Rudyard+Kipling*

//If *//
- If is a didactic poem, which is meant to give instruction on how to be a good leader. Kipling accomplished this not through simply listing out character traits, but illustrating what one should or shouldn't do. - The first stanza discusses self-confidence and the importance of being able to face unpopularity and disagreement, but also self-confidence where one will accept other ideas and beliefs. - The latter three lines in the first stanza covers honesty, patience and fortitude. - Each of these 'ideas' have a common characteristic: they talk about one being good in the presence of something bad. - There is the constant reference to "you" or "your", which directly has an effect on the reader. - Overall message of not letting status corrupt you and not putting yourself above others. - The last line reveals that the poem is actually written from father to son, a passing down of knowledge to the next generation. This is the first time throughout the poem that the readers realize that the poem wasn't directed at them.