Poem “IF”

  Poem “IF” by Rudyard Kipling: 

Paraphrasing of the poem, stanza by stanza (12th class)

Stanza 1:

"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:"

Paraphrase:
If you can stay calm and composed when everyone around you is panicking and blaming you, If you can trust

yourself even when others don’t believe in you, But still consider their doubts without being offended; If you

can remain patient without getting frustrated, Not respond to lies with lies, And avoid hating others, even

when they hate you, And yet, avoid acting superior or too wise in your own eyes:

Stanza 2:

"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:"

Paraphrase:
If you can dream without letting those dreams take over your life, and think without letting your thoughts

control you entirely, you show true balance. If you can face both success and failure with calmness,

treating them as temporary experiences rather than defining moments, you demonstrate great maturity.

Moreover, if you can endure seeing your words twisted by dishonest people to mislead others or watch

something you worked hard to build fall apart, yet still find the strength to start over and rebuild it from

scratch, even with limited tools, you possess remarkable resilience and determination.

Stanza. 3:

"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!’"

Paraphrase:
If you can take all your accomplishments and risk them on a single gamble, And lose everything,

but begin again without complaining about your loss, If you can push yourself to continue working

even when you feel physically and mentally exhausted, And keep going despite having no energy left,

except the willpower that pushes you to persevere:

Stanza 4:

"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!"

Paraphrase:
If you can interact with ordinary people while maintaining your values, And even associate with kings

without becoming arrogant, If neither enemies nor dear friends can harm you, If you treat everyone

equally but don’t depend too much on anyone, If you can make the most of every moment, using your

time wisely, then you will possess the world and everything in it, And most importantly, you will have

achieved true maturity and integrity.

Paraphrasing line by line

•If you can keep your head when all about you

Stay calm and composed when everyone around you is panicking or losing control.

•Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

Even when others are blaming their problems on you.

•If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

Believe in yourself even when others are skeptical of your abilities.

•But make allowance for their doubting too;

But also understand why they might have doubts about you.

•If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

If you can be patient and not grow weary from the wait,

•Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

If you are lied to, avoid lying in return,

•Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,

If others hate you, do not respond with hatred.

•And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

Maintain humility; don’t act superior or overly wise.

•If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can dream big but not let those dreams control your life;

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

If you can think critically but not become obsessed with your thoughts;

•If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

If you can face both success and failure,

•And treat those two impostors just the same;

And regard both as misleading experiences that don't define you;

•If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

If you can tolerate hearing your honest words

•Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Being misinterpreted by deceitful people to trick others,

•Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

Or witness the destruction of things you have dedicated your life to,

•And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

And yet be willing to lower yourself and rebuild them using whatever means you have

, even if they are inadequate.

•If you can make one heap of all your winnings

If you can take all your successes and put them on the line,

•And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And gamble everything on a single chance,

•And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And if you lose everything, be able to start over from scratch,

•And never breathe a word about your loss;

And do so without complaining or lamenting your loss;

•If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

If you can push your emotional and physical limits

•To serve your turn long after they are gone,

To keep going even when you feel exhausted and have nothing left,

•And so hold on when there is nothing in you

And continue to persevere when you feel drained and empty,

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

Except for the inner determination that tells you to keep pushing forward.

•If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

If you can engage with large groups of people while maintaining your moral integrity,

•Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,

Or interact with powerful figures without losing your connection to ordinary people,

•If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,

If you can remain unaffected by both enemies and close friends alike,

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

If people respect you, but you don’t depend on their opinions too heavily;

•If you can fill the unforgiving minute

If you can make the most of every moment,

•With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,

Using every second to achieve as much as possible,

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

Then you will have ownership over the world and all it contains,

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

And even more importantly, you will have become a true man, my son!

…………………………………………………

Answers Questions of the poem

1. what is the main theme of the poem?

The theme of "If—" revolves around the virtues and qualities essential for personal growth and maturity, emphasizing resilience, integrity, and the balance between self-confidence and humility. Kipling illustrates that navigating life's challenges with grace and strength defines true manhood, encouraging individuals to cultivate these traits in their journey toward becoming a well-rounded person.

2.Make a list of the the qualities of a perfect man as mentioned by the poet in stanza two of the poem.

In “If—,” Rudyard Kipling defines the perfect qualities of a man as resilience, integrity, and self-discipline. A true man is one who remains calm and composed under pressure, trusts himself despite others’ doubts, and maintains humility. He faces both success and failure with equal grace, treating them as temporary and not letting them define his worth. Additionally, the ideal man demonstrates emotional strength by resisting hatred and dishonesty while being willing to rebuild after setbacks. Ultimately, Kipling suggests that true maturity comes from mastering these virtues and using them to navigate life’s challenges.

3. Explain the line, "or walk with kings--nor lose thy common touch".

Together, the line conveys that true greatness is not just about achieving status or power, but also about retaining one's humility and ability to relate to others. A perfect man can navigate elite circles without becoming arrogant or detached from the realities of common life. This balance ensures that one remains relatable and grounded, embodying the values of integrity and respect for all individuals, regardless of their social standing.

4. Cite an example of use of personification in the poem "IF" ?

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

Analysis: The Earth is personified as something that can be owned or possessed. This reflects the culmination of the virtues and qualities described throughout the poem, emphasizing a sense of achievement and fulfillment.

5. What is the significance of the title of the "IF"

Focus on Personal Responsibility: The title underscores the theme of personal responsibility. It suggests that one's success or failure is largely determined by individual choices and attitudes. This reinforces the idea that one must actively engage with life's challenges to develop the qualities necessary for success. The title invites readers to consider the philosophical implications of "if." It encourages contemplation about life's uncertainties and the potential paths one might take. This element adds depth to the poem, transforming it from a mere set of instructions into a reflective exploration of human existence.

6. what does the poem say about the value of the time?

Kipling underscores the value of time as a crucial element in personal development and success. He emphasizes patience, the importance of taking action rather than just dreaming, and the consequences of one’s choices over time. By highlighting these themes, the poem encourages readers to appreciate and make the most of their time, suggesting that how one navigates the passage of time is integral to their character and achievements.

7. Explain the meaning of this line in your own words, "And - which is more - you 'll be a man, my son".

The phrase emphasizes that achieving true manhood is not merely about age or physical strength, but rather about embodying qualities such as resilience, integrity, humility, and emotional strength. The speaker presents these traits as essential components of becoming a well-rounded and honorable man. The line reflects a father's hopes and aspirations for his son. The speaker conveys a sense of pride and fulfillment in knowing that, if the son can navigate life's challenges with wisdom and composure, he will achieve not just manhood in the physical sense, but a deeper, moral maturity.

8. What is the rhyme scheme of this poem.

The rhyme scheme of this poem is ABABCDCD

9. State some qualities other than the ones mentioned in the poem "IF" that make a successful man.

These traits encompass emotional strength, resilience, and moral integrity. Here are the key qualities illustrated throughout the poem. The ability to keep calm and maintain one’s dignity, even when others around you are losing control. This reflects emotional stability and rational thinking. Believing in oneself while remaining humble and not being swayed by others' opinions or criticisms. This showcases a strong sense of self-worth. The capacity to endure hardships, setbacks, and failures without losing hope. A successful man learns from failures and continues to strive toward his goals.

……………………………….

Theme of the poem

The theme of "If—" revolves around the virtues and qualities essential for personal growth and maturity, emphasizing resilience, integrity, and the balance between self-confidence and humility. Kipling illustrates that navigating life's challenges with grace and strength defines true manhood, encouraging individuals to cultivate these traits in their journey toward becoming a well-rounded person.

Central idea/main idea of the poem

•The central idea of the poem is that true success and maturity come from embodying qualities such as emotional strength, moral integrity, and perseverance. Kipling presents a blueprint for achieving personal fulfillment, suggesting that the path to becoming an admirable individual lies in cultivating these virtues amidst life's challenges.

Summary of the “IF” poem

Rudyard Kipling's poem "If—" offers a series of life lessons and guidelines on how to navigate challenges, develop moral integrity, and achieve personal success. The speaker, addressing his son, outlines the qualities of a strong, mature individual. These include maintaining composure under pressure, being patient and resilient in the face of setbacks, remaining humble in both success and failure, and having the courage to pursue dreams while staying grounded. The poem emphasizes the importance of balancing self-confidence with humility, making wise decisions, and maintaining integrity throughout life. Ultimately, Kipling concludes that if one can master these qualities, they will achieve true manhood and success in life.

Literary Devices in the poem:

Rudyard Kipling’s poem "If—" employs several literary devices to convey its message effectively.

Here are some of the most prominent ones:

1. Anaphora

Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses.

In "If—," the word "If" is repeated at the start of several lines, creating a rhythmic structure and emphasizing the conditional nature of the advice:

• "If you can keep your head when all about you..."

• "If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you..."

2. Alliteration

Alliteration, the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words, enhances the musicality

of the poem:

• "Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies"
• Here, the repetition of the "l" sound in "lied" and "lies" and the repetition
• of the “d” sound in “don’t” and ‘deal” creates alliteration.

3. Antithesis

Antithesis is the juxtaposition of contrasting ideas in balanced phrases. Kipling uses this to show the duality of life experiences and how one must balance opposing forces:

• "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same."

• "If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, / Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch."

4. Paradox

A paradox is a statement that appears contradictory but reveals a deeper truth. In "If—," paradoxes

are used to highlight the complexities of life:

• "If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;"

• "If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim."

5. Personification

Kipling personifies abstract concepts such as "Triumph" and "Disaster" to give them human qualities:

• "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same." By calling them "impostors," Kipling suggests they are misleading and should not control one's emotions.

6. Metaphor

Metaphors are used to convey ideas in a more vivid and imaginative way:

• "If you can fill the unforgiving minute / With sixty seconds' worth of distance run"
  Here, life is metaphorically compared to a race, where every second counts and should be used wisely.

7. Repetition

Repetition of "If you can..." throughout the poem creates a sense of structure and rhythm, while also emphasizing the importance of the qualities mentioned in each line.

8. Enjambment

Enjambment occurs when a sentence or clause runs over from one line to the next without a pause.

This keeps the flow of thought continuous and adds to the poem's conversational tone:

• "If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you..."