Zoey RentzProfessor WilliamsNovember 3 2012Critique of the poem “If”The poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling is about growing up, morals, and becoming a man. The author illustrates certain characteristics that a leader should have. The poem introduces tribulations that a person may go through and the decisions that should be made: how to value things, and have self-control. The poem ends with saying “Yours if the Earth and everything that’s in it, and-which is more-you’ll be a man my son.” The decisions that are made by a person can lead to great power and one may emerge a leader. This poem is a stanza piece. It has some rhyming as well. The author continues to build suspense until that tension is relieved with the last few lines. The writing style is interesting as it is somewhat paradoxical. Two individual ideas are combined and contradict each other. Those contradicting ideas, when combined, getthe authors point across. This writing style is throughout the whole poem. Mostly the author gives direction to choose the righteous path. There is a danger when choosing one extreme verses the other. Sometimes though the author simply gives his advise. Example in line eight the author writes “And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise.” Ultimately if the reader follows the author’s suggestions they will theoretically “own the world.”“If you can dream-and not make dreams your master.” This line is very meaningful. The author implies that you shouldn’t be blinded by what you want. Have dreams, and strive for them but don’t let those dreams consume you. I can relate to this line in the poem. I know what it’s like to have a dream and all you wantis to do is fulfill that dream. You only care about that dream and neglect other parts of your life. The author is giving a warning about doing this though; possibly because once you reach that dream you no longer have anything; no one to share that dream with. Dream but also be realistic. Once you reach the end of the poem the author relieves the built up tension with the following lines “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!” The last line shows that this is a father writing this poem to his son. He is passing his knowledge of life to his next generation. It showsthe reader that the poem is written to a younger child. The word “If” is repeated over and over again throughout the poem. This repetition reminds the reader that being rewarded in life you must work hard. Capitalizing the words “Triumph” and “Disaster” in the second stanza uses personification. They are referred to as imposters in the next line. Triumph implies a constant success while disaster implies a permanent failure. Metaphors are used in the poem as well. For example, “walk with kings” means to associate or socialize with important people. “Talk with crowds” is to be around all types of people. Theword crowd is also a symbol representing the common people. In contrast the word king symbolizes the important people. In this poem there is truth, wisdom, and motivational words. The tone of the poem is soft spoken. The author’s words are gentile and kind. The words ensile confidence since it seems that the author is speaking from an admirable place. The poem makes you think about learning new things and having new experiences. The poem not only gives advise for the future but it reminds you of your past as well.If you can keep your head when all about youAre 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 DisasterAnd treat those two impostors just the same:.If you can bear to hear the truth you've spokenTwisted 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 winningsAnd 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 sinewTo serve your turn long after they are gone,And so hold on when there is nothing in youExcept 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 minuteWith 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! Rudyard
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