Student Question
What are the two types of people in Edgar A. Guest's poem "Other's Success"?
Quick answer:
In Edgar A. Guest's poem "Other's Success," there are two types of people: those who feel jealousy and resentment when others succeed, and those who genuinely congratulate and celebrate others' achievements. The former are depicted as envious and lonely, while the latter are portrayed as happier and fulfilled by sharing in others' joy. The poem emphasizes the importance of choosing to be supportive rather than envious.
The poem "Other's Success" asks the reader if they're the kind of person who gets upset when others succeed and draws out the idea of two kinds of people: those who can genuinely congratulate others and those who are too consumed by their jealousy to be happy for someone else. The poem asks the question many times, which flushes out the author's idea about the two kinds of people.
The former kind is someone who would "sneer" and feel envious. The latter kind is someone who would congratulate their friend or brother and shake their hand and feel delight for their success in whatever endeavor. The poet also makes it clear that he thinks the envious person will be left sad and lonely, whereas the person who can find joy in the success of others will be much happier.
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