Kipling Giving a Positive or Negative Message of Imperialism
After discussing both sides in class, do you believe Kipling was giving a positive or negative message of Imperialism in his poem "The White Man's Burden" and why?
I think that he views this negatively, but for the wrong reasons. For example, he believes it to be negative because they aren't relieving praise for civilizing these people who just want to remain slaves. Kipling is convinced his race is better and should be seen as the saviors of the world doing Gods work. Furthermore, he says that the British are suffering for having to live in these conditions, which they willingly went to. Therefore, I believe that his poem is negative, but it's more pity for the British than anything else.
I disagree with Nick and think that he views it as a positive thing. He believes that it is the British's duty and it is unavoidable. It makes his race look better because Imperialism is so hard to achieve and maintain. His "superior" race is helping other countries.
During that time it was bring "proper" for European civilization to help other nations. The underlying thought was that Europeans were superior. Also that their beliefs were also it was their duty to bring everyone in the world up. During European Imperialism, the white man's burden was often used as a justification for expansion. In my opinion Kipling gives it a positive view. He says imperialism doesn't benefit yourself at all. Thus, you are being a man and helping uncivilized and the un-proper.
It is obvious that he allows this poem to be taken either way. By saying "send forth the best he breed-- go bind your sons to exile to serve your captives' need; to wait in heavy harness, on fluttered folk and wild-- your new-caught, sullen peoples, half-devil and half-child," and "take up the White Man's burden-- and real his old reward: the blame of those ye better, the hate of those ye guard," he makes it seem as though the burden is horrible and you get nothing good from it. Your children become the slaves of these uncivilized lesser human species, and you work so hard to better them, but all you get in return is their hate. Although he does make it seem glorious and honorable when he says "have done with childish days-- the lightly proffered laurel, the easy, ungrudged praise. Comes now, to search your manhood through all the thankless years cold, edged with dear-bought wisdom, the judgement of your peers." This makes it seem like an honorable thing that only the elite superior white men are strong enough to carry out. Overall I agree with the opinion that he is mainly being a critic of the "white mans burden" and discouraging the U.S. to start civilizing and colonizing other peoples.
I believe that he Kipling is viewing imperialism positively. Although it is not obvious, he views imperialism as a good thing because it is what a true man woulld do. Imperialism is obviously a hard task, you must leave friends and family, to go into an unknown land, and probably never come back. No matter who you are, this is a difficult task mentally and physically. Kipling argues that only true men imperialze other countries. It is in fact noble and morally good to go an conquer other areas. He also speaks of helping the natives because they cannot help themselves. Since European men are stronger and superior then natives (according to most Europeans) it is morally right to help the natives. Even the line "take up the white man's burden" related throughout the poem is an example of
Sorry I accidentally hit publish....an example of white men are naturally help others and conquer different countries because they are supiroeor. He is implying the white mans burden is harder then most others, and only true man can uptake that challenge, therefore Kipling is stating that only true and strong men would imperialze different countries, and thats is why it is a good thing in the eyes of Kipling.
I think Kipling sees "taking up the white mans burden" in a positive way. In the beginning, I agree with Paidin that Kipling sees it as a very daunting task to civilize and colonize other areas. In the third stanza in particular he emphasized this. He states the three main goals of Imperialism as peace, preventing famine, and ending sickness. He then says that this could be achieved, if the natives weren't so barbaric and lazy. However in the end he seems to say that although it's a hard, near impossible task, if you can do it successfully it would be awesome. In the last line Kipling mentions "the judgement of your peers" in reference to the British and French. He means that other powerful countries would be impressed with the US. Kipling emphasizes the difficulty of this task, but sees the results of it's success in a positive way
I think that he views this negatively, but for the wrong reasons. For example, he believes it to be negative because they aren't relieving praise for civilizing these people who just want to remain slaves. Kipling is convinced his race is better and should be seen as the saviors of the world doing Gods work. Furthermore, he says that the British are suffering for having to live in these conditions, which they willingly went to. Therefore, I believe that his poem is negative, but it's more pity for the British than anything else.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with Nick and think that he views it as a positive thing. He believes that it is the British's duty and it is unavoidable. It makes his race look better because Imperialism is so hard to achieve and maintain. His "superior" race is helping other countries.
ReplyDeleteDuring that time it was bring "proper" for European civilization to help other nations. The underlying thought was that Europeans were superior. Also that their beliefs were also it was their duty to bring everyone in the world up. During European Imperialism, the white man's burden was often used as a justification for expansion. In my opinion Kipling gives it a positive view. He says imperialism doesn't benefit yourself at all. Thus, you are being a man and helping uncivilized and the un-proper.
ReplyDeleteIt is obvious that he allows this poem to be taken either way. By saying "send forth the best he breed-- go bind your sons to exile to serve your captives' need; to wait in heavy harness, on fluttered folk and wild-- your new-caught, sullen peoples, half-devil and half-child," and "take up the White Man's burden-- and real his old reward: the blame of those ye better, the hate of those ye guard," he makes it seem as though the burden is horrible and you get nothing good from it. Your children become the slaves of these uncivilized lesser human species, and you work so hard to better them, but all you get in return is their hate. Although he does make it seem glorious and honorable when he says "have done with childish days-- the lightly proffered laurel, the easy, ungrudged praise. Comes now, to search your manhood through all the thankless years cold, edged with dear-bought wisdom, the judgement of your peers." This makes it seem like an honorable thing that only the elite superior white men are strong enough to carry out. Overall I agree with the opinion that he is mainly being a critic of the "white mans burden" and discouraging the U.S. to start civilizing and colonizing other peoples.
ReplyDeleteI believe that he Kipling is viewing imperialism positively. Although it is not obvious, he views imperialism as a good thing because it is what a true man woulld do. Imperialism is obviously a hard task, you must leave friends and family, to go into an unknown land, and probably never come back. No matter who you are, this is a difficult task mentally and physically. Kipling argues that only true men imperialze other countries. It is in fact noble and morally good to go an conquer other areas. He also speaks of helping the natives because they cannot help themselves. Since European men are stronger and superior then natives (according to most Europeans) it is morally right to help the natives. Even the line "take up the white man's burden" related throughout the poem is an example of
ReplyDeleteSorry I accidentally hit publish....an example of white men are naturally help others and conquer different countries because they are supiroeor. He is implying the white mans burden is harder then most others, and only true man can uptake that challenge, therefore Kipling is stating that only true and strong men would imperialze different countries, and thats is why it is a good thing in the eyes of Kipling.
ReplyDeleteI think Kipling sees "taking up the white mans burden" in a positive way. In the beginning, I agree with Paidin that Kipling sees it as a very daunting task to civilize and colonize other areas. In the third stanza in particular he emphasized this. He states the three main goals of Imperialism as peace, preventing famine, and ending sickness. He then says that this could be achieved, if the natives weren't so barbaric and lazy. However in the end he seems to say that although it's a hard, near impossible task, if you can do it successfully it would be awesome. In the last line Kipling mentions "the judgement of your peers" in reference to the British and French. He means that other powerful countries would be impressed with the US. Kipling emphasizes the difficulty of this task, but sees the results of it's success in a positive way
ReplyDelete