If By: Rudyard Kipling
The poem "If" has several underlying meanings. First, it is quite apparent that the speaker is a parent, as is shown by the quote "You'll be a man, my Son!". The speaker is trying to tell their "son" how to be happy and successful in life. For example, the speaker says to keep your wits about you, to not lie, and to not hate. In the last stanza, the speaker says to "fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.". This can be interpreted that the speaker is saying to try your hardest and make the best out of life. Overall, the speaker offers advice on how to live an amazing, joyful, and prosperous life.
The poem "If" has several underlying meanings. First, it is quite apparent that the speaker is a parent, as is shown by the quote "You'll be a man, my Son!". The speaker is trying to tell their "son" how to be happy and successful in life. For example, the speaker says to keep your wits about you, to not lie, and to not hate. In the last stanza, the speaker says to "fill the unforgiving minute with sixty seconds worth of distance run.". This can be interpreted that the speaker is saying to try your hardest and make the best out of life. Overall, the speaker offers advice on how to live an amazing, joyful, and prosperous life.