Discussion Topic
The meaning and significance of the line "not make dreams your master" in Kipling's poem "If—"
Summary:
The line "not make dreams your master" in Kipling's poem "If—" advises maintaining a balance between ambition and pragmatism. While dreams and aspirations are important, one should not be controlled or consumed by them. Instead, it's crucial to stay grounded and act with wisdom and practicality in the pursuit of goals.
What does the line "not make dreams your master" suggest in Kipling's poem "If"?
"If," by Rudyard Kipling, is regarded as his most famous poem. The poem is, essentially, an informative poem. Kipling's poem is meant to teach readers how to be good leaders. Kipling, instead of making a list of the characteristics of good leaders, offers readers examples of what good leaders do.
That said, the poem does offer suggestions about how to be a good leader. One example of this is found in lines nine and ten of stanza two.
If you can dream---and not make dreams your master;
If you can think---and not make thoughts your aim.
Therefore, in these lines, Kipling is suggesting that dreams must never remain dreams. Instead, one must be sure to take their dreams and turn them into realities. By allowing dreams to remain dreams, one can never achieve anything. Dreams are essentially defined as something which one constructs in their mind--either consciously or unconsciously....
Unlock This Answer Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
Without allowing dreams to become a reality, by acting on them, they simply remain something which exists in the brain. If "we" allow dreams to master us, nothing will ever come to fruition. Instead, "we" only continue to dream about our dreams.
How does the poem "If—" suggest people make their dreams their master?
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can dream and make use of your dreams, then it is good to dream, but if all you do is dream, and nothing ever comes of your dreams, then you have allowed your dreams to master you or control you. Some people only dream. They never work hard to make their dreams come true. They allow their dreams to consume them. Dreaming becomes a way of life, but their dreams never come true. That is when the dream is the master. The dream is in control.
It is the same way with thoughts. Some people think on thoughts and spend their life in a day dream, thinking on thoughts that never bring about results.
Truly, some people dream too much. All they do is dream. They start working on one dream, and, before they can make it come true, they are dreaming again, and then working on that dream. Unfortunately, they never make any dream become a reality.
When you have a dream, you have to set goals to make that dream come true. If all you ever do is dream, none of your dreams will ever come to past. You will spend all your time dreaming with no manifestation of your dreams. Ultimately, too much time is wasted dreaming. That is when dreaming has become a negative factor in your life. The dream has become master over you.