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Edgar Albert Guest's 'It Couldn T Be Done'

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Throughout the life of an individual there will be people to claim to know what is possible and what is not. However, in the poem by Edgar Albert Guest, “It Couldn’t Be Done,” he emphasizes only oneself can determine that. He conveys the idea that as long as there is no doubt anything is can be done regardless of what it is. The doubts of people are like water, trying to drown the will of others. It is important to not doubt oneself and to not listen to the doubts of others.
Edgar Albert Guest chooses to use particular words and phrases in order to convey the idea that anything can be achieved so long as an attempt is done. In the firs stanza Guest mentions “something” that cannot be done, but the author’s opinion differs. Although, the many claim to know what he can and cannot do, he will attempt to do it regardless, “Somebody said it couldn’t be done/ But with a chuckle replied/ ‘maybe it couldn’t,’ but he would be one/ who wouldn’t say so till he tried” (1-4). Guest argues that it does not matter if society doubts. The outcome of a certain something shall never be known unless an attempt is done at it. …show more content…

However, he ignores them. That which cannot be done should be attempted with no hesitation and with confidence: “With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, / without any doubting of quiddity, / He started to sing as he tackled the thing” (13-15). Guest emphasizes that if something must be done then it should be done with no doubt and with confidence in oneself. Once doubt leaves the mind then the impossible will become possible: “That couldn’t be done, and he did it” (16). The first step in achieving the impossible is believing in

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