Poetic Appreciation: Have You Earned Your Tomorrow?   
Edger Guest 

Q. Read the extract carefully and write an appreciation of the poem Have You Earned Your Tomorrow. 

Answer:- 

The poem, 'Have You Earned Your Tomorrow' Is the inspirational poem of the well-known British American poet Edger Guest. The poet used to write in very simple language optimistically that's why he is known as a Peoples' Poet. A similar simplicity and optimism can be seen in the present poem. The poem is in a question form, the poet has been asking the questions readers. It is quatrains as it has four lines stanza structure. The poem has four stanzas of four lines each with a regular rhyme scheme. The first line rhymes with the second and the third line with the fourth. Hence the rhyme scheme of the poem is aabb, ccaa, ddee, faa. The speciality of the poem is that it has eleven questions in the poem, hence the prominent figure of speech in the poem is Interrogation. There is one more noticeable figure of speech in the poem which is Alliteration.
The main theme of the poem is an inspiration. It's an inspirational poem that enables the readers to do the self Introspection and helps us with self-improvement. The poet is asking the readers that have they secured their future by helping others or doing their duties for others. The poet said that today's good deeds will be the treasure of tomorrow. It also focuses on the karma philosophy that earns your tomorrow by doing good to others today. The questions in the poem are telling us to do good to others or to make someone's day. 

The moral of the poem is that "As you sow so shall you reap" whatever you have done today same thing you are going to get back. For expecting a good future from the future we should be good, and do good to get good returns. I like this poem very much as it helps us with self-improvement.



1) About the poem /Poet and the title

The poem 'Have You Earned Your Tomorrow' is written by the renowned American poet Edgar Guest. He was also known as people's poet and writer. The title of the poem is self-explanatory.This is an inspirational poem. It is a thought provoking poem.

 

2)Theme/central idea 

The poet has urged people and reader to be thoughtful in day to day life.The poet has put forward few questions.It made us to think if we are kind, generous, unselfish, patient and compassionate or not. We should be considerate in our lives. We are so selfish and engrossed that we do not bother about others.

3)Poetic devices, language,

style

     The use of interrogation is prominent. Out of sixteen lines,poet has used interrogation in eleven lines. The language is very simple. There is alliteration and rhyme. The poem has four stanzas of four lines each. The first Stanza has four lines having fourteen syllables.The second.third and Fourth have fifteen syllables.



4) special features, tone and type.



5) Message, values,moral in the poem.



     The message is clear.ones life is meaningful only if it is useful for humanity at large. If you are 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.



6) your 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.




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