What did Kipling say about keeping your head?
Rudyard Kipling - 1865-1936 If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
Who is the author of the poem If?
Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) Kipling is said to have written the poem 'If' with Dr Leander Starr Jameson in mind, who led about five-hundred of his countrymen in a failed raid against the Boers, in southern Africa.
Why does my 11 year old son have a poem above his bed?
My son is now 11 and has this poem framed above his bed to serve as a reminder of the things I want for him and the admirable characteristics a person with integrity has. A dentist read me this poem today. I must say I was very impressed with the writer. I found this poem to be knowledgeable and interesting.
Why did Rudyard Kipling write the poem If?
" If— " is a poem by English Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936), written circa 1895 as a tribute to Leander Starr Jameson. It is a literary example of Victorian-era stoicism. The poem, first published in Rewards and Fairies (1910) following the story "Brother Square-Toes", is written in the form of paternal advice to the poet's son, John.
Who wrote If you can keep your head?
Quote by Rudyard Kipling: “If you can keep your head when all about you Ar...”
Who wrote the poem If?
Rudyard KiplingIf - / AuthorJoseph Rudyard Kipling was an English journalist, short-story writer, poet, and novelist. He was born in British India, which inspired much of his work. Kipling's works of fiction include the Jungle Book dilogy, Kim, the Just So Stories and many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King. Wikipedia
What is Rudyard Kipling most famous poem?
If—Joseph Rudyard Kipling is best known for his novels The Jungle Book, The Second Jungle Book, and Kim, and his most famous poem, "If—".
Who did Kipling write If for?
Dr Leander Starr JamesonKipling is said to have written the poem 'If' with Dr Leander Starr Jameson in mind, who led about five-hundred of his countrymen in a failed raid against the Boers, in southern Africa. The 'Jameson Raid' was later considered a major factor in starting the Boer War (1899-1902).
Why Rudyard Kipling wrote If?
Kipling wrote the poem after he was inspired by Leander Starr Jameson's actions, leader of the Jameson Raid, to overthrow the Boer Government of Paul Kruger. Although the raid failed, Kipling was still struck by his tenacity.
Who is the speaker of the poem If?
The speaker is the poet Rudyard Kipling itself and it is addressed to his son John.
Who is Rudyard Kipling compared?
Rudyard Kipling is often compared to Polish English author and writer Joseph Conrad. Both men made significant contributions to English literature during the course of their lifetimes. Both men have themes of imperialism or colonialism as an element within their writing as well as an examination of the human spirit.
What is Kipling saying in the white man's burden?
Colonialism and Imperialism “The White Man's Burden” presents the conquering of non-white races as white people's selfless moral duty. This conquest, according to the poem, is not for personal or national benefit, but rather for the gain of others—specifically, for the gain of the conquered.
Is Rudyard Kipling still alive?
January 18, 1936Rudyard Kipling / Date of death
What does Kipling mean by worn out tools?
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken. Twisted 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. MEANING: tolerate the fact that people have twisted your words or wrecked your projects; rebuild.
What is the central idea of the poem If by Rudyard Kipling?
THE MAIN IDEA OF THE POEM IF WRITTEN BY RUDYARD KIPLING IS THAT THE MAIN KEY TO LED A SATISFACTORY LIFE IS TO REMAIN BALANCED. WE SHOULD DEAL WITH THE UPS AND DOWNS IN LIFE WITH AN UNDISTURBED MIND. WE SHOULD HAVE CONFIDENCE AND PATIENCE TO HANDLE ANY SITUATION. WE SHOULD BE EVEN MINDED IN SUCCESS AND FAILURE.
Why did Rudyard Kipling refuse to interviewed?
Rudyard Kipling disliked being interviewed as he believed it is an immoral and criminal activity to invade into a person's personal life. He also termed interviews as a cowardly act and that no respectable man would want to be a part of an interview.
Who wrote "If"?
If— by Rudyard Kipling. Many people consider ‘If—’ to be one of the most inspirational poems ever written. It is certainly a poem that has garnered a great deal of attention in popular culture. In fact, any lover of tennis can probably tell you that several of the lines of ‘ If—’ are hanging in the player’s entrance at Centre Court Wimbledon in ...
What if Kipling wrote?
Kipling writes, “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you…” In this first “if” scenario, Kipling reminds the reader of the importance of maintaining a level head even when those around the reader do not have one and are blaming the situation on the reader. It should be noted here that the reader soon realizes the poem is really one long sentence. The poem ends on a particularly high note, which Kipling emphasizes with his use of an exclamation point.
How many lines are in Rudyard Kipling's poem?
Rudyard Kipling separates his poem into four stanzas of equal length, all of which contain eight lines. Each stanza has a set rhyme scheme of ababcdcd, with the exception of the first stanza, which has the following rhyme scheme: aaaabcbc.
How old was Rudyard Kipling when he started writing?
Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India, in December of 1865. As a boy, he took pleasure in the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Wilkie Collins. He was around eleven years old when he first started writing. Kipling’s best-known work, The Jungle Book, was published in the late 1890s. Kipling’s life took a tragic turn in the 1930s with the death of his second child.
What makes a poem move?
This makes the poem move, as the reader is working his or her way through it in order to get to the effects of what will happen if he or she is able to accomplish all that it mentions. Kipling does not disappoint. The reader discovers what will happen in the final two lines of the work.
What does Kipling say about the if-then scenario?
Kipling leaves the “then” until the final two lines, revealing to the reader that if he or she is able to do all that was just mentioned, he or she will not only have the world at his or her fingertips, but he or she will also be a “Man.”.
What happens in the fourth stanza of Kipling's "Ifs"?
In the fourth stanza, the consequence of doing all of these “ifs” is finally revealed, but not before Kipling presents us with three more scenarios. The first one deals with how to treat others, regardless of their station in life. He writes:
Who wrote the poem "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same"
Rudyard Kipling was an English poet who lived from 1865-1936. He also wrote many children's stories. The poem's line, "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same," is written on the wall of the players' entrance at Wimbledon.
What does "if you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken" mean?
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken. Twisted 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 winnings.
What did Kipling do when he failed the physical?
When he failed the physical, Kipling used his connections to get him in, only to watch him die in the battle for Loos leaving him awash in guilt. His life was one replete with trials, hardships, and sorrows, which one could never fault anyone for crumbling beneath, but time and time again he overcame.
Where did Rudyard Kipling live?
His childhood would continue for a short period along an upward slope in the wonderland where he was born, and then plunge dramatically at the age of six when he was sent to England for his education. His first five years in England were scarred by the terrible abuse he endured there from his foster mother. His only break during that period was the holiday month of December, when he would head to London to stay with his mother's family. After that period he was transferred to a school in Devon where he shone, becoming the editor of the school paper and embarking on his path as a writer, becoming a major success.
Who wrote "If"?
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son! Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) Kipling is said to have written the poem 'If' with Dr Leander Starr Jameson in mind, who led about five-hundred of his countrymen in a failed raid against the Boers, in southern Africa.
What is the meaning of "if" in the poem?
Rudyard Kipling's (1865-1936) inspirational poem 'If' first appeared in his collection 'Rewards and Fairies' in 1909. The poem 'If' is inspirational, motivational, and a set of rules for 'grown-up' living. Kipling's 'If' contains mottos and maxims for life, and the poem is also a blueprint for personal integrity, behaviour and self-development.

Summary
Themes
- In ‘If—,’ Kipling engages with themes of masculinity and success/defeat. The first of these is incredibly central to the poem. From the speaker’s point of view, there are very specific things the young listener has to do to become a man. The speaker celebrates attributes that are traditionally masculine, like strength, while also, in a contemporary setting, raising questions in regard to wha…
Structure and Form
- Rudyard Kipling separates his poem into four stanzas of equal length, all of which contain eight lines. Each stanza has a set rhyme scheme of ababcdcd, with the exception of the first stanza, which has the following rhymescheme: aaaabcbc. In terms of meter, the poem is written in iambic pentameter, with five feet consisting of an unstressed and then a stressed syllable. The speaker …
Analysis of If—
- First Stanza
The first stanza wastes no time in setting up the if-then scenario. Kipling writes, “If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you…” In this first “if” scenario, Kipling reminds the reader of the importance of maintaining a level head even when those aroun… - Second Stanza
The “if” clauses continue into the second stanza, but they are structured differently. In the first stanza, the “if” clauses were grouped in lines of two, with the exception of the final four lines. In the second stanza, the form of the first two “if” clauses is similar to the second half of the first st…
Literary Devices
- Kipling makes use of several literary devices in ‘If—.’ These include but are not limited to repetition, anaphora, enjambment, and caesura. The latter is a formaldevice that occurs when the poet inserts a pause into the middle of a line. This might be done with punctuation or with the meter. For example, lines one and two of the second stanza read: Just glancing at the poem, the reade…
Historical Context
- ‘If—’ was written in 1895 and first published in 1910 in “Brother Square Toes,” a chapter of Rewards and Fairies. Today, the poem’s philosophical outlook is considered to be one of the best examples of Victorian stoicism. It provides traditional advice about how to live a good life with the understanding that one has to make the most of every minute they have. It requires self …
About Rudyard Kipling
- Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India, in December of 1865. As a boy, he took pleasure in the work of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Wilkie Collins. He was around eleven years old when he first started writing.Kipling’s best-known work, The Jungle Book, was published in the late 1890s. Kipling’s life took a tragic turn in the 1930s with the death of his second child. After developing a…