What is the meaning of the poem If by Rudyard Kipling?
The poem “If” is a paean to British masculine rectitude and stoicism. The poem is structured in such a way that almost every line of every stanza of the poem starts with the word ‘If’. The poet is addressing his son in the poem, shedding light on his beliefs and conveying those to his son. What is the moral lesson of the poem If by Rudyard Kipling?
When did Kipling write if—?
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?
Who is the speaker in if— by Rudyard Kipling?
"If—" never directly reveals its speaker's identity, but many people read the poem as if it's addressed to Rudyard Kipling's son, John.
What does Kipling mean by “if” scenario?
In this first “if” scenario, Kipling reminds the reader of the importance of maintaining a level head even when those around the reader do not have one and are blaming the situation on the reader. It should be noted here that the reader soon realizes the poem is really one long sentence.
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What is the form of the poem If?
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 rhyme scheme: aaaabcbc.
What is the structure of the text in the poem If by Rudyard Kipling?
Form: The poem is divided into four stanzas of eight lines, the stanzas seem to come in "units" of two lines each, showing balance. This poem is considered to be a Didactic poem. The Didactic poem comes from the Greek word didaskein (which means "to teach.").
What is the theme of poem If?
The overarching theme of the poem If is successful, virtuous living based on values pertaining to integrity, rightful behavior, and self-development. The poem speaks to every reader on what it means to become a complete man and how he operates through the thick and thins of life.
Is If by Rudyard Kipling a didactic poem?
The poem “If” is a didactic poem wriiten by Rudyard Kipling. It is a well-known poem. It gives sound advice to young people for a successful life. It is considered as the most beloved poem of Kipling.
What is the figure of speech used in the poem If?
Answer. Answer: Figure of speech of if poem are alliteration, inversion.
What literary devices are used in the poem If?
Figure of Speech / Poetic Devices in the poem IF by Rudyard...Metaphor. Metaphors are implied comparison between two different things where there is a point of similarity.Personification. Personification is attributing human characteristics to non-human objects.Anaphora.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem If?
The rhyme scheme of the poem IF by Rudyard Kipling is a-b-a-b-c-d-c-d. Examining the rhyme and the meter, one can see that it is written in iambic pentameter, that is usually made use of by William Shakespeare.
Is If by Rudyard Kipling a dramatic monologue?
The poem “If” is a dramatic monologue where the narrator speaks continuously, providing guidance and advice to the reader.
What kind of poem is If '? 1 point?
Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" is considered a Didactic poem. The Didactic poem comes from the Greek word didaskein (which means "to teach."). Poems of this type are meant to teach the reader about something very specific (life, love, decisions, etc.).
What is the imagery of the poem If by Rudyard Kipling?
I found some imagery used by Kipling in the poem. Imagery uses figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way that it appeals to our physical sense. By using this imagery the reader could feel as if they are tired of waiting and that Kipling wanted the readers to actually feel tired.
What is the rhyme scheme of the poem If?
The rhyme scheme of the poem IF by Rudyard Kipling is a-b-a-b-c-d-c-d. Examining the rhyme and the meter, one can see that it is written in iambic pentameter, that is usually made use of by William Shakespeare.
What is the analysis of the poem If by Rudyard Kipling?
Composure and Self-Restraint. The speaker of "If—" champions a morality built on moderation. In this poem, he advises his son to move through life with composure, and to always exercise self-control, integrity, and humility. This means never letting "Triumph" nor "Disaster"—events either good or bad—go to one's head.
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 is the theme of the poem the toys?
Patmore's “The Toys” taps on several themes. The most important themes of this piece are the father-son relationship and worldliness. It also explores the themes of childishness, commiseration, craving, the benevolence of God, and forgiveness.
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.
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 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 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 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 "if" mean in the poem?
This means never letting "Triumph" nor "Disaster"—event s either good or bad—go to one’s head.
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.
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 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 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 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 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 is the meaning of "if" by Rudyard Kipling?
Share Link. The poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling is a lyric poem. Lyric poetry is defined as poetry which emphasizes musical qualities and encompasses a "spontaneous overflow of emotions.". This poem emphasizes musical qualities by its use of rhyme in the format A-B-A-B-C-D-C-D for each eight-line stanza. As well as the line-end rhymes, there is ...
What is the repetition of the words in Kipling's poem?
Kipling also uses repetition of the words "dream" and "dreams" as well as "think" and "thoughts" in the first two lines of the second stanza. Changing the words from their verb to their plural noun forms creates a repetitive association in the reader's mind. As for the "overflow of emotions," this poem drives home its emotional message in its final ...
What is Kipling's fourth stanza about?
For example, the fourth stanza advises the ability to “walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch” and to allow “all men count with you, but none too much.”. This is used by Kipling to show the complexity of virtuous behavior.The language in the poem is informal, or colloquial.
When the flush of a newborn sun fell first on Eden's green and gold, Our father Adam sat
When the flush of a newborn sun fell first on Eden's green and gold, Our father Adam sat under the Tree and scratched with a stick in the mold; And the first rude sketch that the world had seen was joy to his mighty heart, Till the Devil whispered behind the leaves: "It's pretty, but is it Art?" Wherefore he called to his wife and fled to fashion his work anew— The first of his race who cared a fig for the first, most dread review; And he left his lore to the use of his sons—and that was a glorious gain When the Devil chuckled: "Is it Art?" in the ear of the branded Cain. They builded a tower to shiver the sky and wrench the stars apart, Till the Devil grunted behind the bricks: "It's striking, but is it Art?" The stone was dropped by the quarry-side, and the idle derrick swung, While each man talked of the aims of art, and each in an alien tongue. They fought and they talked in the north and the south, they talked and they fought in the west, Till the waters rose on the jabbering land, and the poor Red Clay had rest— Had rest till the dank blank-canvas dawn when the dove was preened to start, And the Devil bubbled below the keel: "It's human, but is it Art?" The tale is old as the Eden Tree—as new as the new-cut tooth— For each man knows ere his lip-thatch grows he is master of Art and Truth; And each man hears as the twilight nears, to the beat of his dying heart, The Devil drum on the darkened pane: "You did it, but was it Art?" We have learned to whittle the Eden Tree to the shape of a surplice-peg, We have learned to bottle our parents twain in the yolk of an addled egg, We know that the tail must wag the dog, as the horse is drawn by the cart; But the Devil whoops, as he whooped of old: "It's clever, but is it Art?" When the flicker of London's sun falls faint on the club-room's green and gold, The sons of Adam sit them down and scratch with their pens in the mold— They scratch with their pens in the mold of their graves, and the ink and the anguish start When the Devil mutters behind the leaves: "It's pretty, but is it art?" Now, if we could win to the Eden Tree where the four great rivers flow, And the wreath of Eve is red on the turf as she left it long ago, And if we could come when the sentry slept, and softly scurry through, By the favor of God we might know as much—as our father Adam knew.
What does the Spirit grip him by?
The Spirit gripped him by the hair, and sun by sun they fell Till they came to the belt of Naughty Stars that rim the mouth of Hell. The first are red with pride and wrath, the next are white with pain, But the third are black with clinkered sin that cannot burn again.
What does "twist by knaves" mean?
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build ’em up with wornout tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings. And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings. And never breathe a word about your loss;
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?
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 does "twisted by knaves" mean?
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools: If you can make one heap of all your winnings. And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings. And never breathe a word about your loss;
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 …
Analysis of If—
- First Stanza
The first stanza wastes no time in setting up the if-then scenario. Kipling writes, “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you…” In this first “if” scenario, Kipling reminds the reader of the importance of maintaining a level head even when those aroun… - Second Stanza
The “if” clauses continue into the second stanza, but they are structured differently. In the first stanza, the “if” clauses were grouped in lines of two, with the exception of the final four lines. In the second stanza, the form of the first two “if” clauses is similar to the second half of the first st…
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...