The White Man

1
The White Mans Burden

• A View From Rudyard Kipling

2
Rudyard Kipling

• English writer
• Born in British India
• Often wrote of support of imperialism
• Died in 1936

3
The White Mans Burden, 1899

• Written in 1899
• Written about the American colonization of the
  Philippines
• Can be seen from various points of view
• What is the Burden?

4
Words 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

5
Questions to Answer

• 1. According to Kipling, and in your own words,
  what was the White Mans 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?

6
Interpretations of Poem

• White mans burden is to civilize the Africans
  Asians
• It is Western societys duty, but is a pain to
  themRich duty to help poor
• Colonized people are ungrateful for the help and
  viewed as children
• Some think that Kipling was being sarcastic

7
The Black Mans Burden, 1899

• A View From H.T. Johnson

8
H.T. Johnson

• African-American clergyman
• Wrote in response to Kipling

9
Words to Know

• Heed- to pay attention to advice/warning
• Feeble- Extremely weak
• Brook- not allow or accept

10
Questions 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 Mans Burden?

11
Interpretation

• White mans 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 mans help
  or their treatment

12
Which Viewpoint Tells a More Accurate History?