The White Man's Burden
Introduction
The White Man’s Burden was a poem published in 1899 by the same man who gave the world classics like If, The Jungle Book and Kim. This is Rudyard Kipling’s only poem or book which was infamous in his otherwise glittering cabinet of extraordinary works. This poem achieved infamy like no other. Its ramifications were widespread.
The White Man’s Burden was published in the aftermath of the Treaty of Paris, 1898. The Treaty of Paris was an agreement made to end the Spanish – American War. With this treaty, Spain relinquished its claim on Cuba. It also had to cede the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States.
Explanation of the Poem
Why exactly does Kipling call the poem "The White Man's Burden"? There is no doubt …show more content…
This is an alternate interpretation of Kipling’s work that he urges for the just treatment of the non-whites. Kipling repeatedly urges the imperialists for deliverance of the non-whites throughout the poem.
Kipling cautions the imperialists that their actions will be viewed closely by the non-whites and will decide they see the imperialists and their Gods. “By all ye cry or whisper, by all ye leave or do, the silent, sullen peoples Shall weigh your gods and you.” He is asking the whites to put up their best behaviour and show their best side to the captives. This goes on to prove that he realizes that the whites are not all that just and have a very bad side.
According to Kipling, imperialists will be judged on the treatment of the non-whites by other nations and future generations. Terming acts like celebration of their victory and basking in gory as ‘childish’, he urges the imperialists to not indulge in such acts. They should focus more on how their work would be judged by other imperialist powers in subsequent …show more content…
It wants to put across the message that whites colonize non-whites not to rule and colonize for their own benefits but to modernize and develop the underdeveloped lands. They also want to help better their captives’ standard of living. The imperialists should send their best men to colonize and teach the non-whites civility in accordance with the culture of the Europeans. The whites must quell revolts and rebellions and must not risk a full-fledged war with the non-whites. They should also take steps to reduce famines and deaths due to extreme poverty and to increase the productivity of their captives’ lands. In the development process, the whites must also build quality transportation systems like railways. However, distrust and hatred will be the only response the whites will get from the non-whites hate for their godlike
The White Man’s Burden was a poem published in 1899 by the same man who gave the world classics like If, The Jungle Book and Kim. This is Rudyard Kipling’s only poem or book which was infamous in his otherwise glittering cabinet of extraordinary works. This poem achieved infamy like no other. Its ramifications were widespread.
The White Man’s Burden was published in the aftermath of the Treaty of Paris, 1898. The Treaty of Paris was an agreement made to end the Spanish – American War. With this treaty, Spain relinquished its claim on Cuba. It also had to cede the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam to the United States.
Explanation of the Poem
Why exactly does Kipling call the poem "The White Man's Burden"? There is no doubt …show more content…
This is an alternate interpretation of Kipling’s work that he urges for the just treatment of the non-whites. Kipling repeatedly urges the imperialists for deliverance of the non-whites throughout the poem.
Kipling cautions the imperialists that their actions will be viewed closely by the non-whites and will decide they see the imperialists and their Gods. “By all ye cry or whisper, by all ye leave or do, the silent, sullen peoples Shall weigh your gods and you.” He is asking the whites to put up their best behaviour and show their best side to the captives. This goes on to prove that he realizes that the whites are not all that just and have a very bad side.
According to Kipling, imperialists will be judged on the treatment of the non-whites by other nations and future generations. Terming acts like celebration of their victory and basking in gory as ‘childish’, he urges the imperialists to not indulge in such acts. They should focus more on how their work would be judged by other imperialist powers in subsequent …show more content…
It wants to put across the message that whites colonize non-whites not to rule and colonize for their own benefits but to modernize and develop the underdeveloped lands. They also want to help better their captives’ standard of living. The imperialists should send their best men to colonize and teach the non-whites civility in accordance with the culture of the Europeans. The whites must quell revolts and rebellions and must not risk a full-fledged war with the non-whites. They should also take steps to reduce famines and deaths due to extreme poverty and to increase the productivity of their captives’ lands. In the development process, the whites must also build quality transportation systems like railways. However, distrust and hatred will be the only response the whites will get from the non-whites hate for their godlike