things that were known before. A few strike out without map or chart, Where never a man has been, From the beaten path they draw apart To see what no man has seen. There are deeds they hunger alone to do; Though battered and bruised and sore, They blaze the path for the many, who Do nothing not done before. The things that haven’t been done before Are the tasks worthwhile today; Are you one of the flock that follows, or Are you one that shall lead the way? Are you one of the timid souls that quail At the jeers of a doubting crew, Or dare you, whether you win or fail, Strike out for a goal that’s new?  About the Author Edgar Guest (1881 - 1959)  was born in England,  but moved with his family to Detroit, Michigan, when he was ten years old. He worked for more than sixty years at the Detroit Free Press, publishing his first poem at the age of seventeen, then going on to become a reporter and columnist whose work was featured in hundreds of newspapers around the country. Edgar is said to have written some 11,000 poems during his lifetime, most of it sentimental, short, upbeat verse. Critics often derided his work, but America adored him. He was known as the "People's Poet," served as Michigan's poet laureate, hosted a long-running radio show and TV show, and published more than twenty books. Summary "The Things That Haven’t Been Done Before" by Edgar Guest is a motivational poem encouraging innovation, courage, and the pursuit of new challenges. The poem emphasizes the importance of venturing into uncharted territories and attempting tasks that have never been done. Guest celebrates the spirit of pioneering and the satisfaction that comes from achieving what others deem impossible. He insists the readers to take risks, embrace new opportunities, and lead with courage and determination. He emphasizes the value of pursuing new goals, regardless of potential failures or doubts from others. Answer in a sentence 1. Who does the poem mention as an example of a pioneer? 2. What are the two kinds of people mentioned in the poem? 3. What are the questions posed by the poet at the end of the poem? Paragraph 1. How does Edgar Guest contrast the behaviour of the majority with that of the pioneering few in the poem? 2. How does Columbus set as an example for pursuing uncharted goals? Essay 1. Analyze the poem's perspective on failure and success. 2. Examine the key themes of the poem.

“The Things That Haven't been done before” by Edgar Albert Guest describes the story of Christopher Columbus. It tells how he landed on Caribbean Island in 1492. The author says that it his strong faith in his dream of voyages across the Atlantic Ocean made him successful. 

The poem begins by saying that it is best to try things that have never been done before. Columbus dreamed of exploring the world at the edge of the wide sky. His heart was courageous and so he ventured into unknown risks. He didn’t listen to the mob's jeers or the trembling crew's concerns.

The poet says that there are two categories of people.

 

            The majority of the people will follow the well-worn paths with markers along the way. They have been living with a chart every day because they have been told to travel safely on the road well-known.  Everything they have ever sought to know are the things that were known before.

 

Some people don’t use a map or chart to reach their destination. Rather than the well-trodden path, they choose the path where no man has ever been. In order to see something no man has seen, they do not follow the familiar path. There are activities they yearn to carry out alone. Despite being hurt, bruised, and sore, they pave the way for several people who used to do nothing new.

 

Hence the poet presents the contrast between the majority who want to stay safe within the limits of the accomplished and the minority who endure hardships and be a trailblazer for others to follow.

 

Finally, the poet Guest asks a few questions to the readers whether they belong to the mob that is content to follow or lead; or that trembles in fear of criticism or faces challenges for achieving success.  He suggests that the new ways that haven't been tried before are today's tasks valuable.

 

Thus, the poem insists the people to embrace courage and confidence and embark on uncharted paths in pursuit of their goals regardless of success or failure.