The purpose of the poem "If—" by Rudyard Kipling is to impart wisdom about how to live up to the ideals of manhood. The speaker lists a number of conditionals, saying that "if" the listener does these things, they will live a fulfilling existence.
What is the poem If by Rudyard Kipling about?
The poem is a parental guide by Kipling for his son teaching him about what it means to be a true and grown man. He reveals that a true man is not swayed by others but holds on his true values. " If " is the most celebrated poem by Rudyard Kipling.
What is the meaning of the poem If?
The poem IF is written from a father to a son, but it means something to everyone who reads it. It was published in 1895, but time hasn’t changed its meaning. This poem is immortal and applicable to everyone, which is why it is so special. It's a guidebook, basically. A guidebook to life.
What happens at the end of the poem If?
The poem ends on a particularly high note, which Kipling emphasizes with his use of an exclamation point. The third and fourth lines present the next “if” situation. Kipling writes, “If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too […]”
What is the “if” clause in the poem If?
Kipling continues right on to his next “if” clause: The speaker informs the reader that he or she must be able to endure hearing his or her words being twisted by dishonest and harmful people in order to serve their own agendas. He continues this thought in the last two lines of the stanza, writing:
What is the form of the if clauses in the second stanza?
Who wrote "If"?
What if Kipling wrote?
How many lines are in Rudyard Kipling's poem?
How old was Rudyard Kipling when he started writing?
What does Kipling say about the if-then scenario?
What does Kipling say about trusting yourself?
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What does the title of the poem If suggest?
The poem is titled as “if” because at first the poet tells us about the moral values and at the end the poet tells about the outcomes. So, all the lines in the poem begin with if and this is the conditional clause. That is why the poem is titled as “if”.
What does the poem If talks about?
Rudyard Kipling's poem 'If' focuses on developing inter-personal skills. In the poem, the poet talks of how to deal with people in different situations in life in order to achieve success and more so to be a good human being.
What lesson do we learn from the poem?
Although we commit mistakes and face failures there is always a hope for a next chance in our lives. We must have a strong desire to try and make our life and our world better.
What life lessons can you get from the poem If?
Be honest to yourself and in what you do. Without integrity and character, we can never achieve our true potential. Kipling also advises us to stay humble in all that we do and “never breathe a word about your loss.” He also mentions that it is best not to deal in lies and give way to hate.
Who is being addressed in the poem If?
In Rudyard Kipling's piece of didactic poetry “If,” he is speaking to his only son, John. In the poem, he addresses his son as “you,” while he provides instruction on becoming a man of virtue. He teaches his son how to act in a variety of situations, and how to treat people from all walks of life.
Why did Kipling write If?
In his posthumously published autobiography, Something of Myself (1937), Kipling said that, in writing the poem, he was inspired by the character of Leander Starr Jameson, leader of the failed Jameson Raid against the South African Republic to overthrow the Boer government of Paul Kruger.
What is the meaning of If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you?
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you, If all men count with you, but none too much . . . ... The line "if all men count with you, but none too much" means you should respect other people (they should "count with you") but not depend on any one person too much: you should trust yourself first. heart outlined.
What is the mood of the poem If?
Answer and Explanation: The mood of the poem "If-", written by English poet Rudyard Kipling, is energetic, upbeat, and positive.
A Short Analysis of Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If—’ – Interesting ...
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…
If— Poem Summary and Analysis | LitCharts
1 If you can keep your head when all about you. 2 Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;. 3 If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,. 4 But make allowance for their doubting too:. 5 If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,. 6 Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,. 7 Or being hated don’t give way to hating,. 8 And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If by Rudyard Kipling - Poetry.com
If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too: If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or being hated don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;
If Poem By Rudyard Kipling Summary & Line By Line Explanation In ...
If Poem by Rudyard Kipling Summary & Line by Line Explanation in English • The poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling is a bundle of suggestions from father to his son. In the poem, the poet tells his son how to cope with different situations in the life ahead. The poem is divided into four stanzas having eight lines each. The rhyme scheme of the poem is ABAB.
What Is the Theme of the Poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling? - Reference.com
The theme of Rudyard Kipling's poem "If" revolves around the coming of age of his son and the poem lists different virtues that would help his child become a man. The last line of the poem directly refers to the son, which makes it sound far more personal than it was at the beginning.
Why is the word "if" repeated in the beginning of every line of the 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 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.
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.
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 does the narrator say about his son?
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 in himself and his decision, he should also listen to the opinions people give him.
Why is second person important in a poem?
Second-person point of view is used in the poem in order to make a direct connection with the reader. The poem is a list of advice that a father gives to his son so it makes the reader able to put himself in the position of the son. Second-person narrative is also important in a sense that it creates an interest in the mind of the reader to listen to the advice and act upon them. While reading the poem, a reader feels it as a direct address to him.
What is the narrator's advice to his son in Stanza II?
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.
What is the purpose of the poem "If"?
The purpose of the poem "If—" by Rudyard Kipling is to impart wisdom about how to live up to the ideals of manhood. The speaker lists a number of conditionals, saying that "if" the listener does these things, they will live a fulfilling existence. Embedded in these conditionals is a variety of values, indirectly telling ...
What is the purpose of Kipling's poem?
Kipling wrote the poem as if it were talking to his son. He gives advice to help the young man to find his place in the world and to live with integrity and dignity. The speaker talks to the person in second person. This encourages the reader to place himself in the place of the son.
What is the purpose of "if" by Rudyard Kipling?
The purpose of If by Rudyard Kipling is to give advice to a boy on how to be a man. He is defining what it means to be a real man, someone who doesn't blame others for mistakes, listens to both sides of an issue, takes risks and accepts losses. He is saying if you can do all these things such as "keep your head," "trust yourself," "meet ...
What is the meaning of the values of Kipling?
These values, referred to throughout Kipling's work, are a sort of neo-Stoicism, in which men were expected to bear hardship with courage, and to always strive towards and defend ideals, even in defense of lost causes.
What does Shakespeare say about fate?
Shakespeare said: “We are the masters of our fate…” This verse reinforces this idea. Dream and ponder life. However, always be in control. Nothing should ever control you.
Is life always easy?
Life is not always easy. When you have done something really well and it is broken beyond your control, you must begin again using whatever means that you can find.
What is the meaning of "if/then" in the poem?
The entire poem is an "if/then" statement. The speaker is trying to instill ideals that a boy must attain to in order to become an honorable, successful man. "If" is continually repeated because...
Who wrote the poem "If"?
The famous poem "If—" by Rudyard Kipling was ostensibly written by the poet to his son John, but the tone of the poem is that of an authority figure in general instructing a person or persons under... Latest answer posted August 6, 2019 1:32 am UTC. 3 educator answers. If—.
What is a detailed summary of the poem "If—" by Rudyard Kipling?
In this poem, Kipling's speaker outlines for his son the behaviors and attitudes it takes to become a man—in this case, a gentleman in British society . It is good to keep in mind, however, a...
Why did Rudyard Kipling write "If"?
Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem “If” to give his son direction on how to become a respectable man. He advises his son to stay calm in the face of adversity, to be truthful, self-righteous, and...
What does Kipling say about being a man?
As Rudyard Kipling portrays in his poem "If," there are many qualities that go into being a "man." In the first stanza of his poem, Kipling says that a man needs to be able to "keep (his) head...
What is the meaning of the third stanza of "If you can make"?
Rudyard Kipling's poem titled "If--" is a list of conditionals expressing ways to behave in order to be the best possible human being, a real "Man, my son!". For example, using the collective "you,"...
What is the meaning of "if" in Rudyard Kipling's poem?
Please write a summary of the poem "If—" by Rudyard Kipling. The poem is a father defining for his son the qualities of a good man.. He is setting the parameters or boundaries for his son and giving him a goal to achieve. The poem deals with life’s... Latest answer posted June 29, 2011 6:21 am UTC.
What if in the first stanza?
In the first stanza of ‘What If,’ the speaker begins by listing out a number of statements beginning with the word “If.” Each of these ends without the second half of the clause. This is an effective technique that encourages the reader to move on to the second stanza in order to find out what the “if” concludes with.
What is the most important device in poetry?
Imagery is one of the most important devices that a poet can utilize. Without successful imagery , a poem will fall flat and leave the reader without a meaningful experience. For example, line five of the first stanza reads: “If you can await the warm delights of summer”. This is a great example in that it requires the reader to utilize multiple senses in order to envision it adequately.
What if the speaker goes on to put together several more “if” statements?
These bring in government officials, war, imposters, “good race relations.” In this stanza, the poet puts these things forward, all of which are very relatable to the contemporary world and the work that good people try to put into motion, only to have it stymied by “bad policing” and “dis-united nations.” Once again, these “if” statements are building up to something, but it’s not yet clear what that is.
What does the speaker allude to in the last couplet?
There is very physical darkness in these lines as well, especially in the last couplet in which the speaker alludes to impure drinking water, something that is a genuine health concern in countries around the world.
What is the meaning of "if" in the poem?
The poem serves as a parental guide for his son. The speaker of the poem is teaching his son to stay true to his values no matter what the world might say about him. The speaker asks his son to trust himself even when no one does.
What does Kipling teach his son?
The poem is a parental guide by Kipling for his son teaching him about what it means to be a true and grown man. He reveals that a true man is not swayed by others but holds on his true values.
Who wrote the poem "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same"?
Rudyard Kipling was an English poet who lived from 1865-1936. He also wrote many children's stories. The poem's line, "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same," is written on the wall of the players' entrance at Wimbledon.
What is the meaning of "live a life by these words of wisdom"?
To live a life by these words of wisdom would be a life well lived.
What did Kipling do when he failed the physical?
When he failed the physical, Kipling used his connections to get him in, only to watch him die in the battle for Loos leaving him awash in guilt. His life was one replete with trials, hardships, and sorrows, which one could never fault anyone for crumbling beneath, but time and time again he overcame.
What is the meaning of "When all men doubt you but make allowance for their doubting too"?
A poem and guide to life that has and always will stand the test of time. Because there will always be parents telling their children this poem, showing them life is not always easy, but saying choose your path and never doubt yourself "When all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too.".
What does "if you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken" mean?
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken. 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.
What does "and lose and start again at your beginnings" mean?
And lose, and start again at your beginnings, And never breathe a word about your loss: If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew. To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you.
Is "if" a benchmark poem?
I totally agree "If" is a benchmark poem. A poem and guide to life that has and always will stand the test of time. Because there will always be parents telling their children this poem, showing them life is not always easy, but saying choose your path and never doubt yourself "When all men doubt you, but make allowance for their doubting too."
What is the form of the if clauses in the second stanza?
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 stanza, where the lines build upon the previous lines. Kipling writes,
Who wrote "If"?
If— by Rudyard Kipling. Many people consider ‘If—’ to be one of the most inspirational poems ever written. It is certainly a poem that has garnered a great deal of attention in popular culture. In fact, any lover of tennis can probably tell you that several of the lines of ‘ If—’ are hanging in the player’s entrance at Centre Court Wimbledon in ...
What if Kipling wrote?
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 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. The poem ends on a particularly high note, which Kipling emphasizes with his use of an exclamation point.
How many lines are in Rudyard Kipling's poem?
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.
How old was Rudyard Kipling when he started writing?
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.
What does Kipling say about the if-then scenario?
Kipling leaves the “then” until the final two lines, revealing to the reader that if he or she is able to do all that was just mentioned, he or she will not only have the world at his or her fingertips, but he or she will also be a “Man.”.
What does Kipling say about trusting yourself?
Kipling writes, “If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too […]” Here, the speaker emphasizes two traits that all people must possess: self-trust and the ability to understand the thoughts and feelings of others, even if that means understanding that people will not always like or agree with you. The final four lines of the first stanza flow together nicely, almost sounding as though they are one complete thought. Kipling writes:
Background of The Poem
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 octaves, all of them provide guidance and ad…