Question

Read the poems below and complete the instruction that follows. "Success is counted sweetest" by Emily Dickinson Success is counted sweetest By those who ne'er succeed. To comprehend a nectar Requires sorest need. Not one of all the purple Host Who took the Flag today Can tell the definition So clear of victory As he defeated—dying— On whose forbidden ear The distant strains of triumph Burst agonized and clear! Source: Dickinson, Emily. "Success is counted sweetest." PoetryFoundation.org. Poetry Foundation, n.d. Web. 17 May 2011. "Successful Failure" by Robert William Service I wonder if successful men Are always happy? And do they sing with gusto when Springtime is sappy? Although I am of snow-white hair And nighly mortal, Each time I sniff the April air I chortle. I wonder if a millionaire Jigs with enjoyment, Having such heaps of time to spare For daft employment. For as I dance the Highland Fling My glee is muckle, And doping out new songs to sing I chuckle. I wonder why so soon forgot Are fame and riches; Let cottage comfort be my lot With well-worn britches. As in a pub a poor unknown, Brown ale quaffing, To think of all I'll never own,— I'm laughing. Source: Service, Robert William. "Successful Failure." FamousPoetsandPoems.com. FamousPoetsandPoems.com, n.d. Web. 17 May 2011. Identify a universal theme for each of the poems. Then, compare and contrast the two poems for their content and their themes.

Answer 1

The Universal theme is that there is always a bright side to life not meant with riches. The first poem states that every cost of a life is worth something. Second poem is grief about the lost ones who sacrificed their lives.

Answer 2

The universal theme of the poems is success.

In "Success is Counted Sweetest", Emily Dickinson depicts a soldier about to die, to convey that success can be appreciated only by those who have experienced failure.

As regards to "Successful Failure", Robert William Service speculates whether successful people are really happy. The reason is he feels joyful for the simple things in life, and for the things he will never possess.