The White Man’s The White Man’s BurdenBurden

A View From Rudyard Kipling

Rudyard KiplingRudyard Kipling

English writer

Born in British India

Often wrote of support of imperialism

Died in 1936

The White Man’s BurdenThe White Man’s Burden, 1899, 1899

Written in 1899

Written about the American colonization of the Philippines

Can be seen from various points of view

What is the Burden?

Words to KnowWords to Know

Veil- to become

Folly- stupid mistake w/ serious results

Tawdry- cheaply and badly made

Serf- worker of land they did not own

Cloke- deliberately hide facts

Questions to AnswerQuestions to Answer

1. According to Kipling, and in your own words, what was the “White Man’s Burden”?

2. What reward did Kipling suggest the “White Man” gets for carrying his “burden”?

3. Who did Kipling think would read his poem? What do you think that this audience might have said in response to it?

Interpretations of PoemInterpretations of Poem

White man’s burden is to “civilize” the Africans & Asians

It is Western society’s duty, but is a pain to them—Rich duty to help poor

Colonized people are ungrateful for the help and viewed as children

Some think that Kipling was being sarcastic

The Black Man’s The Black Man’s BurdenBurden, 1899, 1899

A View From H.T. Johnson

H.T. JohnsonH.T. Johnson

African-American clergyman

Wrote in response to Kipling

Words to KnowWords to Know

Heed- to pay attention to advice/warning

Feeble- Extremely weak

Brook- not allow or accept

Questions to AnswerQuestions to Answer

For what audience do you think H.T. Johnson wrote his poem?

How do you think that audience might have responded to “The Black Man’s Burden”?

InterpretationInterpretation

White man’s rule is violent and suppressive

Europeans and Americans have no burden, the real burden is on the colonized

Other races did not ask for the white man’s help or their treatment

Which Viewpoint Tells a Which Viewpoint Tells a More Accurate History?More Accurate History?