The repetition in the stanza supports the idea of building a strong character by indicating that endurance and patience are traits of someone with a strong character. Each line begins with a conditional "if," suggesting that true strength is demonstrated through the ability to handle various difficult situations with grace and resilience. The repetition emphasizes the importance of these qualities—such as patience in waiting, integrity in facing falsehoods, and the strength to overcome hatred—contributing to the overall theme of character development through the ability to maintain composure and virtue amidst adversity.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise
—“If,”
Rudyard Kipling
How does the repetition in the stanza support the idea of building a strong character?
by giving a list of strong character traits
by showing that waiting, being lied about, and being hated are admirable
by indicating that endurance and patience are traits of someone with a strong character
1 answer