Analysis of “If” Poem Through Structuralist Lenses

Abstract

The aim of this research study is to apply Structuralism (a Linguistic movement related to scientific study of words as signs) as theoretical framework on the Poem “If” by Rudyard Kipling.  “If” poem has thoroughly been analyzed by various critics employing various literary theories. The researcher has analyzed it through the lens of structuralism (a literary theory) by analyzing its underlying principles and patterns embedded within the poem. The researcher has analyzed parallels, echoes, reflection, patterns, imagery, defamiliarization and contrasts so that to reveal a systematic structural approach which indeed has been adopted by Kipling in this particular poem. Furthermore, the close textual analysis, descriptive and interpretive methods as research techniques have been utilized in this study. This research study is likely to contribute to fields of Linguistics, Literary theory and Pakistani literature as a distinct genre.