If (Rudyard Kipling)

 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”