If poem

2. We have been reading Anne Sexton's poem, "Courage" and Rudyard Kipling's poem "If". Both poems deal with the theme of courage. Which poem appeals most to you and explain why. Consider what the poet says and how each poet expresses his/her viewpoint.



I like the "If" poem best because it teaches you a lot of things like love, being happy, and to be a good man. It gives you good advice to be a good person. I agree with a lot of the things that the poet says in the poem.

Believe in yourself even if others don't, but respect their right to doubt you. Be patient, don't lie, and pay no attention to lies about you. When you realize there is more to life than wealth, you will be willing to sacrifice it all just to be happy. Watch the things you love or are important to you fall apart, you will fix them with whatever you have. There are a lot of opportunities in the world and you should take advantage of them. These are things that teach you to be happy and to be a good person. I think it is all good advice.

The poet gets his viewpoint by repeating "if you can." He thinks if you take his advice and try new things you can be a good person. He repeats so we think about everything. All we have to do is try. He tells us we can be a good person "if" we try.