Read the excerpt from "if" by rudyard kipling. if you can dream – and not make dreams your master; if you can think – and not make thoughts your aim; if you can meet with triumph and disaster and treat those two impostors just the same; thoughts and dreams are important to control. this theme is found in this excerpt. how does repetition strengthen the theme in these lines? the repeated words emphasize controlling thoughts and dreams. the repeated words caution readers against danger. the repeated words make thoughts and dreams easier to grasp. the repeated words explain the importance of love and honesty.