Discuss the portrayal of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's The White Man's Burden
Rudyard Kipling's poem, "The
White Man's Burden," is a clear and unapologetic call for imperialism. The
poem was written in 1899, at the height of imperial expansion by Western
powers, and it reflects the attitudes and beliefs of the time. The poem
presents imperialism as a noble and necessary mission, a duty that falls upon
the white man to civilize and uplift the "lesser" peoples of the
world. However, a closer analysis of the poem reveals a more complex and
nuanced portrayal of imperialism.
The poem begins with the line,
"Take up the White Man's burden--/ Send forth the best ye breed."
This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which urges the white man
to take on the responsibility of civilizing the "savage" and
"half-breed" peoples of the world. Kipling portrays imperialism as a
moral obligation, a duty that must be undertaken by the white man for the
benefit of humanity. He argues that it is the white man's burden to bring
civilization, progress, and prosperity to the rest of the world.
Discuss the portrayal of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's The White Man's Burden:-Kipling's portrayal of imperialism
is rooted in the idea of the "white man's burden," a term that was
popularized in the late 19th century by British imperialists. The term refers
to the idea that it is the duty of the white race to civilize and uplift the
"uncivilized" peoples of the world. This notion was used to justify
colonialism and imperialism, and it was often used to mask the exploitation and
oppression that accompanied imperial expansion.
Kipling's poem, however, goes
beyond this simplistic portrayal of imperialism. He acknowledges the challenges
and difficulties that come with the mission of civilizing the world. In the
second stanza, he writes, "Your new-caught sullen peoples, / Half devil
and half child." This line recognizes the fact that the peoples of the
world are not blank slates waiting to be filled with Western ideals and values.
They have their own cultures, beliefs, and ways of life, and imposing Western
values on them is not an easy task.
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Discuss the portrayal of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's The White Man's Burden:-Kipling also recognizes the
potential dangers and risks of imperialism. He writes, "The ports ye shall
not enter, / The roads ye shall not tread, / Go make them with your living, /
And mark them with your dead." This line acknowledges the fact that
imperialism can lead to conflict and violence. The white man may face
resistance and opposition from the peoples he seeks to civilize, and this
resistance may result in bloodshed and loss of life.
Furthermore, Kipling's portrayal of
imperialism is not entirely celebratory. He acknowledges that the white man's burden
is a heavy one, and that it may be difficult to sustain the mission of
civilizing the world. He writes, "And when your goal is nearest / The end
for others sought, / Watch sloth and heathen folly / Bring all your hopes to
nought." This line recognizes the fact that imperialism is not a
straightforward or easy task. It requires sustained effort, resources, and
commitment, and even then success is not guaranteed.
Discuss the portrayal of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's The White Man's Burden:-Despite these complexities and
nuances in Kipling's portrayal of imperialism, the poem has been widely
criticized for its imperialist and racist overtones. The poem portrays the
white man as a benevolent and noble figure, while portraying the peoples of the
world as savage and uncivilized. This portrayal reinforces the colonialist and
racist ideology that was prevalent during the time the poem was written.
Moreover, the poem presents
imperialism as a one-sided affair, with the white man as the sole agent of
change and progress. This ignores the fact that the peoples of the world have
their own agency and capacity for change, and that imperialism can stifle or
even destroy local cultures
The
White Man's Burden “Summary”
Rudyard Kipling's poem "The
White Man's Burden" presents imperialism as a noble and necessary mission
for the white man to uplift and civilize the "lesser" peoples of the
world. The poem was written in 1899, at the height of imperial expansion by
Western powers, and reflects the attitudes and beliefs of the time. Kipling
portrays imperialism as a moral obligation, a duty that must be undertaken by
the white man for the benefit of humanity. He argues that it is the white man's
burden to bring civilization, progress, and prosperity to the rest of the
world.
Discuss the portrayal of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's The White Man's Burden:-However, a closer analysis of the
poem reveals a more complex and nuanced portrayal of imperialism. Kipling
acknowledges the challenges and difficulties that come with the mission of
civilizing the world. He recognizes the fact that the peoples of the world have
their own cultures, beliefs, and ways of life, and imposing Western values on
them is not an easy task. He also acknowledges the potential dangers and risks
of imperialism, such as conflict and violence.
Moreover, Kipling's portrayal of
imperialism is not entirely celebratory. He acknowledges that the white man's
burden is a heavy one, and that it may be difficult to sustain the mission of
civilizing the world. Success is not guaranteed, and sloth and heathen folly
may bring all hopes to nought.
Discuss the portrayal of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's The White Man's Burden:-Despite these complexities and
nuances in Kipling's portrayal of imperialism, the poem has been widely
criticized for its imperialist and racist overtones. The poem portrays the
white man as a benevolent and noble figure, while portraying the peoples of the
world as savage and uncivilized. This portrayal reinforces the colonialist and
racist ideology that was prevalent during the time the poem was written.
Moreover, the poem presents
imperialism as a one-sided affair, with the white man as the sole agent of
change and progress. This ignores the fact that the peoples of the world have
their own agency and capacity for change, and that imperialism can stifle or
even destroy local cultures.
In conclusion, Kipling's poem
"The White Man's Burden" presents imperialism as a moral obligation
for the white man to civilize and uplift the peoples of the world. While the
poem acknowledges the challenges and risks of imperialism, it has been widely
criticized for its imperialist and racist overtones, and for presenting
imperialism as a one-sided affair. Despite these criticisms, the poem remains a
significant document of the attitudes and beliefs of the time, and a reminder
of the dangers of imperialism and colonialism.
FAQ.
Q: What is "The White Man's Burden"?
A: "The White Man's
Burden" is a poem written by Rudyard Kipling in 1899, during the height of
imperial expansion by Western powers. The poem presents imperialism as a moral
obligation for the white man to uplift and civilize the peoples of the world.
Q: What is the message of the poem?
A: The message of the poem is that
it is the duty of the white man to bring civilization, progress, and prosperity
to the rest of the world. Kipling argues that this is a moral obligation, and
that the white man must undertake this burden for the benefit of humanity.
Q: What are the criticisms of the poem?
A: The poem has been widely criticized for its imperialist and racist overtones. The portrayal of the white man as a benevolent and noble figure, while portraying the peoples of the world as savage and uncivilized, reinforces the colonialist and racist ideology that was prevalent during the time the poem was written. Moreover, the poem presents imperialism as a one-sided affair, with the white man as the sole agent of change and progress, ignoring the fact that the peoples of the world have their own agency and capacity for change.
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