If Group

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vishal234
vishal234
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Describe the obstacles that a leader has to face to become a Man in this hostile world of "If" by Rudyard Kipling.

THIS QUESTION IS FROM POEM IF AND I' M NOT GETTING THE ANSWER !

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Posted by vishal234 on Sunday June 14, 2009 at 8:10 PM and tagged with if, kipling, poem, themes/obstacles to success.

Answers:

  1. mwestwood
    mwestwood Teacher
    Community / Jr. College

    eNotes Editor

    Rudyard Kipling's "If" was originally written as a companion piece to a children's story entitled "Brother Square Toes" about George Washington's presidency during the French Revolution of 1789.  The story portrays the life of Washington as an exemplary public figure.  The poem "If" was placed after this story to extract the vital parts of the story's lessons.

    Praise of a strong work ethic prevails throughout the poem.  Another theme is that of detachment from material success as an ideal virtue.  A third theme is that of righteousness.  These themes are developed through the use of paradox.  For instance, righteousness without self-righteousness. detachment with determination, and high-breeding with commonality.  Since Kipling was raised in India, there seems to be an influence of the Buddhist concept of balance in this poem.

    The obstacles that one must overcome are those that come from imbalance:

    Stanza I

    • avoiding irrationality ("keep your head...")
    • avoiding doubt in oneself  ("trust yourself)
    • avoid impatience   ("wait and not be tired by waiting")
    • avoid petty behavior  ("don't deal in lies")
    • avoid immoderation    ("don't look too good...")

    Stanza II

    • avoid being unrealistic  ("not make dreams your master")
    • avoid procrastination ("not make thoughts your aim")
    • avoid overreacting  ("meet with triumph and disaster")
    • avoid weakness    (be able to withstand misfortune)

    Stanza III

    • avoid worry and fear ("risk...and lose and start again")
    • avoid being self-serving ("never breathe a word" about loss)
    • avoid quitting ("hold on when there is nothing in you)

    Stanza IV

    • avoid pride and arrogance ("keep virtue and common touch")
    • avoid dependency ("If all men count with you, but none too much")
    • avoid wasting time   ("If you can fill the unforgiving minute")
    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/if/themes

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    Posted by mwestwood on Sunday June 14, 2009 at 9:10 PM