Poetry Appreciation - ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling (Patreon)

"If you can dream — and not make dreams your master; If you can think — and not make thoughts your aim..."

Today we're appreciating the poem assigned in our last Coffee Q&A Show for readers wishing to expand their poetic horizons: 'If' by Rudyard Kipling.

This is one of the most iconic poems in the English language. It was even voted Britain's number one all-time favourite poem.

We're discussing how to approach a poem, using structure as entrance, the poet-reader relationship, Victorian stoicism, moral growth, striving for ideals, and more. 

Timestamps

• 0:00 how to approach a poem
• 2:00 on rereading & recitation
• 5:00 focusing assignments
• 7:00 background for the poem
• 10:00 reading the poem together
• 12:00 structure as ideal entrance
• 15:00 voicing the beat of the poem
• 19:00 anticipating resolution
• 21:00 poet-reader relationship
• 23:00 virtues & Victorian stoicism
• 27:00 growth & striving for ideals
• 29:00 where are your eyes drawn to?
• 34:00 Kipling on becoming a man
• 36:00 your response to this poem?
• 37:00 our next poem for appreciation

Resources:

• The Poem: You can read the poem whilst following along with the discussion here. If you would like a great paperback anthology that contains the poem, I'm working from this one: The Nation's Favourite Poems.
• Readings: This has long been a strong favourite of many public figures. There are an extraordinary amount of great readings available online. Here is Sir Michael Caine's reading. Here is Morgan Freeman's reading. Here is Dennis Hopper. And here is Ralph Fiennes. 
• Favoured Journal: I find this book journal from Moleskine to be perfect particularly for poetry because the narrow spaces force one to be highly selective when choosing favourite lines and noting down impressions.

Questions for You:

1) Does this style of poetry resonate with you?

2) Do you agree with Rudyard Kipling's advice? 

3) What do your personal favourite lines tell you about yourself? 

Happy reading, everybody!