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karruu
karruu
Student
High School - 9th Grade

Explain the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling.

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Posted by karruu on Thursday August 20, 2009 at 3:14 AM and tagged with explanation, if, poetry, rudyard kipling, theme.

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  1. mrsenglish
    mrsenglish Teacher
    High School - 12th Grade

    eNotes Editor

         If by Rudyard Kipling is a poem which offers instruction in leadership skills.  It is written in iambic pentameter, and is broken up into four stanzas with a rhyme scheme of abab cd cd.  In the poem, the speaker suggests certain qualities that the speaker of the poem should emulate.  The speaker not only points out the specific qualities, but also provides examples of each kind of behavior. 

         The speaker also warns the audience of possible obstacles, or the danger of taking some qualities to the extreme.  For example, "If you can dream- and not make dreams your master" suggests that these traits must be acquired, but not practiced in excess.  In this same line, it is also implied that doing is better than dreaming.  One must not only dream, but act as well.

        The last line reveals what acquiring all of these qualities will achieve.  The audience can achieve manhood.  This suggests that the poem is intended solely for boys.  The poem was written in the late 1800's and most likely reflects the popular notion of the time that men were leaders and women were not.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/if

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    Posted by mrsenglish on Thursday August 20, 2009 at 7:47 AM


  2. brandih

    eNotes Editor

    Please see the link below for another previous answer.

    Sources:
    http://www.enotes.com/if/q-and-a/please-give-detailed-exp...

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    Posted by brandih on Thursday August 20, 2009 at 10:16 AM