An unyielding human being has the courage and defiance to not let society misinterpret their attributes.
That human being has to be forbearing, trustworthy and forthright, especially when faced with opposition
and peer pressure. Even if they're misunderstood or experiencing public pressure, it wouldn't stop them from
confronting society. Rudyard Kipling's didactic poem, If, portrays a set of virtues which are necessary for an
ideal human being. The poet's specific use of diction, tone, and repetition conveys an idealized ethical and
moral behavior that a human being, in this case, the speaker's son needs to hold.
To begin with, Kipling uses the words “you” and “their” rather than more specific names. This word choice
raises the question: Who is the speaker talking about? The speaker says, “If you can keep your head when
all about you, are losing theirs and blaming it on you” (1-2). He/she illustrates the practice of being self-
confidence and that the reader must have the confidence to face disagreement and negativity. This suggests
that the speaker is giving someone advice. The speaker goes on to say, “If you can trust yourself when all
men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too;” (2-4). Only a human being knows their truth,
society cannot decide on their behalf. However, if they're totally against society's opinions, the should listen
to what they have to say, and respect their words. The speaker is exhorting the readers to both ignore doubts
and make allowance for their doubts. This stanza provides instructions for the reader to be in their moral
behaviors in the face of immorality.
Using a persuasive tone in the second stanza, Kipling creates an empowering atmosphere. He states, “If
you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;” (9-
10). People are the masters of their own soul and dreams, so only they have the ability to control those
things. Their dreams shouldn't propel them to where they have to be. They are the ones who should lead
their hopes and dreams. In the second sentence, the speaker is trying to convey that a person's thoughts
shouldn't determine what they have to do. They can let go of some thoughts and they can keep some. Thus, a
human being should be capable of controlling themselves and not let anything else influence their decisions.
Continuing with the second stanza, the speaker goes on to say,
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;” (11-12).
The speaker uses the words “Triumph and Disaster” to resemble the ups and downs of a human's life. A
person should not be haughty during a victory and loathsome during a loss. They should treat those things
the same way because they are both part of an experience and a person should learn from their experience.
Therefore, instead of having different reactions in those two situations, people should focus on dealing with
them. The poet chose the word “imposters” because usually someone that pretends eventually gets caught.
Similarly, neither “Triumph” or “Disaster” are constants of a human being's life, they are just two of the
extremes.
The speaker begins the third stanza by saying,
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; (17-20)
At this point, the speaker is telling his beloved son that he should not be afraid of being challenged and
losing everything on the way. People should take risks and not be afraid of the consequences. If they lose,
they should never speak of it and just restart everything with what they have left in them. At the end, it's all
about being able to hold on and persevere. The poet chooses to close the poem by writing, “ 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!” (30-32). The father, as known as the speaker, is passing down his knowledge and wisdom
to his precious son. People need to live every minute of their life to the fullest and not waste time always
depending on others. They should not let anyone hurt them because only they know who they are and what
they stand for. The word “If” is repeated throughout the entire poem is to emphasize that a person needs to
work hard to receive the rewards of life.
Rudyard Kipling uses his marvelous literature skills to make sure that his readers are able to distinguish
between being righteous and being unethical. The readers of this poem are left with insensible care for the
speaker’s son and hopes he grows strong under such influential guidance, as they do themselves. The
readers are led to understand that a virtuous human being keeps their eyes on the goal and does not get
distracted by unimportant things. They are able to see the real value of things and appreciate those things at
the same time.
That human being has to be forbearing, trustworthy and forthright, especially when faced with opposition
and peer pressure. Even if they're misunderstood or experiencing public pressure, it wouldn't stop them from
confronting society. Rudyard Kipling's didactic poem, If, portrays a set of virtues which are necessary for an
ideal human being. The poet's specific use of diction, tone, and repetition conveys an idealized ethical and
moral behavior that a human being, in this case, the speaker's son needs to hold.
To begin with, Kipling uses the words “you” and “their” rather than more specific names. This word choice
raises the question: Who is the speaker talking about? The speaker says, “If you can keep your head when
all about you, are losing theirs and blaming it on you” (1-2). He/she illustrates the practice of being self-
confidence and that the reader must have the confidence to face disagreement and negativity. This suggests
that the speaker is giving someone advice. The speaker goes on to say, “If you can trust yourself when all
men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too;” (2-4). Only a human being knows their truth,
society cannot decide on their behalf. However, if they're totally against society's opinions, the should listen
to what they have to say, and respect their words. The speaker is exhorting the readers to both ignore doubts
and make allowance for their doubts. This stanza provides instructions for the reader to be in their moral
behaviors in the face of immorality.
Using a persuasive tone in the second stanza, Kipling creates an empowering atmosphere. He states, “If
you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;” (9-
10). People are the masters of their own soul and dreams, so only they have the ability to control those
things. Their dreams shouldn't propel them to where they have to be. They are the ones who should lead
their hopes and dreams. In the second sentence, the speaker is trying to convey that a person's thoughts
shouldn't determine what they have to do. They can let go of some thoughts and they can keep some. Thus, a
human being should be capable of controlling themselves and not let anything else influence their decisions.
Continuing with the second stanza, the speaker goes on to say,
“If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;” (11-12).
The speaker uses the words “Triumph and Disaster” to resemble the ups and downs of a human's life. A
person should not be haughty during a victory and loathsome during a loss. They should treat those things
the same way because they are both part of an experience and a person should learn from their experience.
Therefore, instead of having different reactions in those two situations, people should focus on dealing with
them. The poet chose the word “imposters” because usually someone that pretends eventually gets caught.
Similarly, neither “Triumph” or “Disaster” are constants of a human being's life, they are just two of the
extremes.
The speaker begins the third stanza by saying,
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; (17-20)
At this point, the speaker is telling his beloved son that he should not be afraid of being challenged and
losing everything on the way. People should take risks and not be afraid of the consequences. If they lose,
they should never speak of it and just restart everything with what they have left in them. At the end, it's all
about being able to hold on and persevere. The poet chooses to close the poem by writing, “ 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!” (30-32). The father, as known as the speaker, is passing down his knowledge and wisdom
to his precious son. People need to live every minute of their life to the fullest and not waste time always
depending on others. They should not let anyone hurt them because only they know who they are and what
they stand for. The word “If” is repeated throughout the entire poem is to emphasize that a person needs to
work hard to receive the rewards of life.
Rudyard Kipling uses his marvelous literature skills to make sure that his readers are able to distinguish
between being righteous and being unethical. The readers of this poem are left with insensible care for the
speaker’s son and hopes he grows strong under such influential guidance, as they do themselves. The
readers are led to understand that a virtuous human being keeps their eyes on the goal and does not get
distracted by unimportant things. They are able to see the real value of things and appreciate those things at
the same time.