White Man's Burden Imperialism

1087 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Causes and results-spanish american war- USII 5a

The White Man’s Burden is Rudyard Kipling’s seven stanza poem that served as a propaganda piece for encouraging imperialistic techniques. Kipling was one of the most renowned British writers in history. He was also the author of The Jungle Book and The Man Who Would Be King, which are two of the most recognized pieces in modern literature. The poem, The White Man’s Burden, was written and published in 1899. Written during the time period following the Spanish-American War when America took over the Philippines, this poem has influences from the war as well as the movement into the beginning of Neo-Imperialism. Kipling’s The White Man’s Burden incorporates ideas that were crucial during this time period especially the concepts of racism …show more content…

This repetition emphasizes the idea that the United States has complete and utter control of the Philippines with the “burden” referring to the duty, which the European countries assumed to civilize and liberate all the colonies they gained control over. While Kipling is keeping Americans in mind, he sought to send the message of all the hardships they would face they assisted with the spread of imperialism. However, Kipling also targeted Europeans to reassure them of the conquering of the countries that was occurring under their government’s control. Also from another viewpoint, Kipling directs this poem at imperialists by implying that the uncivilized people were from Africa, which was where Britain was …show more content…

Take for example the quote “Your new-caught, sullen peoples” where one can particularly feel the emotions stir within oneself knowing the mutilation the “burden” imposes on foreigners. The foreigners act completely indifferent and unappreciative to the aid of the imperialists, who are bettering them whether they can tell or not. I also see this as moral justification for the invasion of Africa by Europeans for Africa’s known luxuries and Europe’s own benefits, which encouraged the United States to carry out similar acts of imperialism. Kipling was convincingly implying that it was the duty of the white men to civilize the

Show More
Related

  • Reverend Lyman Abbott's A Proposal For Indian Education

    502 Words  | 2 Pages

    In it, he claims that the “white man’s burden” is the responsibility to colonize and civilize less advanced countries. In this case, Kipling urges America to imperialize the Philippines, however the goal still stood true in American citizen’s minds with regards to all races, indigenous or otherwise. These ideals stood out to Americans in this time, and may have pushed many of them to further support reformation and colonization of the Native

    Read More

  • Wheatley’s Poem On Being Brought from Africa to America

    1905 Words  | 4 Pages

    Wheatley’s poem, “On Being Brought from Africa to America” is part of a set of works that Henry Louis Gates Jr. recognized as a historically significant literary contribution for black Americans and black women (Baym et al. 752). Addressed to the Christians who participated in the slave trade, the poem is meant to reveal the inconsistencies between their actions and the Christian Ideal. Whether perceived as a work of sincerity or a work of irony, the poem conveys the message that an individual’s behaviors are influenced by the examples of others and that all people are equal. Understanding Phillis Wheatley’s intent in her poem, “On Being Brought from Africa to America,” is gained by considering all of the aspects of her existence when analyzing her work and even though perception is based on individual perspective, analysis and explication will reveal the contrariety Phillis Wheatley observed between society and the Christian Ideal and evidence her desire for the dissolution of every inequality.

    Read More

  • The White Man's Burden and The Recessional

    539 Words  | 2 Pages

    In “The White Man’s Burden” and in “The Recessional”, Kipling outlines his idealistic concept of empire which is based on service and sacrifice.

    Read More

  • Poem Essay: An Analysis Of The White Man's Burden

    770 Words  | 2 Pages

    English poet Rudyard Kipling was the genius behind the pen, initially writing the poem specifically for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, which was a celebration to mark her surpassing her grandfather as the longest running monarch in both Scottish, English, and British history. The poem was significantly altered from its original state, going from a prayer describing a powerful, unbroken fate between beings to a poem solely focused on the American colonization of the Philippines, after the Spanish American War. Many readers view this poem differently, with opinions ranging from a justification of imperialism as a noble enterprise, to an example of Eurocentric racism. Despite varying opinions, and different analytical standpoints, Kipling originally wrote the poem with the hope that it would be interpreted as a philanthropic

    Read More

  • Examples Of Masculinity In Beowulf

    1255 Words  | 3 Pages

    Being a man is not as effortless as fitting the stereotypes that society associates a true man with. Such stereotypes are being dominant, controlling, and valorous. Throughout the poem, Kipling makes it a focal point that a man does not dwell, boast, nor sulk. Kipling shatters this modern stereotype of men and re-illustrates what a real man is in his poem. For instance, Kipling states, “if you can keep your head when all about you / Are losing theirs and blaming it on you” (Kipling 1-2). Kipling claims that a true man will not lose his composure no matter the situation even if all around him begin to point their fingers, a real man will maintain his righteous identity despite others trying to tarnish it. Furthermore, Kipling illustrates that a man does not dwell on his failures. For example, Kipling claims that men will “lose, and start again at your beginnings / And never breathe a word about your loss” (Kipling 19-20). Kipling believes that a man will not allow a loss to interfere with the future and will tread on without sulking. In other words, a man will maintain his face and obligations no matter what’s lost. Lastly, Kipling heavily implies that a true man does not boast of his success, by way of example, Kipling states that men “don't look too good, nor talk too wise” (Kipling 8). In modern society a vast majority of men if not all men love to boast of their wealth, intelligence,

    Read More

  • On Being Brought From Africa To America By Phillis Wheatley

    212 Words  | 1 Pages

    “On Being Brought from Africa to America” is a short, lyric poem by African-American poet Phillis Wheatley (1753-1784) that aided her in gaining literary success. Written as an eight line stanza with 10 syllables per line. The poem utilizes rhyme in the joining of the four couplets in the text. The end rhymes are strong, and the italization in the text emphasizes the diction of the poem. The punctuation, specifically the periods, are used to demonstrate the end of a thought or idea in the poem, as well as aid in identifying the shift. The strength of the rhymes suggests that the Wheatley used her choice in language for the end rhymes to fortify the connection between each pair of lines, and to express a specific significance behind the words.

    Read More

  • On Being Brought From Africa To America Summary

    638 Words  | 2 Pages

    Historical experts believe to point to the year 1765 in which she started to produce her own publishable works of poetry, that she gained international attention for in 1770 when her works were first published in the newspaper throughout New England. Now in 1773, ‘On Being Brought From Africa to America’, was found in the first full volume published work by an African American, let alone a woman, ‘Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral’, which examines the theme of adventurism and of spiritual awakening sprouting from being thrust into American society and being shown mercy and understanding through educational well-being. As such she was then a part of the flowering dialogue of the emerging American Republic, using her poems as the English version of ancient heroic Greek neoclassical works. However instead of using her voice as a protest to the slave trade like in ‘On Being Brought From Africa to America’, she surprisingly reveals her menial acceptance of her slave attributes and understanding of the immoral practices it holds. Without a doubt Phillis Wheatley will be known as a classic masterful poet of the time, and has been and will be praised for her astounding

    Read More

  • The White Man’s Burden

    713 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the “White Man’s Burden”, Rudyard Kipling claims that it is the duty or burden of the white men to civilize the non-whites, to educate them and to religiously lift them (lecture notes, 2/8). Kipling is specifically talking about the colonized non-whites (lecture notes, 2/8). The idea that the newly colonized non-whites were lacking and needing help from a greater society was common among American whites at this time (lecture notes, 2/8). Rudyard uses the whites’ public feelings towards the issue and writes “The White Man’s Burden” in an attempt to move the whites to help the non-whites because he thinks it is a very beneficial movement for the U.S.

    Read More

  • Driving Forces Of Imperialism In Africa

    376 Words  | 1 Pages

    The white man’s burden was the one of the biggest driving forces out of them all because the Europeans believed that it was their job to establish imperialism in anywhere that was deemed uncivilized by the europeans in the poem “The white man’s burden” by Rudyard Kipling he says “ Your new-caught,sullen peoples ,/Half-devil and half-child.” He’s depicting

    Read More

  • Rudyard Kipling Research Paper

    533 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rudyard Kipling is considered one of the greatest Victorian poets ever. His incredible construction of poems and children's stories which he wrote give us a glimpse of this incredible man who has many famous poems and stories to his name. Despite his poetry not being acknowledged at a young age, once Kipling moved to England he found himself much more support and respect, which coincided with a period in which he wrote some of his greatest poems. After relocating to East Essex about a decade later, he began to change the style of his stories to cause some imagination in the children who would be reading or listening to them. Also, he was not a poet who would write outside of his beliefs and change things to get more people to read his poems. Rather, Kipling demonstrated honesty and compassion in his poems, which actually caused him to be disliked by many for what they considered to be an outlandish political view. However, this trait is viewed by many, including me, as an important trait for a poet to demonstrate, because poetry was not created for people to have a job and make money; in fact,

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Informal And Informal Imperialism

    640 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kipling wrote this in order to show the European imperialism and the obligation of the civilization. In other words, "The White Man's Burden" is showing that white men have an obligation to rule/encourage the civilizations development as a whole and to be in demand.

    Read More

  • Case Study Questions On Kipling

    943 Words  | 2 Pages

    May critics see Kipling’s stories, especially this one, as supporting the British Empire and glamorizing the men who ruled and worked within it. Others see him as often critical of the Empire and its practices. Which reading do you support? Point to specific passages in your answer.

    Read More

  • What Is Kipling's View Of Imperialism

    833 Words  | 2 Pages

    English journalist, Joseph Rudyard Kipling used his writing to express his complicated views on the expansion of countries and Empires. The Man Who Would Be King, his most famous work, tells the story of two British adventurers and their desire to become kings of a remote part of Afghanistan. The story is told through the eyes of an unnamed narrator and direct quotes from one of the adventurers, Peachy Carnehan. Though Kipling’s other ambiguous works would suggest he may have had a bitter view of imperialism and the British Empire, I think The Man Who Would Be King and other historical pieces by Kipling would suggest a more complex view. Historical connections in the novella and the elements of his novella indicate this.

    Read More

  • Societal Expectations

    562 Words  | 2 Pages

    Kipling uses punctuation as one of his key tools to induce a sarcastic aspect within the tone of the poem. In actuality,

    Read More

  • Rudyard Kipling Essay

    616 Words  | 2 Pages

    His poetry is usually very simple but, it is also very strong in its impact, like his poem If. This poem first appeared in Kipling’s not so praised children’s book Reward and Fairies ...

    Read More

More about White Man's Burden Imperialism

Open Document