The poem "If" seems to be one sentence long. What might this suggest about a young man's route to manhood?

"If" is actually two sentences: the first two stanzas are
punctuated with semi-colons, while the third stanza ends with an exclamation point,
which is end of a sentence punctuation unless you add a comma after the quote mark that
follows the exclamation point.

Some of the answers you seek
can be found in a biography of Kipling's life; pay particular attention to the
information pertaining to his son John's life.

What do you
learn about John? What about John's life is relevant to this poem? What was the pupose
of writing it? Was it for John do you think?

The theme of
the poem is "carpe diem", or "sieze the day", a common theme in literature which evokes
in the reader a feeling that we must make the most of each minute we are given. Does
this theme have a tie-in to Kipling's son and the advice he is giving his
son.

I know I didn't answer your question, but "IF" (small
play on words) you look his bio up online here on e-notes in another window, I'm sure
you will have no trouble seeing exacly what you are asking. I have provided you with an
additional link to another web site that also has a bio for
you.

Good Luck!

Mrs.
Morse