If poem by Rudyard Kipling

This blog is a part of my Bachelor of Arts syllabus, as we are preparing our Digital Portfolio. We are all tasked with writing blogs on the literary works we have studied.

If

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 you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

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

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;

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

Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

"IF" by Rudyard Kipling is a powerful poem that offers a guide to living a virtuous and resilient life. Let's analyze its themes, structure, language, and overall message:

Themes:

1. Resilience and Stoicism: The poem emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure and resilience in the face of adversity. It encourages the reader to keep a level head and persevere, regardless of the challenges they may encounter.

2. Self-Trust and Integrity: Kipling stresses the significance of trusting oneself and maintaining integrity in one's actions, even when faced with doubt and criticism from others.

3. Humility and Balance: The poem advocates for humility and balance in all aspects of life. It warns against arrogance and excessive pride, while also cautioning against becoming too consumed by worldly success or failure.

4. Endurance and Perseverance: Throughout the poem, there is a recurring theme of endurance and perseverance. Kipling urges the reader to endure hardships, learn from failures, and continue striving towards their goals.

Structure:

1. Repetition and Parallelism: The poem is structured around a series of "If...then..." statements, each presenting a hypothetical scenario followed by a recommended course of action. This repetition creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the poem's moral lessons.

2. Rhyme Scheme: "IF" follows a regular AABBCC rhyme scheme, contributing to its musicality and memorability.

Language and Imagery:

1. Symbolism: The poem employs symbolic language to convey its messages. For example, "Triumph and Disaster" are personified as "impostors," highlighting the transient and deceptive nature of success and failure.

2. Metaphor: Kipling uses metaphors such as "heart and nerve and sinew" to represent inner strength and determination. These metaphors evoke vivid imagery and emphasize the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles.

3. Alliteration and Assonance: The poem contains instances of alliteration and assonance, which add to its lyrical quality and make it more engaging to read aloud.

Overall Message:

"IF" delivers a timeless message of resilience, integrity, and humility. Through its structured format, vivid imagery, and moral guidance, the poem serves as a blueprint for living a virtuous and fulfilling life. Kipling's words inspire readers to face adversity with courage, maintain integrity in their actions, and strive for personal growth and self-improvement. Ultimately, the poem celebrates the qualities of character and strength of will that define true greatness.

Thank you so much for reading this blog.