The White Man`s Burden
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Transcript The White Man`s Burden
The White Man’s
Burden
A View From Rudyard Kipling
English writer
Born in British India
Often wrote of
support of
imperialism
Died in 1936
Rudyard Kipling
Written in 1899
Written about the American colonization
of the Philippines
Can be seen from various points of view
What is the Burden?
The White Man’s Burden, 1899
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
Words to Know
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?
Questions to Answer
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
Interpretations of Poem
The Black Man’s
Burden, 1899
A View From H.T. Johnson
African-American
clergyman
Wrote in response
to Kipling
H.T. Johnson
Heed- to pay attention to advice/warning
Feeble- Extremely weak
Brook- not allow or accept
Words to Know
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”?
Questions to Answer
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
Interpretation
Which Viewpoint Tells a
More Accurate History?