Line By Line Analysis Of Nine Gold Medals by David Roth | ICSE CLASS 9 AND 10 ENGLISH

STANZA ONE

The athletes had come from all over the country

To run for the gold, for the silver and bronze

The poem begins with the
information that various sportsmen have gathered from all over the country to
take far in the tournament of ‘Special Olympics’. They were all competing for
the gold, silver and bronze medals. It introduces us to the grand scale of the
event and who different people have put in their efforts to win rewards.

Many weeks and months of training

All coming down to these games.

They have undergone several weeks
and months of rigorous training before participating in this tournament. They
aim to succeed in their endeavour as they have worked hard and aim to achieve
the rewards. These lines describe the aspirations of the players.

STANZA TWO

The spectators gathered around the old field

To cheer on all the young women and men

The audience has gathered around
the typically ‘old’ arena cheering for their favourite young women and men
participants. This shows the great gusto and buildup of the event.

The final event of the day was approaching

Excitement grew high to begin.

The ultimate event of the day was soon
approaching. A feeling of suspense and enthusiasm was prevailing in the air. The excitement was high among the spectators and the players.

STANZA THREE

The blocks were all lined up for those who would use
them

The hundred-yard dash and the race to be run

The tracks were all lined up with
contestants ready to reach their purpose. An air of thrill-filled the field.
Here, we are acquainted with the last event of the tournament, the ‘ hundred-
yard dash’ which they were to run.

These were nine resolved athletes in back of the
starting line

Poised for the sound of the gun.

Nine athletes were competing for
the hundred-meter race ‘ The hundred-yard dash’. They took their positions,
eager and directed, alertly waiting for the sound of the gun.

STANZA FOUR

The signal was given, the pistol exploded

And so did the runners all charging ahead

Finally, the wait was over, the pistol flared and
they ran to relish their dream into reality. They all ‘ charged ahead’. Here,
the climax of the narrative is attained. The swift pace of rhythm as soon as
the signal was ‘ given’ and the gun ‘ exploded’ mimics the nearing climax.

But the smallest among them, he stumbled and staggered

And fell to the asphalt instead.

Suddenly, the atmosphere attained
its climax and to the despair of everyone, the smallest among the player ‘ stumbled ’ and ‘
staggered’ down. He fell to the asphalt.

STANZA FIVE

He gave out a cry in frustration and anguish

His dreams and his efforts all dashed in the dirt

He cried out in frustration and
suffering. His dream and all efforts seemed to go in vain. He was injured both
by the harsh asphalt and by the thought of losing even before finishing the
race.

But as sure as I’m standing here telling this story

The same goes for what next occurred.

The poet stands here as a
narrator. Here, the narration is the first person as can be interpreted by the line
‘ But as sure as I’m standing/here telling this story’.

STANZA SIX

The eight other runners pulled up on their heels

The ones who had trained for so long to

Hearing his sharp cry, all other
eight players stopped their race and turned round to help the young boy. They
chose humanity over competition despite the fact that they too had been waiting
for this day and working hard to achieve their dream.

One by one they all turned around and went back to
help him

And brought the young boy to his feet.

One after other they all turned
and provided him with a helping hand. They helped him to stand up and brought
him on his feet. This shows the sense of brotherhood which is far above winning
the race.

STANZA SEVEN

Then all the nine runners joined hands and continued

The hundred-yard dash now reduced to a walk

All of them joined hand in hand walked
to complete the race. The hundred-meter race was reduced to a mere walk. This
gesture lightly shows the power if unity and how one can unite to gain success.
Cooperation is foremost in these lines.

And a banner above that said (Special Olympics)

Could not have been more on the mark.

Banner above them said ‘ Special
Olympics ’. The race was indeed special as everyone was united to reach the
same goal. This could not have been better according to the poet ‘ Could not
have been more on the mark.’ The author here strikes a note by skillfully
switching the focus from the condition of the players to the enormity of their
action.

STANZA EIGHT

That’s how the race ended, with nine gold medals

They came to the finish line holding hands still

In this way, the race ended. Each
player was conferred with a gold medal for their true sportsman spirit and
sense of empathy. Their holding hands have proved that brotherhood is above the
burden of winning the race.

And a standing ovation and nine beaming faces

Said more than these words ever will.

They were honoured with a standing
ovation by all. The nine glowing faces conveyed more than any feelings which is
brought out in the poem.