1.2. LEARNING TOGETHER- Try Again - Class 7 - Poorvi

BhashaLab
Jun 22
4 min read

📘 Chapter Title : Bruce and the Spider

Author: Eliza Cook

Textbook: Poorvi

Genre: Narrative Poem

📝 Summary :

The poem "Bruce and the Spider" is a motivational narrative based on the legendary story of King Bruce of Scotland. Feeling dejected after repeated failures to achieve a great deed for his people, King Bruce lies in despair. At that moment, he observes a small spider trying to climb up to its web. Despite slipping and falling multiple times, the spider continues its efforts undeterred. On its tenth attempt, it finally succeeds in reaching its web. Inspired by the spider’s determination and perseverance, King Bruce resolves not to give up and tries again with renewed courage. Eventually, he achieves success in his quest. The poem uses the spider’s persistence as a metaphor for human struggles, emphasizing the importance of resilience and hope in the face of failures. Through a simple and engaging story, Eliza Cook teaches us that success comes to those who keep trying, no matter how many times they fall.

👤 Character Sketch:

King Bruce –

A noble Scottish monarch burdened by repeated failures. Initially depicted as sad and hopeless, he transforms into a brave, determined figure inspired by the actions of a tiny spider. His growth from despair to renewed resolve shows that he is reflective, observant, and ultimately courageous.

📚 Themes:

Theme	Description
Perseverance	The spider’s relentless attempts show the power of never giving up.
Inspiration from Nature	King Bruce draws motivation from a tiny creature, proving that wisdom can come from anywhere.
Overcoming Despair	The transition from failure to hope underscores the strength of mental resilience.
Effort and Reward	Hard work, even after repeated failure, ultimately leads to success.

✨ Literary / Poetic Devices:

Device	Example
Alliteration	“Steadily, steadily”, “tried and tried” – repetition of consonant sounds.
Metaphor	The spider’s climb mirrors Bruce’s emotional struggle.
Repetition	“Up, up it ran”, “Bravo, bravo!” – used for emphasis and rhythm.
Personification	The spider’s actions are given human traits like “endeavour” and “complaint”.
Imagery	“Silken filmy clue”, “a little dizzy and faint” – evokes vivid mental images.

📖 Title Justification:

The title "Bruce and the Spider" is apt as it highlights the central characters of the poem. The poem revolves around King Bruce’s emotional journey and how the spider’s persistence helps him overcome despair. The spider becomes a symbol of hope and motivation, and Bruce’s story shows the transformation brought about by this small yet powerful act. Hence, the title captures both the plot and the theme.

✅ One-Mark Questions:

Who is the central character in the poem?
→ King Bruce of Scotland.
What creature inspires the King?
→ A small, determined spider.
How many times did the spider try to reach its web?
→ Nine times before succeeding on the tenth.
What did the King say after seeing the spider succeed?
→ “Bravo, bravo! All honour to those who try.”
What is the poem’s main message?
→ Never give up, even after repeated failures.

✅ Three-Mark Questions :

Why was King Bruce feeling sad at the beginning of the poem?
→ King Bruce had failed multiple times in doing a great deed for his people. His repeated failures had left him disheartened and he was ready to give up.
How does the spider’s action influence King Bruce?
→ The spider’s repeated attempts to reach its web, despite failing multiple times, inspired King Bruce. It made him realize that persistence can lead to success, which gave him the motivation to try again.
What does the poem teach us about determination?
→ The poem shows that success does not come easily but to those who keep trying. It uses the spider’s determination as a metaphor to inspire readers not to lose hope.

🧠 Value-Based Question:

Q: What moral does King Bruce’s experience with the spider teach us, and how can it be applied to real life?

→ King Bruce’s story teaches us that failures are not the end but part of the journey towards success. By observing a small spider never giving up, we learn that inspiration can come from anywhere. This lesson encourages us to remain patient, persistent, and hopeful even in tough situations.

End

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