James Harvey Stutts Attorney at Law

09/02/2023

Next up on our exploration of small towns in each Southern state: TENNESSEE! Image: Downtown Jonesborough | Courtesy Tennessee Tourism

08/28/2023

08/23/2023

Please spread the word! Come meet YOUR Commissioners and share your ideas!

06/20/2023

"The price of apathy towards public affairs is to be ruled by evil men." ~ Plato
Book: https://amzn.to/3qOxrf0
Middle Platonic Dialogues: Cratylus, Euthydemus, Menexenus, Meno, Parmenides, Phaedo, Phaedrus, Republic, Symposium, Theaetetus by plato

06/14/2023

"IF ''
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"If" by Rudyard Kipling is a famous poem that explores various literary elements. Here are some key literary elements present in the poem:

Theme: The overarching theme of the poem is the qualities and virtues that contribute to a person's character and their ability to handle adversity and triumph in life.

Tone: The tone of the poem is didactic and instructive, as the speaker imparts wisdom and guidance to the reader or listener. It is also reflective and contemplative, encouraging self-reflection and introspection.

Structure: The poem is written in the form of a series of four-line stanzas, known as quatrains, with a regular rhyme scheme (ABCB). The consistent structure adds to the poem's rhythmic flow and reinforces its didactic nature.

Imagery: Kipling makes use of vivid and descriptive imagery to convey his message. For example, he describes the ability to "keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you" or to "watch the things you gave your life to, broken." These images help the reader visualize the situations and challenges being discussed.

Repetition: The poem employs repetition for emphasis and to reinforce its central message. The repeated use of the word "if" at the beginning of each stanza serves as a rhetorical device, highlighting the conditional nature of the advice being given.

Allusion: Kipling incorporates allusions to historical events and figures to illustrate his points. For instance, he mentions "Triumph and Disaster" and "Treat those two impostors just the same," alluding to the idea of maintaining equanimity in both success and failure.

Irony: There is an element of irony in the poem as the speaker acknowledges the difficulty of embodying the qualities mentioned, acknowledging that they are not easy to achieve, but still encourages the reader to strive for them.

These are just a few of the literary elements present in "If." The poem's rich use of language, rhythm, and imagery contributes to its enduring popularity and impact.