If By Rudyard Kipling Essay

“I clung to my poem as to a faith.” Rudyard Kipling was a very popular writer, and wrote one of his most famous poems, “If-,” using a theme of positivity as well as morality. Jesús Colón was a Puerto Rican who moved to the United States. In his memoir, he tells of how Kipling's poem helped him through the difficult times of being an immigrant. His theme also expresses positivity.
In Kipling's “If-” the theme centers on being a man, having strong morals, and doing the right thing. He encourages keeping one's head and trusting oneself. Kipling also conveys meeting good and bad situations equally, not complaining about the troubles of life, and not giving up on what is right. “If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue” depicts a sense of staying true to who you are, and focusing on what is right. …show more content…
He indicates his hard times in stating “My few books were in a soap box nailed to the wall,” in addition to “I would visit the government employment office.” Moreover he tells of “looking for a job as porter or dishwasher. At least I would eat and be warm in a kitchen.” In this memoir, Colón uses Kipling's “If-” to stay focused on positivity. He describes this poem as “a guide to direct my life a great poem to make me wise, useful, and happy.” However, the story turns at the end of the memoir. Hinting with his rebellion against menial jobs, Colón begins to give up on his idea of