IF BY RUDYARD KIPLING

 Osmania University English 

Sem 1

Unit 2

Video lesson in English

IF - By RUDYARD KIPLING

 

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,

    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 Disaster

    And treat those two impostors just the same;   

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

    And 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 sinew

    To serve your turn long after they are gone,   

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

    Except 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 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!

According to Kipling, what are some of the challenges that a person will have to face in life? (Dec 23/Jan 2024)

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936) was an English poet and novelist who is remembered for his children's books, including the ever popular "The Jungle Book" and "Kim", and for his many stories and poems written about the British in India during the Raj. He was a strong advocate of the British Empire. Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1907, and was offered a knighthood several times, though he declined the honour.

GLOSSARY

keep one's head: to remain calm, especially under pressure

make allowance: to take into consideration when making calculations or plans. 

Triumph and Disaster. success and defeat (personified)

imposter: a person who pretends to be someone else in order to deceive others. 

knave: a dishonest or unscrupulous person

stoop: to bend one's head or body forwards and downwards

pitch-and-toss: a gambling game in which the player who manages to throw a coin closest to a mark gets to toss all the coins, winning those that land with the head up. 

sinew: a piece of tough tissue connecting muscle and bone

common touch: the ability to empathize with common people and not feel superior to them

foe: enemy

the unforgiving minute:-referring to how time does not wait for anyone. 

COMPREHENSION

Answer the following questions in 80-100 words.

1. The title of the poem is short and to the point. How does this apply to the overall theme of the poem?

Or

Summary of the poem. 

About the Poet: Rudyard Kipling was born on December 30, 1865, in Bombay, India, and died on January 18, 1936, in London. He was an English short-story writer and poet who advocated British imperialism. He is well-known for his works “The Jungle Book” (1894), a children’s classic, and “Kim” (1901), a novel that tells the story of Kimball O’Hara and his adventures in the Himalayas. His earliest short stories are set in British India. Throughout his life, Kipling declined numerous honors, such as a knighthood and the poet laureateship. He received the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907.

 

About the Poem: The 32-line poem consists of four stanzas, each containing eight lines (an octave). The rhyme scheme is simple and repeats across the poem’s four octaves: ABABCDCD. The poem is about the instructions for living in the world given by a father to his son. The poem has been inspirational to many young British boys. It can be assumed that the listener may be the speaker’s son. The poet advises his son to remain cool and calm when others lose their composure and blame him for their failures or hold him responsible. The poet talks about self-belief and self-trust, which are crucial when all men doubt one’s capabilities. He suggests that his son should also consider their doubts thoughtfully. The poet highlights the quality of patience without losing enthusiasm. The poet emphasizes honesty and urges him not to lie, even though others lie about him. He should not give way to hating and should avoid boasting about virtues and knowledge.

In the second stanza, the poet suggests that he should dream big but not allow dreams to rule over him. Daydreaming and thinking too much never lead to success. The poet personifies Triumph and Disaster (success and defeat) and urges him to treat these two impostors the same. He should be ready to hear his words twisted by knaves (dishonest people) for their personal benefit. The speaker talks about a never-give-up attitude. He instills positivity in his son, saying that though he may fail in his endeavors, he must be prepared to start again.

    In the third stanza, the poet continues the same thought as the previous lines. The speaker says to his son that he must be prepared to take risks in life. One should not quit even though they face hardships in life. One should not worry even if they lose everything. They may start a new life from scratch. The speaker motivates his child by saying to keep trying even when he is tired. One should have a strong ‘Will’, which motivates them to “Hold on!”

     In the fourth stanza, the poet talks about pride and ego. One should not be egoistic when among wealthy or rich people. One should treat the rich and poor the same way. One should never give up one’s ideals. Neither friends nor enemies can hurt if one is strong. Time is valuable. Time does not wait for anyone and doesn’t forgive those who waste it. The final lines conclude the poem by stating that if his son or any young boy fulfills the conditions mentioned above, he can achieve success in life, and he will be a ‘Man’, a true human.

Short Answer Questions for Internal exam

1. Who is the author of ‘Jungle Book and Kim?

Ans:- Rudyard Kipling

2.Kipling was awarded the Nobel Prize in —------in 1907.

Ans:- Literature

3.What final reward does the poet say you will achieve if you can meet all the challenges described?

Ans:- You’ll be a Man.

4.’keep one's head’ means —-------

Ans:- to remain calm

5.who is the writer of the poem ' IF'

Ans:- Rudyard Kipling

6.What is the poem 'IF' about?

Ans:- The poem is an advice on how to live a virtuous life.

Video lesson in Telugu