Intertextual Connections
The White Man's Burden, 1899
Published in The Journal, Detriot
Universal themes, topics, and archetypes appear in books, movies, television, and even video games. You automatically make connections as you consume these media to gain understanding and meaning. Consider one or two connections you have already made between similar characters, themes, settings, topics, proverbs, tones, moods, and word choices you have encountered.
As you read the next literary work, Rudyard Kipling’s poem “The White Man’s Burden,” determine the author’s purpose. Was he promoting Eurocentric thinking (white Europeans have the moral obligation to rule over savage tribes and encourage their cultural development), providing a satirical look at European imperialism, or something else entirely? Most critics would argue that he was promoting the Eurocentric duty and obligation of the white man to force their ways upon other cultures.
Access and read “The White Man’s Burden” by Rudyard Kipling. As you read, analyze the poem and try to determine the purpose of its writing. Was the purpose of this poem a way of promoting a Eurocentric way of thinking? Or was this poem a satirical look at European imperialism?
"The White Man's Burden" Analysis
Although Rudyard Kipling could have had the Ibo tribe or Africa in mind when he wrote “The White Man’s Burden,” he actually published this poem in 1899 commenting on the colonization of the Philippine Islands by the United States. Kipling’s poem can refer to any colonizing nation and even connect with futuristic television shows (the subjugating alien species Borg from Star Trek™) or (The Empire in the Star Wars™ series). In this interactivity, use the previous and next buttons to navigate through each stanza of “The White Man’s Burden” and learn how each of these stanzas relates to imperialism and Things Fall Apart. Click the player button to get started.
View a printable version of this interactivity.
"The White Man's Burden" Review
Are you ready to test your knowledge of Rudyard Kipling’s “The White Man’s Burden”? In this non-graded interactivity, read the question. Then, select the appropriate answer and click SUBMIT. Click the player button to get started.