The White Man's Burden by Rudyard Kipling

Summary

Rudyard Kipling's poem 'The White Man's Burden' urges Western powers to take on the moral responsibility of colonizing and 'civilizing' non-Western nations. It portrays imperialism as a challenging, self-sacrificial duty, marked by resistance and ingratitude from the colonized. The poem advocates for perseverance in the face of hardship, presenting empire-building as a noble burden despite its difficulties. The colonialist mindset reflected in the poem has sparked much debate over the ethics of imperialism.

Takeaways

• 😀 The poem is a call to action for the colonial powers to assume the responsibility of governing and civilizing non-European peoples.
• 😀 It highlights the perceived duty of the 'white man' to carry out this burden, despite the difficulties and challenges involved.
• 😀 The text portrays the 'civilizing mission' as both a noble and thankless task, requiring sacrifice and enduring hardship.
• 😀 There is a recurring theme of 'burden' and 'service,' with an emphasis on serving those considered 'lesser' or 'primitive' by colonial powers.
• 😀 Kipling describes the people being colonized as 'half-devil and half-child,' depicting them as needing guidance and control.
• 😀 The poem suggests that the white man’s actions are for the greater good, even if the people he aims to help may resist or hate him for it.
• 😀 Kipling emphasizes the toll this burden takes on those who undertake it, including the feelings of resentment and frustration that arise.
• 😀 The work of colonial rulers is depicted as humble, with an emphasis on toil rather than glory or reward.
• 😀 Kipling refers to 'savage wars of peace,' indicating that the colonial process often involves violent struggle masked as peacekeeping.
• 😀 The poem conveys the idea that the 'white man's burden' is a lifelong commitment, not a short-term venture, requiring perseverance through hardship and lack of recognition.

Q & A

What is the central theme of Rudyard Kipling's 'The White Man's Burden'?

The central theme of the poem is the idea of imperialism and the supposed duty of Western powers, particularly the British Empire, to civilize and uplift 'inferior' nations. Kipling presents imperialism as a burdensome task that requires sacrifice and selflessness.

How does Kipling describe the people in the colonized lands?

Kipling describes the people in the colonized lands as 'half-devil and half-child,' implying they are primitive, wild, and in need of Western intervention to become civilized.

What does Kipling mean by the 'white man's burden'?

The 'white man's burden' refers to the perceived moral responsibility of Western nations, particularly the British, to colonize and 'civilize' non-Western peoples, even if it is an arduous and thankless task.

What is the tone of the poem, and how does it reflect Kipling's views on imperialism?

The tone of the poem is paternalistic and solemn, reflecting Kipling's belief in the righteousness of imperialism. He views the duty of the colonizer as a heavy but noble task that requires patience, sacrifice, and perseverance.

What role does 'sacrifice' play in Kipling's depiction of imperialism?

Sacrifice is a key element in Kipling's depiction of imperialism. He suggests that colonizers must be willing to endure hardship and hardship for the benefit of the colonized, despite facing hatred and misunderstanding.

Why does Kipling emphasize that the colonizers must endure the 'hate of those ye guard'?

Kipling emphasizes this to highlight the challenges and frustrations of imperialism. He suggests that even though colonizers are working for the supposed good of the colonized people, their efforts will often be met with resentment and animosity.

How does Kipling contrast the colonizers' work with that of the 'sullen peoples'?

Kipling contrasts the hard work of the colonizers, which he describes as a burden of toil and service, with the passive or even hostile resistance of the 'sullen peoples' who, in his view, are ungrateful and obstructive to their own improvement.

What does Kipling mean by the 'savage wars of peace'?

The 'savage wars of peace' refers to the violent and often brutal conflicts that imperial powers may engage in to bring about 'peace' and 'civilization.' Kipling acknowledges the contradiction of trying to impose peace through war.

What is the significance of the phrase 'the cry of the huddled masses' in Kipling's poem?

While Kipling does not directly use the phrase 'the cry of the huddled masses,' it can be interpreted as a representation of the suffering and cries for help from those living under imperial rule. The phrase echoes the idea that the colonized people are helpless and in need of Western intervention.

How does Kipling address the idea of freedom in the poem?

Kipling suggests that the colonizers must not call too loudly on freedom as an excuse for their actions. This reflects his belief that the colonized people are not ready for self-rule and must be guided by Western powers until they are 'civilized.'