If by Rudyard Kipling

What is the poem about?

a father's advice to his son on how to be a great British man

How is the poem presented?

second person

direct address

use of anaphora

What tone is used in the poem?

didactic, tries to educate his son, and the reader to recognise and aspire to becoming a gentleman

What imagery is used in the poem?

sporting comparisons, triumph and disaster are personified

what sounds and literary devices give sense of importance?

perpetual enjambment creates pace, urgency and dynamism, created for reader to feel something important is said

What structure is used and what effect does it create

one long sentence, lines flowing to the next, 4 stanzas, 8 lines, ababcdcd rhyme which gives poem pace and direction and empasises certain words

what form is used in the poem?

dramatic monologue

context of author

born in India, addressed to Kipling's son who died in WW1. inspired by politicians of what it's like to be a British man

Title "If"

a conditional used to describe facts and consequences, therefore the poem is a list of statements which hold back the consequences until final line creating drama and anticipation

"If you can"

anaphora repeated at start of most lines as it produces a question which forces the reader to feel if they can live up to the challenge

"keep your head"

metaphor and synecdoche for staying calm, real men don't lose control and panic

"losing theirs and blaming it on you"

gives a picture of an able man who does not fluster and takes responsibility for mistakes

"if you can trust yourself when all men doubt you"

captures idea of self belief and a 'real' man sticks with own judgement

"yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise"

model of masculinity doesn't show off to impress and don't complain or be arrogant

"if you can dream..." "if you can think"

ambition is important to be a man, however a real man doesn't lose control so can't allow ambition to drive him

"not make thoughts your aim"

actions are more important, practical masculinity

"meet with triumph and disaster"

a real man deals with failure and success, greet them in the same way

"treat those two imposters"

deceiving as success and failure aren't what you think you are but your ability to deal with them is what matters

"twisted by knaves"

implies a dishonest or unscrupulous person

"build 'em with worn out tools"

metaphor comparing success to destruction, again practical maculinity

"risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss"

gambling metaphor, game of luck which a man will be prepared for

"never breathe a word about your loss"

shows stoicism and proportion

"you can force your heart and nerve and sinew"

polysyndetic listing and polysyndeton shows the son or listener must hold onto everything as dangerous situations means you need the use every detail and aspect of you to make you a man

"except the Will which say to them: "hold on!"

personification and dialogue telling us we must persist when others give up

"talk with crowds and keep your virtue" "nor lose common touch"

relationships with others shouldn't be influential, a great man can speak with kings and be normal, and yet other people too and not be arrogant

"foes nor loving friends can hurt you"

idea of emotionally cutting off so others cant hurt you

"If you can fill the unforgiving minute/ with sixty seconds' worth of distance run"

enjambment shows life is short and only brief and you must seize life

"yours is the earth and everything in it"

imperialistic imagery shows if you can do everything mentioned, you can own the world and lead to success

"And - "

conjunction and dashes used to make a consequence seem more important than the cause

"you'll be a Man"

mastering the world is less important than being all these things, capital letters for this crucial concept

"my son!"

personal realization of who he is speaking to, he is sure his son will be a man (if he can do these things)