NIOS Class 12 for English If
🌟 Chapter 12 – IF—
By Rudyard Kipling
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Table of Contents
✨ Introduction in English
Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If—” is one of the world’s most inspiring poems, written as advice from a father to his son on how to live a strong, balanced and meaningful life. The poem describes the qualities needed to become a mature, complete human being: patience, self-control, humility, courage, honesty, confidence, determination and calmness. Through simple but powerful lines, Kipling teaches us how to face challenges, handle success and failure, deal with critics, overcome disappointments, and rise every time we fall. The poem emphasises emotional strength, moral values, and the ability to remain stable when others are confused or frustrated. Ultimately, the poem shows that if a person develops all these qualities, they can become truly successful—a real human being in character, wisdom and conduct.
🌟 Introduction – in Hindi
रुडयार्ड किपलिंग की कविता “If—” दुनिया की सबसे प्रेरणादायक कविताओं में से एक है। यह एक पिता द्वारा अपने पुत्र को दी गई जीवन-उपदेशों की सीख के रूप में लिखी गई है, जिसमें बताया गया है कि किस प्रकार एक मजबूत, संतुलित और सार्थक जीवन जिया जाए। इस कविता में उन गुणों का वर्णन है जो किसी व्यक्ति को परिपक्व और संपूर्ण इंसान बनाते हैं—धैर्य, आत्म-संयम, विनम्रता, साहस, ईमानदारी, आत्मविश्वास, दृढ़ निश्चय और मानसिक शांति। सरल लेकिन प्रभावशाली पंक्तियों के माध्यम से किपलिंग हमें सिखाते हैं कि चुनौतियों का सामना कैसे करें, सफलता और असफलता को कैसे संभालें, आलोचकों से कैसे निपटें, निराशाओं को कैसे पार करें और हर गिरावट के बाद फिर से कैसे उठ खड़े हों। यह कविता भावनात्मक शक्ति, नैतिक मूल्यों और इस क्षमता पर ज़ोर देती है कि जब दूसरे लोग भ्रमित या परेशान हों, तब भी स्वयं को स्थिर और शांत रखा जाए। अंततः कविता यह संदेश देती है कि यदि कोई व्यक्ति इन सभी गुणों को विकसित कर ले, तो वह वास्तव में सफल बन सकता है—चरित्र, बुद्धि और व्यवहार के स्तर पर एक सच्चा मनुष्य।
NIOS Class 12 for English If
✍️ Summary in English
The poem “If—” teaches how to remain stable and wise in difficult situations. At the beginning, the poet says that one must “keep one’s head” when others lose theirs, meaning one should remain calm while others panic, and not lose self-control. Even when others doubt you, you must keep faith in yourself, while also understanding why others may doubt you.
The poet says we should not appear “too good” or “too wise”, because excessive pride makes a person arrogant and disliked. When people accuse you falsely or hate you, you should wait patiently, avoid lying, and never respond with hatred.
The poet uses the word “Imposter” for Triumph and Disaster because both success and failure are temporary and deceptive; they do not last forever. When failure comes, one must start again without complaining or losing heart.
The poet warns: do not let Dreams control you—dream, but remain practical. When he says “build ’em up with worn-out tools”, he means giving your best even after previous failures.
Words like “Heart, Sinew and Nerve” represent inner strength, courage, and physical stamina, which help us continue even when our body is tired. The poem also talks about the game “pitch-and-toss”; it is a metaphor, meaning we should be ready to risk everything for a greater purpose.
We should not speak a word about our loss because complaining weakens our spirit and dignity. The poet describes “Will” as the spirit that never gives up, even when everything else seems broken.
He advises speaking with crowds humbly and with kings confidently, treating both equally. Friends may harm us when we trust them blindly, so we must remain emotionally balanced. Similarly, one should not depend on people who “count with” us too much, because excessive dependence destroys independence and confidence.
Finally, “filling the minute” means making the best use of every single moment. If a person practices all these virtues, the world will belong to them—and they will grow into a complete and successful human being.
NIOS Class 12 for English If
✍️Summary in Hindi
कविता “If—” हमें कठिन परिस्थितियों में स्थिर और बुद्धिमान बने रहने की शिक्षा देती है। शुरुआत में कवि कहता है कि जब अन्य लोग अपना धैर्य खो दें, तब भी व्यक्ति को “अपना सिर ठंडा रखना” चाहिए—अर्थात् जब दूसरे घबराएँ, तब भी शांत रहना चाहिए और आत्म-संयम नहीं खोना चाहिए। जब लोग आपकी क्षमताओं पर संदेह करें, तब भी आपको स्वयं पर विश्वास बनाए रखना चाहिए और यह भी समझना चाहिए कि वे क्यों संदेह कर रहे हैं।
कवि कहता है कि हमें “बहुत अच्छा” या “बहुत बुद्धिमान” दिखने की कोशिश नहीं करनी चाहिए, क्योंकि अत्यधिक अहंकार व्यक्ति को घमंडी और अप्रिय बना देता है। जब लोग झूठे आरोप लगाएँ या आपसे घृणा करें, तब धैर्य से प्रतीक्षा करनी चाहिए, झूठ नहीं बोलना चाहिए, और कभी भी घृणा का जवाब घृणा से नहीं देना चाहिए।
कवि “Triumph” (सफलता) और “Disaster” (विफलता) को “Imposter” कहता है, क्योंकि दोनों ही अस्थायी और भ्रमित करने वाली स्थितियाँ हैं; वे हमेशा नहीं रहतीं। असफलता आने पर व्यक्ति को बिना शिकायत किए और बिना हिम्मत हारे दोबारा शुरू करना चाहिए।
कवि चेतावनी देता है कि सपनों को आप पर हावी न होने दें—सपने देखें, पर व्यावहारिक बने रहें। “पुराने औज़ारों से फिर से निर्माण करना” यह दर्शाता है कि पहले असफल होने के बावजूद पूरी मेहनत से दोबारा प्रयास करना चाहिए।
“Heart, Sinew and Nerve” जैसे शब्द आंतरिक शक्ति, साहस और शारीरिक सहनशक्ति का प्रतीक हैं, जो हमें आगे बढ़ने की ताकत देते हैं, भले ही शरीर थक चुका हो। कविता में “pitch-and-toss” नामक खेल का उल्लेख भी है; यह एक रूपक है, जिसका अर्थ है कि महान उद्देश्य के लिए सब कुछ जोखिम पर लगाने की तैयारी होना।
हमें अपने नुकसान के बारे में एक शब्द भी नहीं बोलना चाहिए, क्योंकि शिकायत करना हमारे साहस और गरिमा को कम करता है। कवि “Will” को उस अदम्य शक्ति के रूप में वर्णित करता है जो मुश्किलों में भी हार नहीं मानती।
कवि सलाह देता है कि भीड़ से विनम्रता से बात करें और राजाओं से आत्मविश्वास के साथ—दोनों के साथ समान व्यवहार रखते हुए। मित्र भी हमें तब नुकसान पहुँचा सकते हैं जब हम उन पर अंधा विश्वास कर लेते हैं, इसलिए भावनात्मक संतुलन ज़रूरी है। इसी तरह, उन लोगों पर भी अत्यधिक निर्भर नहीं होना चाहिए जो “हम पर अधिक भरोसा करते हैं”, क्योंकि अत्यधिक निर्भरता स्वतंत्रता और आत्मविश्वास को कम कर देती है।
अंत में, “एक मिनट को भरना” का अर्थ है हर एक क्षण का सर्वोत्तम उपयोग करना। यदि व्यक्ति इन सभी गुणों का अभ्यास करे, तो संसार उसी का हो जाता है—और वह एक पूर्ण, सफल और श्रेष्ठ मानव बन जाता है।
NIOS Class 12 for English If
Questions-Answers
Question 1:
“If you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you…” What does the poet mean by keeping or losing one’s head?
Answer
“Keeping your head” in the poem means maintaining composure and staying calm in the face of chaos or adversity, while “losing one’s head” implies succumbing to panic, confusion, or irrational behaviour.
Question 2:
What should you ideally do when others doubt your decision?
Answer
When others doubt your decision, ideally, you should “trust yourself” and have confidence in your choices. However, you should also “make allowance for their doubting too,” which means being open to considering their perspectives and, if necessary, explaining or defending your decisions.
Question 3:
Why should we not try to look “too good” nor talk “too wise”?
Answer
The poem advises against looking “too good” or talking “too wise” because it’s a reminder to remain humble and not appear arrogant or self-righteous. It encourages modesty and simplicity in one’s demeanour.
Question 4:
How does the poem advice handling waiting and accusations of lying and hatred?
a) Wait impatiently and respond with lies
b) Be patient, avoid lying, and respond to hatred with hatred
c) Ignore waiting, lie when necessary, and respond to hatred with kindness
d) Wait patiently, avoid lying, and don’t give in to hatred
Answer
d) Wait patiently, avoid lying, and don’t give in to hatred
Question 5:
What is the meaning of the word “Imposter”? Why is it used to describe “Triumph” and “Disaster”?
Answer
The word “impostor” refers to someone or something that deceives or misrepresents itself, often pretending to be something it’s not.
In the poem, “Triumph” and “Disaster” are described as “impostors” because they can both be misleading. Triumph can make one overconfident, while Disaster can be demoralising. The poet advises treating them both
the same, not getting carried away by either extreme.
Question 6:
What should we do in the face of failure according to the poet?
Answer
In the face of failure, the poet advises starting again with determination and without complaining about the loss. The key message is to exhibit resilience and the ability to bounce back after setbacks.
Question 7:
What does the poet mean when he says “ -and not make Dream your master”?
Answer
When the poet says, “-and not make Dream your master,” he means that one should not let their dreams or ambitions completely control and dictate their life. It’s important to pursue dreams but not to the extent that they become an obsession or hinder practicality and balance in life.
Question 8:
Building things with Worn-out tools means
a) Using blunt, old tools for construction.
b) Giving your everything despite failing before.
c) Finding a middle way out in the face of conflict.
d) Helplessly trying to fix things which cannot be fixed.
Answer
d) Helplessly trying to fix things which cannot be fixed
Question 9:
What do the words Heart, Sinew and Nerve mean?
Answer
In the context of the poem, the words “Heart,” “Sinew,” and “Nerve” represent the core elements of a person’s inner strength and determination.
They symbolise the physical and emotional fortitude needed to persevere in difficult circumstances.
Question 10:
Should we actually risk all our winnings in a game of Pitch-and- Toss, Or is it a metaphor?
Answer
The idea of risking all your winnings in a game of Pitch-and-Toss is a metaphor. It’s not meant to be taken literally but rather symbolises the concept of taking significant risks or chances in life. The poet is encouraging the willingness to risk everything in the pursuit of a goal or in the face of adversity.
Question 11:
Why should we never “breathe a word” about our loss?
Answer
We should never “breathe a word” about our loss because the poem emphasises maintaining composure, resilience, and not seeking sympathy or attention for our failures. It encourages a quiet, determined resolve to start again after a loss.
Question 12:
Which of the following best describes “Will”?
a) The spirit of never giving up against odds.
b) The optimism kept in times of despair.
c) The rage felt when we feel wronged.
d) The emotion which makes us avoid all danger
Answer
a) The spirit of never giving up against odds
Question 13:
In what manner should we talk to the crowd and with Kings?
Answer
The poem suggests that when talking to both crowds and Kings, one should do so in a way that maintains their virtue and common touch. This means treating everyone with respect and not letting social status or power change how you interact with people.
Question 14:
How can our friends harm us?
Answer
Friends can harm us by either becoming overly critical, overly dependent, or by exploiting our trust. When they “hurt” us, it typically means that they may let us down or disappoint us in some way.
Question 15:
Why should a person not have people who “count with” them too much?
Answer
The poet advises against having people who “count with” us too much because it’s a warning against becoming overly dependent on others or overly influenced by their opinions. Relying too heavily on anyone can compromise one’s independence and decision-making.
Question 16:
What is the meaning of “filling” a “minute”?
Answer
“Filling a minute” means making the most of each moment by using your time effectively and purposefully. It’s about not wasting time but rather utilising every second to accomplish something worthwhile.
NIOS Class 12 for English If
