What is the meaning behind if by Rudyard Kipling?
What is the meaning of "If—" by Ruyard Kipling? The poem "If—" by Ruyard Kipling is about how to live a good life and be a good man. The poem's meaning is closely tied to traditional ideas about masculinity, as much of the advice given by the speaker emphasizes the importance of stoicism, self-reliance, and steadfastness.
What is the message behind if by Rudyard Kipling?
What is the message presented in the poem "If—" by Rudyard Kipling? Rudyard Kipling's poem "If — " contains a thoughtful message about how to live a successful, principled, and happy life despite the challenges that one will inevitably face.
What are literary devices used in if by Rudyard Kipling?
The word “if” is used to emphasize the possibility of finding an individual in that situation, while “you” can be used to emphasizes taking responsibility. There is yet another literary device used in this poem; that of personification. Kipling distinctively gives life and excitement to this piece of literature by using personification.
What is the tone of 'if' by Rudyard Kipling?
If by Rudyard Kipling Analysis. The poem is a motivational one in the form of a dramatic monologue. A father, who is the narrator of the poem, is explaining different personality traits to his son to adapt them in order to be a good and humble man. The father advises his son in a fatherly but friendly way. The tone is rather unemotional but caring.
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What is the meaning of Rudyard Kipling's poem If?
Summary. 'If—' is an inspirational poem that provides advice on how one should live one's life. The poem takes the reader through various ways in which the reader can rise above adversity that will almost certainly be thrown one's way at some point.
What is the theme of the poem What If?
In course of the thirty two lines of the poem, Kipling advocates the virtues of composure, patience, integrity, modesty, control, perseverance, tolerance determination, confidence – for a few to cite. This poem is the like a rule book to perfect the art of living and being human.
What are the values represented in the poem If?
Answer. Answer: Some of the moral values Rudyard Kipling recommends in "If—" are calmness, stoicism, self-confidence, tolerance, patience, honesty, modesty, courage, tenacity, and industry. I hope it will help you.
What is the central idea of the poem If I return this time?
Answer: Change in attitude and behavior - The poet wants to change his attitude and behavior in the next life. He wants to be considerate, kind-hearted loving and sensitive. ... To sum up the poem one should try to live peacefully avoiding quarrel.
What is the message conveyed in the last stanza of the poem If?
Answer. Answer: The final verse asserts: that a person should be able to address and converse with large groups of people and still hold on to his integrity. a man should be able to talk with royalty or nobility and keep from growing arrogant or staying true to himself.
What life lessons are we taught in the poem If?
Answer: Kipling emphasizes that it is important to dream and have an imagination, but control of one's imagination is necessary, as well, for one must be realistic: If you can dream--and not make dreams your master... ...things you gave your life .
When was "if" written?
A summary of a much-loved poem. Since Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If—’ was first published in Kipling’s volume of short stories and poems, Rewards and Fairies, in 1910, it has become one of Kipling’s best-known poems, and was even voted the UK’s favourite poem of all time in a poll of 1995. Why is ‘If—’ so highly regarded?
Why did Jameson want to rouse the British expatriates living in the Transvaal?
Jameson intended to rouse the British expatriates living in the Transvaal to rise up against the Boer government, but his fellow Brits showed no inclination to revolt. Instead, Jameson’s bungled military action helped to create the climate that would lead to the Second Boer War a few years later.
Where is the mantra "If" inscribed?
An extract from ‘If—’ is inscribed above the tennis players’ entrance at Wimbledon. Image: Rudyard Kipling in 1899 by Philip Burne-Jones; Wikimedia Commons.
What is Rudyard Kipling's literary context?
Literary Context. Rudyard Kipling was one of the most popular British writers of the late Victorian and early Edwardian periods— that is, the turn of the 20th century . He published "If—" in his 1910 book Rewards and Fairies, a work that demonstrated his mastery of both prose and verse.
What does "if" mean in the poem?
This means never letting "Triumph" nor "Disaster"—event s either good or bad—go to one’s head.
What is the goalpost in the poem "Manhood"?
The whole poem is built around a set of goalposts, standards of good behavior that a boy has to achieve in order to become a "Man." Manhood isn't inborn or natural, the poem suggests, but a state one achieves through self-sufficiency, self-mastery, and stability.
What is masculinity in the poem?
Masculinity, the poem insists, is a demanding goal that one must strive for, and the few who achieve virtuous manhood enjoy a rock-solid sense of self. To be a capital-M "Man," in this speaker's view, is a virtue, an achievement, and its own reward.
What does the speaker say about his son?
The poem's speaker advises his son to live with restraint, moderation, and composure. The son should always keep his wits about him, the speaker says, never overreacting; he should learn to be confident without being vain, accept hardships without dwelling on them, and behave with dignity.
Who wrote the poem "If"?
A LitCharts expert can help. A LitCharts expert can help. Rudyard Kipling, one of the most famous poets of the late British Empire, published "If—" in his 1910 book Rewards and Fairies. The poem's speaker advises his son to live with restraint, moderation, and composure.
What was Jameson's failure?
But Jameson's failure is actually a perfect illustration of the speaker's belief in the importance of composure, confidence, and perseverance: after his failed raid, Jameson went on to a successful political career. The poem was published in 1910, a period of relative peace in Britain.
What is the meaning of "if" in Kipling's analysis?
If Rudyard Kipling Analysis | Stanzas, Themes and Literary Devices. If Rudyard Kipling Analysis: ‘If’ is a poem by Rudyard Kipling that is considered by many to be one of the most inspirational poems written. It was first published in 1910 and is one that has held the attention of people to date. In fact, it is interesting to know ...
What does Kipling talk about in this stanza?
But that is only after we are presented with more scenarios and lessons that are essential. In simple words, Kipling talks about humility. Even if one is to walk among kings, their treatment of all humanity should never differ. There should be no space for discrimination but only kindness and respect for all people. Kipling then talks about how one must not be swayed by people around – be int friend or foe. The reader is told not to dwell on the disappointment, pain, or hurt that can be caused by enemies or loved ones alike. As mentioned even in the previous stanzas, the reader is encouraged to move on.
What does Kipling say about sixty seconds?
Those sixty-seconds too must be worth something and not be wasted. Then, to bring this marvellous and inspiring poem to a close, Kipling comes to the last two lines. Saying that if the reader does all that was entreated, he would be a man with the entire world at his fingertips.
What literary device does Kipling use in his poem?
Kipling also uses various literary devices in this poem. The ones we will look at are repetition, enjambment and caesura, though there are more than he uses in this poem. Caesura is basically when a poet puts a pause in the middle of a line. This is seen very clearly in stanza two, and it makes its mark.
What is the theme of Kipling's "If all is lost"?
The next few lines are said to be very powerful in what they entreat the reader to do. The reader is entreated to endure and persevere even if it feels as if it is impossible – both emotionally (heart and nerve) and physically (sinew). Kipling capitalises the word ‘Will’ here talking about how powerful it is. He talks about the resilience humans have and how far they can go just on will-power.
What is the theme of "If Rudyard Kipling"?
If Rudyard Kipling Analysis Themes and Literary Devices. Kipling has portrayed themes of success and defeat along with a strong theme of masculinity that is very clear from the last two lines talking about a ‘Man.’. The poem speaks of various things that the reader must do and become in order to be a Man. The attributes given are masculine in ...
What does Kipling say about the reader?
He says that the reader should not be too caught up with either of those. Kipling, in the last few lines, brings a harsh truth and reality to the reader. Often, people’s honest words can be twisted and perverted for the gain of those who desire harm. The reader must be ready to face such things.
What is the tone of "If" by Rudyard Kipling?
A father, who is the narrator of the poem, is explaining different personality traits to his son to adapt them in order to be a good and humble man. The father advises his son in a fatherly but friendly way. The tone is rather unemotional but caring.
Who inspired Rudyard Kipling to write the poem "The Son"?
Rudyard Kipling took inspiration from the life of Leander Starr Jameson for writing this poem. Jameson was a British colonial and later on the 10th Prime Minister of Cape Colony.
What is the meaning of "if"?
Capitalization. Alliteration. Assonance. Meter. Rhyme scheme. The poem “If” is a masterpiece written by a British Poet Rudyard Kipling in 1895. It was first published in 1910 in the chapter “Brother Square Toes” of the book “Rewards and Fairies” which is a collection of Rudyard Kipling’s poetry and short-story fiction.
Why is the word "if" repeated in a poem?
The word “If” is repeated at the beginning of almost every line of the poem to build a conditional clause and guide the reader that “if” he does something, what will happen as a consequence.
What is the father's advice to his son?
The son is advised by his father to avoid extremes. The father advises his son to be a modest person so that it would be easy to walk with kings and keep in touch with common people. He is also advised neither to be too good nor to be hateful but to keep a balance.
What is the meaning of the poem "The Father"?
It is written in iambic pentameter. This poem is about a father addressing his son to have faith in himself. The father reveals the secret to his son to become a better human being. He motivates him to adopt certain traits in order to succeed in life.
What is the genre of "if"?
Genre. The poem “If” is a dramatic monologue where the narrator speaks continuously, providing guidance and advice to the reader. The narrator, being a father, addresses his son and guides him how to become a perfect man. The narrator, while advising his son, is not interrupted by any other person.
What is the meaning of "if-" in Kipling's poem?
The virtues expressed in "If-" are devoid of showiness or glamour; it is notable that Kipling says nothing of heroic deeds or great wealth or fame.
What is Kipling's most famous poem?
This is, without a doubt, Kipling's most beloved poem, and, along with "The White Man's Burden", his most famous. Although T.S. Eliot would deem it only "great verse" and others "jingoistic nonsense," it is consistently ranked among the highest, if not the highest itself, of Britons' favorite poems. It was first published in the "Brother ...
What is the poem "Brother Square Toes" about?
Summary. The poem is a paean to British stoicism and masculine rectitude; almost every line in each stanza begins with "If". It is subtitled "'Brother Square-Toes' – Rewards and Fairies".
Summary
Themes
- In ‘If—,’ Kipling engages with themes of masculinity and success/defeat. The first of these is incredibly central to the poem. From the speaker’s point of view, there are very specific things the young listener has to do to become a man. The speaker celebrates attributes that are traditionally masculine, like strength, while also, in a contemporary setting, raising questions in regard to wha…
Structure and Form
- Rudyard Kipling separates his poem into four stanzas of equal length, all of which contain eight lines. Each stanza has a set rhyme scheme of ababcdcd, with the exception of the first stanza, which has the following rhymescheme: aaaabcbc. In terms of meter, the poem is written in iambic pentameter, with five feet consisting of an unstressed and then a stressed syllable. The speaker …
Literary Devices
- Kipling makes use of several literary devices in ‘If—.’ These include but are not limited to repetition, anaphora, enjambment, and caesura. The latter is a formaldevice that occurs when the poet inserts a pause into the middle of a line. This might be done with punctuation or with the meter. For example, lines one and two of the second stanza read: Just glancing at the poem, the reade…
Historical Context
- ‘If—’ was written in 1895 and first published in 1910 in “Brother Square Toes,” a chapter of Rewards and Fairies. Today, the poem’s philosophical outlook is considered to be one of the best examples of Victorian stoicism. It provides traditional advice about how to live a good life with the understanding that one has to make the most of every minute they have. It requires self …
About Rudyard Kipling
- Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India, in December of 1865. As a boy, he took pleasure in the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Wilkie Collins. He was around eleven years old when he first started writing.Kipling’s best-known work, The Jungle Book, was published in the late 1890s. Kipling’s life took a tragic turn in the 1930s with the death of his second child. After developing a…
Background of The Poem
- The poem “If” is a masterpiece written by a British Poet Rudyard Kipling in 1895. It was first published in 1910 in the chapter “Brother Square Toes” of the book “Rewards and Fairies” which is a collection of Rudyard Kipling’s poetry and short-story fiction. The poem is an inspirational one written in second-person narrative. The narrator directly addresses his reader throughout the po…
If by Rudyard Kipling Summary
- Stanza I: Lines 1-8
The poem begins with the narrator, being a father, addressing his son saying that he should keep calm in the situation of crisis when all the others around him are panicking and blaming him. He should trust himself when all the people around him discourage him. Though he has confidence … - Stanza II: Lines 9-16
The narrator continues advising his son that it is good to dream high, have ambitions and goals but he must not allow his dreams to rule him. He should not lose connection with reality. If he thinks about his future and plans for it, he should not just sit and keep thinking. He needs to act …
Themes in The Poem
- Stoicism
It is the endurance of pain and hardships without any complaint. The narrator advises his son not to complain about his loss in front of people rather be strong and self-sufficient. No matter how harsh the situation may be, the son is advised to stay stiff-necked and brave. - Advice and Guidance
The poem is an advice and a guidance that a father gives to his son. The father wants his son to become a better human being and achieve success in life. In order to become a noble and successful man in life, the son is told to act upon the advice his father gives him and to avoid th…
If by Rudyard Kipling Analysis
- The poem is a motivational one in the form of a dramatic monologue. A father, who is the narrator of the poem, is explaining different personality traits to his son to adapt them in order to be a good and humble man. The father advises his son in a fatherly but friendly way. The tone is rather unemotional but caring. The poem consists of four octav...