Framed copies hang in offices of India’s National Defence Academy and the Indian Naval Academy. A verse is carved into the pavement of one English village. Two lines are on the wall of the stadium where the Wimbledon Championships are held. Clearly, Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem “If” is deeply loved by the British people and is viewed as culturally significant. But why? What were the motives behind Kipling’s writing of this beautifully inspiring poem? In this article, I’ll explore the main reasons why Kipling wrote this timeless piece.
Kipling’s Life and Career
When you look at Kipling’s upbringing and career, you’ll start to see why and how he could’ve written an inspiring poem like “If.” I sympathize with Kipling as he was shipped off to boarding school and forced to endure challenging ordeals there. Apparently, the foster parents that hosted him treated him badly. Imagine leaving your British parents in Bombay, India, at six years old, feeling stranded and abandoned. No doubt, he learned more than a few life lessons throughout that journey.
After finishing school in England, Kipling started writing as a journalist. Then, he began publishing poems, short stories, and novels. From those works, it was clear how much his childhood in India and at the boarding school had impacted him. If he didn’t adopt the stoic attitude described in “If” in his early years, he would’ve in later years, which didn’t get any easier.
Father-to-Son Advice
When you read the poem, do you feel that a loving parent is speaking words of wisdom to you? Well, that’s essentially what Kipling is doing. Kipling had three children: Josephine, John, and Elsie. Out of the three, Elsie was the only one to outlive Kipling.
So, “If” was a bit of advice for his only son. The instructions in the poem have traditionally masculine themes, and it’s not hard to picture a father speaking those verses to his son. Sadly, Kipling lost his son, John, in World War I, five years after “If” was published. John’s disappearance and assumed death changed Kipling’s demeanor for the worse. We can only guess the devastation Kipling felt rereading those poetic words of advice.
Historical Context Attributes to “If”
Now, history also plays a key role in the poem. Kipling was an imperialist, and “If” was written at the height of British imperialism. That’s no coincidence! Growing up in India, he was fascinated by British soldiers and their place in the world and in India. You can see some of these themes of power and success in the poem.
Soldier’s Attitude
Also, Kipling may have related his own development and growth to that of a soldier or of Britain during this time period. Evidently, the speaker of “If” celebrates strength, especially in the face of adversity. He must have witnessed bravery, determination, and stoicism in men of his community. All of these themes are woven into his famous poem.
Sir Leander Starr Jameson
One person in particular influenced “If.” That was Sir Leander Starr Jameson, a British colonialist politician. What was so special or admirable about this figure? Well, Jameson famously botched a raid in South Africa. The failed raid didn’t turn Kipling away, though. That could simply be because of British propaganda that painted the raid as a victory. Whatever the case, Kipling admired Jameson’s character and morals enough to draw inspiration from him.
We know Kipling was inspired by Jameson because he wrote about it in his autobiography, “Something of Myself.” His autobiography was unfinished when he passed away, but his wife helped publish it after his death. Kipling focused the book on revealing the origins or inspirations behind his work, including “If.”
Victorian Stoicism
Did you know “If” is a prime example of Victorian stoicism? This poem’s ideology makes it something of a period piece. That’s because it offers straightforward advice on how to live your life well. It praises discipline and a hardy attitude. When you think of stoicism, you might think of ancient Greece. But the British people firmly adored this positive, balanced philosophy. Kipling was no exception. Since “If” so strongly portrays a favored philosophy of the British, it’s no wonder it became so wildly popular among their nation.
Kipling Pulled From His Personal Motivations
We can also speculate that Kipling had other motivations, triumphs, or failures in mind as he wrote “If.” Kipling lived through more than a few challenges. He saw the brutalities and violence that came with war and colonialism. That’s not all, though. You see, he also endured illnesses like pneumonia and tonsillitis. Poor eyesight gave him difficulties. As a young man, he even survived malaria and dysentery while living in India.
At one point, when Kipling and his wife had all three kids to take care of, they all suffered from the flu. At that time, Kipling was a famous figure in Britain. So, his recovery from this terrible flu was actually covered by the British Medical Journal. Unfortunately, that bout of the flu was fatal for his daughter, Josephine. In moments like those, Kipling surely would have used that stoic advice he shares in “If.”
Conclusion
Now that you understand the “why” behind this famous poem, I’m sure you’ll read it in a new light. Isn’t it amazing how your analytical lenses shift once you appreciate an author’s motivations? As you continue to study this poem, consider what other meanings, themes, and elements connect to Kipling’s life, fatherhood, and place in history. Happy reading!