Team Work – by Edgar A. Guest
Class: 6th Standard | Subject: English | Type: Poem | Syllabus: SCERT New Syllabus (2nd Term, Unit 1)
About the Poet
Edgar Albert Guest (1881–1959) began his illustrious career in 1895 at the age of fourteen when his work first appeared in the Detroit Free Press. His column was syndicated in over 300 newspapers, and he came to be known as "The Poet of the People". Guest was made Poet Laureate of Michigan, the only poet to have been awarded that title. His poems often had an inspirational and optimistic view of everyday life.
The Poem
It's all very well to have courage and skill
And it's fine to be counted a star,
But the single deed with its touch of thrill
Doesn't tell the man you are;
For there's no lone hand in the game we play,
We must work to a bigger scheme,
And the thing that counts in the world to-day
Is, How do you pull with the team?They may sound your praise and call you great,
They may single you out for fame,
But you must work with your running mate
Or you'll never win the game;
Oh, never the work of life is done
By the man with a selfish dream,
For the battle is lost or the battle is won
By the spirit of the team.You may think it fine to be praised for skill,
But a greater thing to do
Is to set your mind and set your will
On the goal that's just in view;
It's helping your fellowman to score
When his chances hopeless seem;
It's forgetting self till the game is o're
And fighting for the team.
Summary and Analysis
The poem "Team Work" by Edgar A. Guest is an inspirational piece that celebrates the value of working together as a team rather than seeking individual glory. The poet begins by acknowledging that having personal courage and skill is admirable, and being recognised as a star is certainly fine. However, he quickly points out that a single brilliant deed does not truly define a person's character. What really matters in life, according to the poet, is how well you contribute to the larger group effort — how you "pull with the team."
In the second stanza, the poet warns against the trap of personal fame. People may praise you and single you out for glory, but unless you work alongside your teammates — your "running mate" — you will never truly win. He powerfully declares that no selfish person can accomplish life's work alone. The outcome of any battle, whether victory or defeat, is determined by the collective spirit of the team, not by any one individual.
The final stanza delivers the poem's most inspiring message. The poet urges the reader to look beyond personal praise and instead focus on helping others succeed, especially when their chances seem hopeless. True greatness lies in forgetting oneself, setting aside ego, and fighting for the team until the very end. The poem uses the metaphor of a sports game to convey a universal life lesson: selflessness, cooperation, and team spirit are far more valuable than individual achievement.
Glossary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Deed | Act; Achievement |
| Scheme | Plan |
| Fame | Glory; being well-known |
| Mate | Companion; Partner |
| Spirit | Will; Determination |
| O're | A poetic abbreviation for "over" |
| Courage | Bravery; the ability to face difficulty without fear |
| Lone hand | Working alone; individual effort |
| Selfish | Concerned only with one's own benefit |
| Fellowman | A fellow human being; teammate |
Literary Devices
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows an ABABCDCD rhyme scheme in each stanza (e.g., skill/thrill, star/are, play/to-day, scheme/team).
- Metaphor: The entire poem uses the metaphor of a sports game to represent the larger game of life, where teamwork is essential for success.
- Rhetorical Question: "How do you pull with the team?" — This question is used to make the reader reflect on their own contributions to teamwork.
- Repetition: Words like "team," "game," and "skill" are repeated to reinforce the central theme of teamwork.
- Contrast: Individual glory is contrasted with team effort throughout the poem — "single deed" vs. "bigger scheme," "selfish dream" vs. "spirit of the team."
- Contraction: Poetic contractions such as "it's," "doesn't," "there's," "you'll," and "o're" are used to maintain rhythm and meter.
Themes
- Teamwork and Cooperation: The central theme — success comes from working together, not from individual brilliance alone.
- Selflessness: The poem emphasises putting the team's goals above personal glory and helping others when they struggle.
- True Character: A person's worth is measured not by solo achievements but by how well they support and uplift others.
- Humility: The poet encourages setting aside ego and praise in favour of collective success.
- Life as a Game: Life itself is presented as a team sport where cooperation determines outcomes.