Introduction: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
“If” by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1910 in the collection “Rewards and Fairies,” is a timeless masterpiece that explores the qualities of virtue, morality, and masculinity, offering guidance on how to live a fulfilling life. Written in the context of Kipling’s own experiences as a father, the poem presents a series of conditional statements that outline the characteristics and behaviors necessary for achieving success, balance, and wisdom. Through its enduring themes and elegant language, “If” has become a beloved and influential work, widely studied and admired for its profound insights into the human condition.
Text: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
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:
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:
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!’
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!
Annotations: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
| Stanza | Annotation |
| 1 | The poem begins by describing the qualities of self-discipline and humility. It emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s head in difficult situations and trusting oneself despite others’ doubts. |
| 2 | This stanza highlights the need for balance and perspective. It warns against becoming too focused on one’s goals and ambitions, and encourages the reader to stay grounded and humble. |
| 3 | The third stanza discusses the importance of resilience and perseverance. It encourages the reader to take risks, face challenges, and learn from failures. |
| 4 | This stanza emphasizes the importance of integrity and character. It warns against becoming too proud or arrogant, and encourages the reader to stay true to themselves and their values. |
| 5 | The final stanza offers a conclusion and a promise. It suggests that if the reader can cultivate these qualities, they will be rewarded with a sense of purpose, direction, and fulfillment, and will become a person of great character and integrity. |
Literary and Poetic Devices: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
| Device | Definition | Example from the poem |
| 1. Alliteration | Repetition of initial consonant sounds | “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;” |
| 2. Anaphora | Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses | “If you can… If you can… If you can…” |
| 3. Aphorism | A short, witty statement or phrase | “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;” |
| 4. Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds | “meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same;” |
| 5. Enjambment | A sentence or phrase continuing into the next line without punctuation | “If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; / If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;” |
| 6. Epistrophe | Repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses | “you’ll be a Man, my son / you’ll be a Man, my son” |
| 7. Hyperbole | An exaggeration used for emphasis | “If you can walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch;” |
| 8. Imagery | Language that creates vivid mental images | “If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;” |
| 9. Irony | A contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs | “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same;” |
| 10. Juxtaposition | Placing two or more elements or ideas side by side | “Triumph and Disaster” |
| 11. Metaphor | A comparison between two unlike things | “If you can make one heap of all your winnings / And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss;” |
| 12. Meter | A regular pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables | The entire poem follows a consistent meter. |
| 13. Onomatopoeia | Words that imitate the sounds they describe | None in this poem. |
| 14. Oxymoron | A combination of two words that are opposite in meaning | “two impostors” (referring to Triumph and Disaster) |
| 15. Personification | Attributing human qualities to non-human entities | “Triumph and Disaster” (treated as if they were people) |
| 16. Repetition | Repeating a word or phrase for emphasis | “If you can…” |
| 17. Rhyme | Similar sounds in two or more words | The entire poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme. |
| 18. Simile | A comparison between two unlike things using “like” or “as” | None in this poem. |
| 19. Symbolism | Using an object, color, or other element to represent an abstract idea | “the Game” (representing life) |
| 20. Understatement | A statement that is less strong or emphatic than what is actually meant | “And treat those two impostors just the same;” (downplaying the significance of Triumph and Disaster) |
Themes: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
- Theme 1: Perseverance and Resilience
The poem emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity. Kipling urges the reader to “meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same” (lines 11-12), suggesting that one should remain steadfast and unwavering in the face of both success and failure. He also advises the reader to “hold on when there is nothing in you / Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!'” (lines 25-26), highlighting the need to dig deep and find the strength to carry on even when all seems lost. - Theme 2: Humility and Modesty
The poem stresses the importance of humility and modesty, warning against the dangers of pride and arrogance. Kipling writes, “If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, / Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch” (lines 13-14), emphasizing the need to remain grounded and humble even in the midst of great success or privilege. He also advises the reader to “not make dreams your master” (line 5), suggesting that one should not become too full of oneself or one’s accomplishments. - Theme 3: Self-Discipline and Self-Control
The poem highlights the importance of self-discipline and self-control in achieving one’s goals and living a virtuous life. Kipling urges the reader to “dream—and not make dreams your master” (line 5), “think—and not make thoughts your aim” (line 6), and “trust yourself when all men doubt you” (line 17), emphasizing the need to cultivate self-awareness, self-regulation, and self-motivation. He also advises the reader to “wait and not be tired by waiting” (line 21), suggesting that patience and perseverance are essential virtues. - Theme 4: Moral Integrity and Character
The poem emphasizes the importance of moral integrity and character, urging the reader to cultivate a strong sense of right and wrong and to act in accordance with one’s values and principles. Kipling writes, “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you” (lines 1-2), suggesting that one should remain true to oneself and one’s values even in the face of adversity or criticism. He also advises the reader to “not deal in lies” (line 23) and to “not give way to hating” (line 27), emphasizing the need to act with honesty, compassion, and integrity.
Literary Theories and “If” by Rudyard Kipling
| Literary Theory | Application to “If” | Example from the Poem |
| Imperialism and Colonialism | The poem reinforces imperialist and colonialist ideologies, promoting the idea of British superiority and the need for others to adopt British values. | “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” (lines 21-23) |
| Patriarchy and Gender Roles | The poem reinforces traditional gender roles, addressing a male audience and emphasizing masculine virtues like strength, courage, and self-control. | “If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; / If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim” (lines 5-6) |
| Class and Social Status | The poem reinforces class divisions, addressing a privileged audience and emphasizing the need to maintain social status and reputation. | “If you can walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch” (line 14) |
| Psychoanalytic Theory | The poem explores the tension between the conscious and unconscious mind, urging the reader to control their desires and impulses. | “If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too” (lines 17-18) |
| Marxist Theory | The poem reinforces capitalist ideologies, emphasizing individual achievement and wealth accumulation. | “If you can make one heap of all your winnings / And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss” (lines 9-10) |
| Postcolonialism | The poem can be seen as a product of colonialist ideology, reinforcing dominant power structures and cultural norms. | “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same” (lines 11-12) |
| Feminist Theory | The poem reinforces gender stereotypes and patriarchal values, marginalizing women and feminine perspectives. | (No explicit examples, but the poem’s masculine address and emphasis on traditional masculine virtues can be seen as reinforcing patriarchal norms) |
Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements: “If” by Rudyard Kipling
| Topic | Question | Thesis Statement |
| Perseverance and Resilience | How does the poem encourage readers to develop perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity? | “Through its use of imagery, metaphor, and repetition, the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience, urging readers to ‘hold on’ and ‘wait’ even in the most challenging situations.” |
| The Dangers of Pride and Arrogance | How does the poem warn against the dangers of pride and arrogance, and what consequences do these traits lead to? | “In ‘If’, Kipling warns that pride and arrogance can lead to downfall, using imagery and irony to illustrate the consequences of allowing these traits to govern one’s actions, and instead advocates for humility and modesty.” |
| The Importance of Self-Discipline | How does the poem promote self-discipline as a key to achieving success and living a virtuous life? | “Through its use of conditional statements and imperatives, ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, encouraging readers to ‘dream’ and ‘think’ but not be mastered by their desires and thoughts, and to cultivate self-control in order to achieve their goals.” |
| The Value of Moral Integrity | How does the poem emphasize the importance of moral integrity and character, and what are the consequences of compromising one’s values? | “In ‘If’, Kipling stresses the importance of moral integrity, urging readers to ‘keep their head’ and ‘not give way to hating’, and warning that compromising one’s values can lead to loss of identity and purpose, emphasizing the need to act with honesty, compassion, and integrity.” |
Short Questions/Answers about “If” by Rudyard Kipling
- How does the poem handle success and failure?
- The poem treats triumph and disaster as “impostors” (success shouldn’t inflate your ego, and failure shouldn’t crush you). Lines like “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same” emphasize keeping a level head through both good and bad times.
- What does the speaker value in terms of communication?
- The ability to connect with different audiences is important. “If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, / Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch” suggests one should be able to communicate effectively with both the powerful and ordinary people.
- What are some important traits for maintaining self-control?
- The poem emphasizes patience, composure, and keeping a clear head. Lines like “If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, / Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies” advise the reader to be patient and maintain honesty even when provoked.
- What is the ultimate reward for following the advice in the poem?
- The speaker suggests that by following these principles, you can claim the whole world as yours. “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!” implies that mastering these qualities leads to a fulfilling life and self-mastery.
Literary Works Similar to “If” by Rudyard Kipling
- “Mandalay”: This is a poem by Kipling that is focused on the European colonial project, similar to “If”. This poem is also a didactic poem, which means that it is intended to teach the reader something.
- “The White Man’s Burden”: This is another poem by Kipling that is focused on the European colonial project. This poem is also a didactic poem, which means that it is intended to teach the reader something.
- Jungle Book: This is a collection of stories by Kipling that is set in India and the jungle. This collection of stories is focused on the European colonial project, similar to “If”. This collection of stories is also a didactic work, which means that it is intended to teach the reader something.
- What I Think of South Africa; Its People and Its Politics: This is a non-fiction work by Stuart C. Cumberland that is focused on the European colonial project, similar to “If”. This work is also a didactic work, which means that it is intended to teach the reader something.
- The Life of Jameson: This is a non-fiction work by Ian Colvin that is focused on the European colonial project, similar to “If”. This work is also a didactic work, which means that it is intended to teach the reader something.
Suggested Readings for Further Analysis of “If” by Rudyard Kipling
- Orwell, George. Rudyard Kipling. University of Adelaide Library, 2012.
- Kipling, Rudyard. The Works of Rudyard Kipling. Wordsworth Editions, 1994.
- Memon, M., F. Tunio, and M. Awan. “Stylistic analysis of the poem ‘if’by Rudyard Kipling.” International Journal of English Research 7.2 (2021): 35-37.
- Saad, Ahmed, Amira Hasan, and Mona Lisa Sarbini. “A Critical Stylistic Analysis of the Ideological Positioning in Rudyard Kipling’s Poem,” If”.” Technium Soc. Sci. J. 20 (2021): 926.
- Al-Janabi, Suadad Fadhil Kadhum, and Nawar Hussein Rdhaiwi Al-Marsumi. “Doing Stylistic versus Critical Stylistic: An Analysis of” If” by Rudyard Kipling.” Arab World English Journal 12.1 (2021): 239-252.
- https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/rudyard-kipling
- https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/rudyard-kipling
Representative Quotes from “If” by Rudyard Kipling
| Quote | Context | Theorization |
| “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you” | The poem begins by emphasizing the importance of remaining calm and composed in the face of chaos and criticism. | Kipling is highlighting the value of emotional intelligence and resilience in the face of adversity. |
| “If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, / But make allowance for their doubting too” | The poem encourages self-trust and confidence, while also acknowledging the validity of others’ doubts. | Kipling is promoting a balance between self-assurance and empathy, recognizing that others’ perspectives have value. |
| “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster / And treat those two impostors just the same” | The poem advises treating both success and failure with equanimity, recognizing that they are both fleeting and deceptive. | Kipling is advocating for a Stoic approach to life, where one is not overly attached to external outcomes. |
| “If you can fill the unforgiving minute / With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run” | The poem urges the reader to make the most of their time, using every moment to its fullest potential. | Kipling is emphasizing the importance of productivity, efficiency, and living in the present moment. |
| “Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, / And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!” | The poem concludes by promising that if one can achieve these virtues, they will be rewarded with a sense of ownership and mastery over the world, and ultimately, become a true adult. | Kipling is suggesting that by living up to these ideals, one can attain a sense of purpose, responsibility, and maturity. |
