If— by Rudyard Kipling

• Rudyard Kipling, born in 1865 and died in 1936, was a celebrated English short story writer and poet, best known for The Jungle Book.
• He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907.
• Born in Bombay, India, where his father was a professor at the School of Art.
• He returned to Lahore at 16, where he became assistant editor of the 'Civil and Military Gazette'.
• Kipling's journalism exposed him to the lives of Britons and Indians living abroad.
• He later moved to London to write fiction, married, traveled to America, and settled in Devon, England.

Background

• The poem "If" was first published in 1910.
• It is addressed to Kipling's son, John, who died in 1915 during World War I.
• The poem was inspired by Leander Starr Jameson, a Scottish politician who sought to colonize Africa.
• Jameson led the Jameson Raid, an attempt to incite expatriate workers in South Africa against the ruling Boer population.
• The raid failed, and Jameson was imprisoned, though he was later hailed as a hero in England.
• Kipling admired Jameson's qualities, such as humility, stoicism, and lack of boastfulness.
• Cecil Rhodes, a British businessman and colonizer, introduced Kipling to Jameson.
• Kipling was a strong supporter of the British Empire.
• By 1922, the British Empire governed 458 million people.

Summary

• "If" is a father's advice to his son on how to become a great British man.

Analysis

• The poem is written in the second person, as if it were an instruction manual.

• The poem is an address from father to son John Kipling, but inspired by Leander Starr Jameson

• It is structured as a single long sentence that spans the entire poem, creating a sense of urgency and dynamism.

• The poem is didactic, aiming to instruct and educate the reader in the qualities of a British gentleman.

• It consists of four stanzas, each with eight lines, and follows an ABABCDCD rhyme scheme.

• The title of the poem, "If," establishes a conditional tone, posing a series of circumstances.

• The consequence of meeting those circumstances is revealed in the final line.

• The repetition of "If" at the beginning of many lines challenges the reader to consider whether they can meet the described conditions.

Stanza 1

• The poem begins with the calming metaphor of "keep your head," suggesting that real men maintain control and composure, especially when others are panicking.
• A real man trusts himself even when doubted by others, making allowances for their lack of understanding.
• It emphasizes patience, truthfulness, and avoidance of hatred, even when facing lies and animosity.
• A real man should not show off or try to impress others.
• This represents the "stiff upper lip" stereotype of the British gentleman, marked by stoicism and a lack of complaint.

Stanza 2

• It transitions to the importance of ambition, advising not to let dreams or thoughts become one's "master" or sole aim.
• Actions are considered more important than thoughts here.
• A real man meets triumph and disaster in the same manner, not being too affected by either.
• Success and failure are described as "imposters," with hidden drawbacks that temper excitement or disappointment.
• Determination is essential when one's words are twisted or one's life's work is destroyed.
• A real man should rebuild with "worn-out tools" if disaster strikes.
• The imagery is practical and masculine, focusing on making something.

Stanza 3

• The stanza explores risk-taking and daring behaviour.
• The first metaphor refers to gambling, describing a man willing to risk everything on a game of chance.
• A man should deal with loss without complaint, showing stoicism and a sense of proportion.
• It describes the qualities needed to face dangerous situations: emotional strength ("heart"), bravery ("nerve"), and physical power ("sinew").
• A real man persists due to his "Will" when others give up.

Stanza 4

• It discusses how a man should relate to others.
• A man must be able to speak to the masses without being influenced by their behaviour.
• A great man knows how to interact with kings while remaining grounded.
• A man should not be hurt by "foes nor loving friends," suggesting emotional detachment.
• Equal attention to all individuals, without favouritism, is advised.
• life is a brief and "unforgiving minute"
• A real man will make the most of his time on earth.
• By embodying these qualities, a man can "own the world" and achieve worldly success.
• Mastering the world is less important than becoming a "Man".
• The poem concludes with a personal touch, "my son!", emphasizing that it is fatherly advice.
• The exclamation mark conveys the father's emotion of triumph and excitement for his son's potential.