
Some dismiss it as overly emotional, while others believe the heartfelt simplicity is precisely its appeal. I use this as an intorduction into poetry. Scaffold by using this poem prior to more difficult poems on as many students will be able to easily connect and comprehend with little difficulty. Critical opinion on the value of Whittier's poetry is mixed. 'Don't Quit' poem by John Greenleaf after reading questions to assist students with central idea, tone, context clues. When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. He was a staunch abolitionist, and produced two collections of anti-slavery poems, along with an anti-slavery pamphlet that managed to incur the wrath of bothsides and effectively any hopes Whittier had of a political career. An avid reader and writer early on, Whittier spent much of his working life as an editor, though he had political aspirations as well. Born into a Massachusetts farm family, Whittier was introduced to poetry by one of his school teachers. And Whittier was one of those rare poets who actually made a rather comfortable living from the proceeds of his work. The author is: “John Greenleaf Whittier (1807 - 1892) was one of the "Fireside Poets," called such because their work was popular enough to be read (ostensibly by the fire) in homes all over America. My grandfather kept it with him as a Div 1 United States Marine at Okinawa and then on his desk when he was a community leader in NY’s Little Italy & Chinatown. For 3 generations this poem was passed from father to son in my family. In the 30-year struggle to abolish slavery, John Greenleaf Whittier played an important role as a poet, as a politician, and as a moral force. I only found out recently that the author is NOT anonymous. It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit. So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit– When he might have captured the victor’s cup,Īnd he learned too late when the night slipped down,Īnd you never can tell how close you are,


When he might have won had he stuck it out ĭon’t give up though the pace seems slow– When the funds are low and the debts are high,Īnd you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill, When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, I do hope that this poem will bring some degree of optimism and positivity in otherwise negative environment.and hopefully you will find it inspiring too, as much as I do. I thought of posting this at LinkedIn, mainly in light of various negative posts that I have been seeing lately, which justify and encourage quitting. It has definitely inspired generations of Americans. This is a superb inspiring poem, in my view, although no one knows who wrote this poem, and exactly how long ago it was written. Dont Quit is a poem written by John Greenleaf Whittier about never giving up, no matter what happens in ones life.
