There were six traits of good character discussed in the lesson: respect, compassion, perseverance, courage, integrity, and trus
tworthiness. Which of the listed traits is the theme of the poem “It Couldn’t Be Done”? In a paragraph of not less than five sentences, discuss your choice and give at least two quotes from the poem to justify your selection. (Site 2) Somebody said that it couldn’t be done
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!
Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it;”
But he took off his coat and he took off his hat
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it.
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it;
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That “cannot be done,” and you’ll do it.
Japanese missions to Tang China were important because it enabled Chinese customs to spread to Japan. This would create cultural diffusion and and hopefully lead to uniformity.
