Introduction: The poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling is a bundle of suggestions from a father (poet) to his son. In the poem, the poet expounds the virtues of stoicism and gentleman behaviour. In it, Kipling 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.’
Discussion:
The poet tells
his son that he should keep calm and patient when others fail and put the
blames on him. He should trust himself when all others doubt him. However, he
should also make a room for their doubts to creep in and try to understand what
made them doubt him. Then, the poet says that one should wait patiently for achieving
success and should never be tired by waiting because success comes to
those who work hard and remain patient. Next, the poet informs his son that
other people will often tell him lies. However, he should never lie in his life
and always remain truthful. He also advises his son not to hate others even though
they hate him. Instead, he has to spread love.
The poet at the
same time teaches the existential strategy of life by advising his son neither to
look too good, nor talk too wise He thinks that if the son acts upon all the
advises given by the poet, certainly his son will look too good and wise among
the common. The poet says that he should dream big but he should not make the
dreams to rule him like his master. Similarly, he should think about
his good future but never make thoughts his ‘aim’ because
in order to succeed in life one has to work hard. Mere dreaming and thinking
will never lead one to the path of success. Hence one should dream of goals and
think of a better future and at the same time should work hard to achieve them.
The poet says that
one should treat both “triumph and disaster” in the same vein because both
are “impostors” or fake, and they are not long-lasting. The poet also says that
if the son takes triumph as his destiny, he will face fall or if he takes disaster
as his fate, he will perish. The poet advises that one should speak only the
truth and should also have the courage to face it when it is misused by others.
One should also have the courage to see the things built by him even in his broken
condition and try to rebuild them with worn-out tools i.e. with the energy or
skills that he has.
The poet says that
one should make one heap of all the achievements that he has made and
then he should take big risks. If one fails after taking big risks, he should
start again from the beginning without thinking or saying anything about the
loss to others. One should try again and again until succeeded. The poet says
that one should use his “heart, nerve and sinew” i.e. courage when he
becomes tired to be succeeded. When nothing is left in life, one should have
strong “Will” power which may encourage him to “Hold on” his life on this
earth.
The poet also advises
that one must keep his common virtue intact if he happens to be with king or
common people. He should never take pride or ego if he is either rich or poor. Next, the poet warns his son saying that he should
allow neither his friends nor enemies to hurt him, because both of them do not
have any principles or ideals to hold on. He must understand that people often
remain dependent on him but he should never allow them to remain completely
dependent on him.
The poet says that one
should never give others too much importance or else he will get emotionally
attached to them which in turn will hurt him in the future. Next, the poet
talks about the importance of time. According to him,
time is precious and will never come back. Hence one should utilize every
second of life, usefully. Finally the poet tells his son if he acts upon all
the advice he has given above, he will be able to achieve whatever he likes and
he will be a “Man”, a human being.
Conclusion:
Thus, Rudyard
Kipling in “If” by giving advices enlightens his son. This has certainly become
a valuable philosophy of life for man need to adapt. If man adheres to the
above advices given by the poet to his son, as hoped by the poet not only his
son but also the people who follow his advices will turn into “Men”
