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Wa0037

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12 views2 pages

Wa0037

Course

Uploaded by

Arun Krishna
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lecture Note: “If—” by Rudyard Kipling

Introduction

-Author: Rudyard Kipling, a British author and poet, known for his works that
reflect the values and ethos of the British Empire.

- Poem Overview: “If—” is a didactic poem that offers advice on how to live a
virtuous and successful life. It is structured as a series of conditional
statements that outline the qualities of an ideal person.

Structure and Form

- Form: The poem consists of four stanzas, each with eight lines.

- Rhyme Scheme: The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a
rhythmic and balanced flow.

- Meter: The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which is common in


English poetry and contributes to its formal tone.

Summary and Analysis

1. First Stanza:

- Content: The speaker advises maintaining composure and self-


confidence, even when others are panicking or doubting you.

- Key Lines: “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing
theirs and blaming it on you.”

- Themes: Composure, self-trust, and patience.

2. Second Stanza:

- Content: The speaker emphasizes the importance of dreaming and


thinking, but warns against being dominated by dreams or thoughts. It also
advises treating success and failure equally.

- Key Lines: “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those
two impostors just the same.”

- Themes: Balance, resilience, and equanimity.


3. Third Stanza:

- Content: The speaker talks about rebuilding from failures and taking risks
without complaining about losses.

- Key Lines: “If you can make one heap of all your winnings / And risk it on
one turn of pitch-and-toss.”

- Themes: Courage, perseverance, and stoicism.

4. Fourth Stanza:

- Content: The speaker advises maintaining humility and integrity,


regardless of social status, and making the most of every moment.

- Key Lines: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute / With sixty seconds’
worth of distance run.”

- Themes: Humility, integrity, and the value of time.

Themes and Lessons

1. Stoicism: The poem reflects stoic philosophy, advocating for emotional


resilience and rationality.

2. Virtue and Manhood: It outlines the qualities that define true manhood,
according to Kipling, such as patience, honesty, and perseverance.

3. Balance and Moderation: The poem emphasizes the importance of balance


in life, whether in emotions, actions, or reactions to success and failure.

Literary Devices

- Repetition: The repeated use of “If you can” at the beginning of each
conditional clause reinforces the poem’s instructional tone.

- Personification: Triumph and Disaster are personified as “impostors,”


highlighting their deceptive nature.

- Imagery: Vivid imagery is used to illustrate abstract concepts, making them


more relatable and impactful.

Kipling’s Message: Through “If—,” Kipling provides a blueprint for personal


conduct and character, encouraging readers to strive for these ideals to
achieve a fulfilling and honorable life.

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