IF
WRITTEN BY RUDYARD KIPLING
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‘IF’ – Poem by RUDYARD KIPLING Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If’, his most famous poem, is addressed to his son John. It was first published in 1910. It is about characteristics essential to the ideal man. Stanza: 1 ‘If you can keep your head when all about you--------- And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;’ Here the poet speaks about the need for self confidence. ‘Don't doubt yourself; don't hate other people; be honest, confident and patient’. ‘Keep your head’ means ‘be cool, calm and quiet’. You must be calm while others around you become upset. They may say you are the cause of their worry. Believe in yourself when all others doubt you. Be kind enough to accept their doubts. Never get tired of waiting. Others may tell you lie; they may tell lies about you. But you must be always truthful. Never hate anybody even if others hate you. Avoid looking ‘too good’ and talking ‘too wise.always be humble with others.
APPRECIATION OF THE POEM
IF is one of the famous poem of Rudyard Kipling.The Poem is a series of advice, given to a son by his
father. Theme: The theme is character formation. Father advises son how to behave in life situations. Thoughts in the Poem: Success comes from self-control. We must also know the true value of things. Doubts and opposition should not discourage a man. He must know that neither triumph nor disaster is final. Self confidence, truthfulness, love, humility, readiness to work hard, self-control, tolerance, patience, spirit of adventure, willingness to take risks, willpower, ability to mix with all kinds of people, balance of mind, awareness of the value of time-these are the virtues a man should develop in life. Father tells son, ‘If you do so, the world is yours; moreover, you will be a Man’.
Language: The poem is written in simple language in four stanzas.
Figures of Speech: Personification: Dream, triumph and disaster are personified. Dream is like a person who controls man. Triumph and disaster are imposters (വേഷം മാറി വഞ്ചിക്കുന്നവർ).
Mood: The mood of the poem is didactic (നിർദ്ദേശം നൽകുന്ന). It gives advice.
Message: The message of the poem is self-discipline.
Annotations & Answers:
1. ‘If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same:’
Answer: These are the most famous lines in the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling. Triumph and disaster are only imposters- They will cheat and mislead us. You will experience success and failure in your life, but don’t take them seriously. Triumph and disaster are personified.
2. ‘'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"
Answer: These lines are from Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem ‘If’. The poet says a man must have a spirit of adventure and self control. ‘Pitch-and-toss’ is a gambling game. The players may either win or lose. Risk and loss are part of life. A man must have the courage to give up everything in life for a higher aim. If he loses, the only thing to do is start again. But never discuss the loss with anyone. We must forget the loss and move on. In the modern times, ‘never discuss the loss with anyone’ is not a good idea. Others cannot learn from our mistakes.
3. ‘Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And − which is more − you’ll be a Man, my son!’
Answer: These are the closing lines of Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem ‘If’. The poet advises his son how to behave in different situations in life. If he can do all those things, the world will accept him. It is the reward of following the advice. But being an ideal person is more important. That’s why the poet uses the phrase ‘which is more’.
