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The Title- As a word, If suggests the idea of conditional fulfillment, as reflected in the statement: If you work hard you will do well. That is exactly how the word is used in this poem. Fourteen Ifs begin the conditions that can make one the master of the Earth and a perfect Man. The assumption, of course, is that normally people are not like this, but if they try hard they can become so. Kipling could have called the poem The Perfect Man or Mastering the Earth but by choosing If he stresses the conditions, the difficulties in fulfilling them and not the achievement itself. This contributes to the didactic intent of the poem.
Main Theme- If, is a didactic poem, that is a poem meant to offer moral lessons. In it, the poet describes the traits of the perfect man. According to Kipling, if one intends to be a Man or the master of everything on the Earth, then he has to develop some virtues. They include patience, courage, modesty, honesty, self confidence, determination, self control and hard work. It is obvious that one person cannot have all these, but can at least aspire towards them.
The poet speaks directly to the readers addressing them as a son. If was written in 1895 when Kipling was 30 yrs old-old enough to be a father. Therefore, the poem is addressed to a 'son'. Thirty years of life, Kipling things has prepared him to understand what makes a perfect man and that is the knowledge he wants to offer his readers.
Kipling's Style- Kipling uses simple and colloquial language in his poem. He uses contrast to emphasis his ideas. This poem contains four stanzas, eight lines each. Its structure and rhythm are regular. Kipling follows the abab, cdcd rhyme scheme. The regularity and uniformity of the poem creates a disciplined atmosphere in the poem that the poet would want his readers to develop.
Interesting devices like metaphors, personification, symbolic senses and proverbial diction are used to help the young son/ readers understand clearly abstract ideals and virtues.
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What poet wrote The Answer?
Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem The Answer
Who can you write an anthropomorphism poem?
Lewis Carroll. Also, Rudyard Kipling.
How does Joseph Chamberlain speech differ from Rudyard Kipling's poem?
chamberlain's speech is addressed to a british audience, whereas kipling's poem is addressed to an american audience
What do Joseph Chamberlain's speech and Rudyard Kipling's poem have in common?
Both discuss the responsibilities and sacrifices of imperialism.
White mans burden was a poem written by Rudyard Kipling about?
The poem expressed how it's the white man's responsibility (burden) to civilize non-civilized/non-white people. The poem depicts these people (Natives, Cubans, Filipinos, Africans, etc) as "half devil and half child", which gives off the imagery for many that these people are not normal. Kipling believed that white men should be praised for this, and that's basically what the poem is about.
Is the poem 'If' by Rudyard Kipling a ballad?
No.
Whop wrote the poem If?
Rudyard Kipling
Who is being address in the poem IF by Rudyard Kipling?
The poem is a father speaking to his son.
Is the poem If by Rudyard Kipling a paradox?
No, the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling is not a paradox. It gives a series of advice and inspirational thoughts on how to navigate life's challenges with grace and integrity.
What well known poem by Rudyard Kipling has a two-letter word for its title?
"If" is a well-known poem by Rudyard Kipling with a two-letter word for its title.
What year was the poem if by Rudyard Kipling published?
The poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling was first published in 1910.
What year did Rudyard Kipling write the smugglers poem?
Rudyard Kipling wrote "The Smugglers" poem in 1896.
Who wrote the poem Snarleyow?
It was written by Rudyard Kipling.
What is the most popular poem of Rudyard Kipling?
Kim
What poet wrote The Answer?
Rudyard Kipling wrote the poem The Answer
Who said a women is only a women but a cigar is a good smoke?
Rudyard Kipling said it in Bachelor Ballads.
What tense is used in the poem if by Rudyard Kipling?
The poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling is written in the present tense. This helps to create a sense of immediacy and makes the advice in the poem feel more applicable to the reader's current situation.
