Analysis of 'If-' by Rudyard Kipling

Summary

This analysis of Rudyard Kipling's poem *If* delves into its themes of resilience, patience, and virtuous living. The speaker, offering fatherly advice, emphasizes emotional control, persistence, and balance in life. By using literary devices like anaphora, synecdoche, and personification, Kipling illustrates how maintaining composure during triumph and disaster, acting with integrity, and handling setbacks with resilience can lead to success. The poem’s didactic tone and structure reinforce these lessons, encouraging the reader to live a balanced, virtuous life to achieve greatness and fulfill their potential.

Takeaways

• 😀 The poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling is a father’s advice to his son on how to live a virtuous and balanced life.
• 😀 The poem uses conditionals to emphasize that one's behavior has consequences, and these actions should be wise and composed.
• 😀 Repetition of 'if' creates emphasis on the actions and qualities the son should cultivate.
• 😀 The poem encourages resilience in the face of both success and failure, calling triumph and disaster 'imposters'.
• 😀 The use of synecdoche, such as 'head' for composure, highlights the importance of emotional control.
• 😀 The persona speaks with imperatives ('don’t deal in lies', 'don’t hate') to stress essential behaviors to avoid, such as arrogance and negativity.
• 😀 The metaphor of building with 'worn-out tools' illustrates the idea of resilience and human potential even when exhausted.
• 😀 The poem uses personification of 'willpower' to suggest that inner strength can guide actions even in the hardest moments.
• 😀 The poem uses gambling imagery to highlight life's risks, urging persistence and not complaining in the face of loss.
• 😀 The final lines present the ultimate reward: if the son follows this advice, he will not only gain success but will become a 'man' in a moral sense.
• 😀 The tone of the poem is both didactic and optimistic, as Kipling encourages his son (and the reader) to maintain composure, patience, and persistence in all situations.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of Kipling's poem *If*?

The main purpose of Kipling's poem *If* is to provide advice on how to live a virtuous, balanced life. The poem offers guidance on patience, resilience, self-control, and how to face both success and failure with composure.

What literary device does Kipling use repeatedly at the beginning of each line, and what is its purpose?

Kipling uses anaphora, specifically the repetition of 'If you can,' at the beginning of each line. This device emphasizes the conditional nature of the advice, highlighting the importance of personal choice and behavior in shaping one's life.

What is the significance of the phrase 'keep your head when all about you are losing theirs'?

The phrase emphasizes the importance of maintaining composure and calm in stressful or chaotic situations. It suggests that staying composed in the face of adversity is a crucial aspect of personal strength.

What is meant by the personification of triumph and disaster as 'impostors'?

By calling triumph and disaster 'impostors,' Kipling suggests that both are fleeting and deceptive. They may appear important, but they do not define a person's life in the long term. Life is a balance of highs and lows, and neither should be overly celebrated or feared.

How does Kipling use metaphors to convey resilience?

Kipling uses metaphors such as 'stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools' to convey the idea that even in times of exhaustion or failure, one can still rebuild and persevere. The metaphor of 'worn-out tools' reflects human limitations, but also the potential to recover and continue working towards one's goals.

What does Kipling mean by advising his son not to 'look too good nor talk too wise'?

Kipling is advising against arrogance or superiority. He encourages humility, suggesting that one should avoid appearing too self-righteous or overly wise, as it may alienate others or create unrealistic expectations.

What is the significance of the line 'if you can fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds' worth of distance run'?

This line emphasizes the importance of using time wisely and making the most of every moment. It conveys the idea of persistence and efficiency, encouraging the reader to dedicate full effort to each minute, no matter how difficult.

What role does the concept of balance play in the poem?

Balance is a central theme in *If*. Kipling advises his son to strike a balance between various aspects of life—such as ambition and humility, thinking and acting, triumph and disaster—suggesting that a well-balanced approach leads to a successful and virtuous life.

How does Kipling use imperatives in the poem, and what is their effect?

Kipling uses imperatives like 'don't deal in lies' and 'don't look too good' to provide strong, direct guidance. The use of these commands creates a didactic tone, reinforcing the idea that these are crucial behaviors to avoid in order to lead a virtuous life.

What does the phrase 'you'll be a man, my son' signify at the end of the poem?

The phrase 'you'll be a man, my son' signifies the ultimate reward for following the advice in the poem—becoming a fully realized and virtuous individual. It suggests that maturity and personal growth are achieved through practicing patience, resilience, and integrity.