What is the meaning of "The White Man's Burden" by Rudyard Kipling, and how does this poem connect to Kurtz, Marlow, the "pilgrims," and the natives/Europeans?
I think the meaning of the poem is that greed can lead to irrational colonization in which not only are lands invaded, but explorers are robbed of their morals. They are blinded by the desire to obtain power, that they forget who they are as people. This poem relates to Heart of Darkness due to the lack of purpose and moral that exist in the characters. They are "faithless pilgrims" for the drive of "A New World" or opportunity is absent, so instead they rob the Congolese of their profit and trap them in their field of dehumanization--similar to Brave New World, in which individuals were conditioned with pleasure like the Congolese have been conditioned with fear.
I really like how you connected the novella with Brave New World...and also a bit from the Tempest! I think the Tempest can be seen with Kurtz and the Voice- like Ariel, and how when the characters come on the island their true "id's" come out, just as in Africa- people's true characters are revealed.
"The White Man's Burden" states, in my opinion, that white men are doomed to follow in their fathers' footsteps and colonize lands for their own self-interests. The poem states that their burden is "to seek another's profit and to work another's grain." This line suggests that some colonists do not necessarily wish to remove someone from their land. This notion can be seen within Marlow; he is obviously more interested in the knowledge that he can gain rather than the riches. In terms of "[sending] your sons to exile," Kurtz can be seen as the unlucky explorer who lost his morality when he unknowingly exiled himself away from the civilization he knows. The Congolese, on the other hand, have been robbed of their land, their agriculture, and any other form of profit they possess. According to Kipling, the white man's burden also includes "The blame of those ye better, The hate of those ye guard.." He is undoubtedly speaking about the native's views on civility and the Europeans misconceptions that they are aiding them.
Clara, I agree with the interpretation of the Congolese of being robbed and portrayed as savage and dirty people. However, I don't understand your interpretation of the line "to seek another's profit and to work another's gain." I thought that this line show the willingness to exploit African's labor in order to further their own greedy interest, rather than your suggestion. Why do you think it suggests that colonists wishes someone to remain stagnant on their land?
I really enjoyed reading your response. I think you mentioned some great opinions such as the white men being doomed to follow their fathers' footsteps. As I was reading the poem I noted several times how the white men were almost in a "peer pressure" type of situation. They feel pressured to colonize lands of else they will find "judgment of their peers!".
“The White Man’s Burden” reveals that the white man’s duty is to conquer and civilized distant lands. The poem talks about “send forth the best ye breed- go send your sons to exile” in order to help the “captives’ needs.” Kurtz fits this persona of the “best ye breed,” since he is an educated man from a European descent background and that “all of Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz” (110). He was order to make a report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs for future guidance, which will not only affect European presence in the Congo, but also the people who reside there. The Congolese, or the “captives” notified from the poem, are said to be “half devil and half child.” The devilish characteristics refer to their uncivilized ways (like nudity), but don’t know any better, causing them to be childlike. The white man, according to this poem, but brings these “savages” into the modern era, and the job will bring many “thankless years” for the Europeans; the conquered people will hate the ones that are trying to help them. However, the reward isn’t bringing the civilization to these people, but to get ahead in the competition between European countries, who are trying to become wealthier than the other by exploiting the land (Marlowe had a view similar to this before entering the Congo). Likewise, the pilgrims wish to “seek another’s profit” and become richer off of other’s labor (Congolese, who “work another’s gain”). By doing so, a person can have a sort of pride (as well as curtail other people’s pride- “…and check the show of pride by open speech…”) in their country, which is what Marlowe is seeking, since pride requires a sense of doing right (which is why Marlowe is looking heavily towards Kurtz in order to make sense of the maddening situation he finds himself in). The poem urges the US to follow the “judgment of your peers,” or the European way, of conquering and expanding the US territory.
I really liked how you broke down the poem almost line by line and compared it to the novella. By doing this, I think you covered a lot of details that I missed. :)
Kipling's "The White Man's Burden" depicts a prominent Euro-centric view; the poem based on the belief that it is the "duty" of the Europeans to teach these "half devil and half child" people about civilization. It is their duty to "serve their captives' need" and "to veil the threat of terror." Kipling depicts the colonizers as benevolent people who care about these ungrateful, "sullen peoples." This poem related to Kurtz, since he was one of the sons who was sent to "exile." Kurtz has become a mysterious symbol throughout the novella, who is characterized from the descriptions that others bestow upon him. However, there is one thing that is known for sure about Kurtz, and that is his greed. The Europeans make their people believe that these excursions are to "work another's gain", but they hide their true selfish agendas hidden behind their own "veil." This related to Marlow, because this is where Marlow feels his purpose is. Marlow constantly searches for his own inner truth, who believes that he is going on an endeavor that will benefit his country. Another relation comes from the native and European relationship that is depicted. The superior whites do everything in their power to tame the savage blacks; they go even further and label the natives as the intruders. Kipling essentially uses this poem to depict the racist and self-centered views around this "taming" of Africa.
I like how you mentioned that the readers are made aware of the mental stance that Marlow/narrator has towards the natives. All in all, I think you really captured the essence of what Kipling is trying to say about the burden of the white men and how the burden is not eased upon it's dispersal amongst the unfortunate, but rather increased upon the white men with things such as guilt and murder.
Hi Luvi, I agree that " Kipling depicts the colonizers as benevolent people who care about these ungrateful, "sullen peoples." He makes them sound like heroes, when in reality they are just men no grater than the people that they are "serving". The part about hiding behind a veil resonated with me because even when some of the Europeans realized they were just exploiting people they were embarrassed of their own "savage" behavior and still put on the front of carrying a burden.
The poem "The White Mans Burden" shows us a world in which non-European cultures are seen as childlike and savage. This view proposes that white people have an obligation to rule over, and encourage the development of, people from other ethnic and cultural backgrounds until they can take their place in the world by fully adopting "Western ways". The term "the white man's burden" can be interpreted as racist, or taken as a symbol for a view of the constant weight everyone is carrying for the white mans fault they are slaves to this torment and hypocrisy which they bring forth. There is also this constant belief that the rich have a moral duty and obligation to help the poor "better" themselves whether the poor want the help or not. The poem is a satire about the way that the Europeans viewed their position in relation to the rest of the world.IT is presumed responsibility of white people to govern and impart their culture to non-white people like its their duty that they must perform, and it was used as a justification for European colonialism.
Maddie, I like the post-colonial view that you are taking here. We seem to live in a society where the "white man is always right" while the rest is wrong-no questions ask. I also like you pointed out the "burden," or the moral duty of the rich to take care of the poor, even though, in the case of the Congo, they only do so to exploit the land and its people to further than own interests.
Hello, I liked how you mentioned how the poem is a way for us to see how non-European cultures are seen as primitive. The poem seems ot be a call to action for all white people to take action against this. What would you say would be the reaction to such a poem if it were to be published now?
I like your connection of the natives being hopless and the Europeans feel as if they are superior and can help them. The Europeans make their actions seem justified even though everyone can see the despair the natives live in.
To Kipling, the white man's burden is the obligation of each European man to go forth and "civilize" the natives of Africa and the Pacific. The poem is a call to action, using stirring language and appeals to emotion to incite the white man to take up his duty. Kipling argues that undertaking the white man's burden proves not only to help the savages of the untamed wilderness but also to serve as a journey of self-discovery. He sees the act of civilizing the natives, through means of force or otherwise, as Europeans' way to give back to the world by spreading their culture. This warped view provides the justification for European intervention in the Congo. While greed and a lust for power truly motivated the European "pilgrims" who journeyed into the darkness, they claimed that they were led by the light of civilization itself. Kurtz embodies this notion; he is hailed by his countrymen as a hero. However, he himself shows the immediate flaws with this view. Driven mad by his sense of superiority, he becomes a corrupt captive of the powers of darkness. Marlow, on the other hand, was motivated to journey to the Congo by a sense of curiosity and eagerness for adventure. With his relatively objective view, he provides the perfect lens to examine both Kurtz's character and the larger institution of European intervention in Africa. He sees the effects of European interference both on the Congo and on the Europeans themselves, and the reader journeys with him as his idealized view of what the Congo would be is replaced by the harsh reality of the darkness within the land.
I really like the first part of yours about "a journey of self-discovery". I believe that's why Marlow went in the first place- to try and find answers to questions. He believed that finding Kurtz- this VOICE, would enlighten him. we see how upset he gets when he believes Kurtz to be dead because now- what's the point of him being in Africa? He doesn't want to exploit and make profit off of ivory- but become enlightened.
Hola Leigh, I really liked how you brought up the two different views that Marlow and Kurtz both give us. Would you say that Marlow is symbolic of the young and eager America that wishes to help civilize the Congo but finds how corrupted and full of darkness it is?
The differences that you've brought up here between Kurtz and Marlow are very interesting. I also find it funny how the Europeans sought to spread the light of civilization, yet in the novella, it's quite clear that they've been blinded by it. It's almost synonymous to succumbing to darkness.
The white man’s burden’s literal meaning is this command to white men to colonize and rule “lesser” nations for the benefit of mother country and the native, savage country. The “white man’s burden” was a way to justify imperialism…making it appear like a noble job. It is racism, it is this Western mindset that they are superior, and it is the dominance of European countries on developing countries. One could take from the poem- the obligation that white people have to rule over and encourage their own culture towards the natives to help them “progress”. This turned in to exploiting the natives…leading to the white people becoming richer and the natives staying poor. I remember learning in AP world something about the “social gospel of wealth” perhaps?? This poem could also be interpreted in such a way- as in a philanthropic viewpoint…where the rich Whites have a civic duty to help the poor. I found it interesting how the “half devil half child” is portrayed to be the poor countries…YET in the novel many times Kurtz and the other pilgrims are greedy and have that “all about me child-like” attitude. This poem connects to Kurtz because this is his whole philosophy. He started off coming here believing he was bringing progress and light to the darkness. The poem really connects to the old Kurtz- now he is mad with greed; “exterminate the brutes!”. Kurtz’s painting connects to the line “(Ah slowly) to the light” just as the lady was drawn with a torch in her hand. Marlow wants to seek salvation- he wants questions answered. He believes that going to the heart of the Congo and really experiencing this will change him and make him content. Marlow has innate racism in him from growing up in Europe, so as the pilgrims do…they see the Congo as a place of inferiors. The pilgrims in HoD can be connected to this poem in the line “send forth the best ye breed” which is ironic because some of the men Marlow meet- their “best quality” is their health. The native/European contrast can be seen with “To seek another profit” “to veil the threat of terror”. The Europeans want to make it appear as if they are helping in Africa when in actuality they are exploiting the natives to death.
I like the way you characterized the white man's burden in relation to Kipling's poem. We focus on the faults in reasoning displayed by the white man at the time, but are you able to see where they were coming from?
The meaning Kipling is attempting to convey through his poem is the message that during the imperialistic age, and perhaps even in other aspects today, the "more civilized" (white man) take it upon themselves to "fix" those less civilized than themselves. The white man feels that they are doing justice in attempting to orient the "savages" in a way they can understand because it is more similar to the way they live; in reality, in may not actually be better for those being colonized. In HOD, the Belgians under rule of King Leopold have taken the liberty of civilizing the Congolese. Kipling says the white man's burden is to "seek another's profit", much like Kurtz and the pilgrims have come to exploit Africa's resources (rubber, ivory, etc.) for their own gain. Much like Kurtz states they must "exterminate all the brutes", Kipling says the white man's burden is to send "the best ye breed" to fix the "new-caught sullen peoples" (155). In addition to this, Kipling warns that the white man's burden will be difficult and to expect to "be done with childish days", much like how Marlow and Kurtz are changed by their experiences in Africa; Kurtz begins to bald (aging) and Marlow is beginning to show signs that he is being affected. Kipling also states that the white's "manhood" is searched and they will endure "thankless years" and the "judgement of [their] peers." This may relate to how Kurtz has become cut off from his life in Europe in his consumption of greed, resulting in thanklessness. It was also made clear by Kipling that those being colonized are percieved as "half devil and half child" and to be "new-caught", much like Kurtz perceives the natives to be "brutes" and the Russian describes the natives as being "simple people", symbolizing the generic European attitude displayed towards the Africans in Heart of Darkness.
It was interesting to see how you connected line about the childish days to the balding of Kurtz and the changes in Marlow because this was a line that I didn't completely understand. Ha Young Kim
“The White Man’s Burden” draws out the arrogance of Europeans as they view themselves to be superior against the “new-caught, sullen peoples,” who are also referred to as “half devil and half child,” which means that the white people see them evil and immature. These people were also called the burden that the whites carried as the white people had to bring civilization and help to save the African people from the darkness that they lived in, according to the eyes of the white people. I didn’t think the poem only applied to the African people, who is what usually comes to mind first, because of the poem’s background where it was published in the beginning of the Philippine-American War. Many white people could have had the same thoughts as the poem as they set out to “save” the foreigners. This poem also depicted the ideas that many of the characters in the novella had. For example, in part 2 of the novella, the narrator examines Kurtz’s seventeen page essay, which discusses how Kurtz believed that the white people should approach the savages while acting like higher figures. Along with this, Kurtz also mentions in his essay, according to the narrator, that “by the simple exercise of will [the white people] can exert a power for good practically unbounded (Conrad 92). Through Kurtz’s writing, the readers were able to see the generic attitude of the whites towards the natives. Also, when looking at the pilgrims of the central station, I was able to see a more detailed view of the white attitudes in the “saving” of the natives as they were motivated by self greed (for ivory), and this is also shown in the poem where it says, “[seeking] another’s profit.” Like the poem, which was mainly about the savages and the white people, I thought the novella drew out the poem well as Kurtz and the pilgrims were drawn out against the natives.
With your mention of how this brings out the arrogance in Europeans, do you think that it is possible that Kipling (the author of The Jungle) meant for this to be taken satirically, with all of his "compliments" taken as insults?
In my opinion, "The White Man's Burden" talks about the white man raising his children to understand they must colonize the less superior nations and rule over them. The white man over time has become accustomed to teaching their children the attitude to have towards other races and cultures. The poem discusses all the sufferings and pain that the white men must go through and watch; however, they must "search for their manhood" and take on this burden to avoid judgment from their peers. Colonization is considered peer pressure because if one country or man participated then others were expected to join or to put their name on a country. This connects to Kurtz because he has a mindset that he is superior to the natives and that he should be treated as a god. "He began with the argument that we whites, from the piont of development we had arrived at, 'must necessarily appear to them (savages) in the nature of supernatural beings.." (117) This was Kurtz opening argument in his 17 page paphlet. He held the notion that he was better and far more superior than the natives and that the land rightfully belonged to him just as the poem states. "To seek another's profit" Kurtz went to the Congo to become wealthy off of the Conogelse's ivory and wealth.
With the lines "Send forth the best ye breed— Go send your sons to exile To serve your captives' need. We can see that the colonist believe that they are the best being put forth and are responsible to help the captives (aka the natives) in their dire need of civilization. We see this "help" sensibility in the white Europeans and at times we see it occur in Marlow as well. We see Kurtz being personified in this poem with the lines: "To seek another’s profit And work another’s gain". We see Kurtz making a fortune off of things that are rightfully his to begin with. The pilgrims also share that same mindset of greed over humanity which is well noted as they are deep in the Congo where their own hearts full of darkness come out and take action.
Jennifer, I really like how you put the lines in your first few sentences! I also like how you said Kurtz was making a fortune because those were his things from the beginning. Some people beg to differ but I think your answer is really good!
Kipling's poem, "The White Man's Burden" iterates how European cultures have to play the role as "superman" in society and save the "half devil and half child" savages from a primitive lifestyle. The poem states "The cry of hosts ye humour/ (Ah slowly) to the light." This suggests the misconception of the European colonies of bringing "light" to the dark countries of Africa, but in actuality they bring terror and grief to the African people. The poem connects with Kurtz because he was an educated European man whose job with the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs was to make a report for future guidance. Kurtz, along with most European powers, came just to maximize profit from the pilgrims and natives. This poem emphasizes the terrors and ignorance by having white "civilized" countries conquer the "primitive" African countries.
Hey Larry, I absolutely agree that Kurtz is now fueled by his own greed, but do you ever think that Kurtz believed he was truly helping the people? Or was he always self-interested? Also, do you disagree with Kipling that we should not go into other countries and help "civilize" the people?
You made a great point about the European's coming in solely for profit and using the idea of "bringing civilization" to mask their clouded judgement. Do you think it's possible that some people actually saw this as a burden worth carrying out, or it really was just a game of who can make the most money out of an unscathed resource?
Rudyard Kipling is stating that white men have this burden of sharing their knowledge with the rest of the world. A play on the idea of if you have something you should share it instead of being selfish. Kurtz and Marlow are part of the people (the white men) who believe that they are bringing enlightenment to this part of Africa through colonization. Additionally, Kurtz especially can be seen as someone who takes the call to action in being in charge of an important station that brings in more ivory than most places, as well as the fact that he wrote a seventeen page pamphlet about how white men become "gods" above the natives as they ease their (white men's) burden by bestowing labor of the utmost worth upon them (natives). It can be seen that this burden leads to the victimization of the natives by the pilgrims who travel to ease their burden, but instead become a part of a corrupt process that treats the natives no better than donkeys.
I like how you brought up the irony of the idea of sharing in this case. The Europeans are sharing what they have and what they believe to be right, but now it is just a case of whether or not they have the right to force that lifestyle on the other people they encounter.
Hey Jennifer, I agree with a lot of your points about how Kurtz sees himself and all Europeans as godly figures that the savages should look up to. However, do you see that it also causes harm to the Europeans as well? If not, why do you think they repeat the madness of the Europeans in the Congo?
This poem is interesting because it still applies to so many issues around today such as US interference with AIDS and the Middle East. Kipling discusses the conflict of do we go and help those who are suffering or do we sit back and watch. While he is satirical, it seems he does urge us to go and help. Even though we go for the wrong reasons have a lot of reprecussions from it. A lot of people agree with Kipling in that as the richest and most powerful country in the world we should go help countries that are not as civilized. This does sound similar to what King Leopold II talks about doing in the Congo. They are supposed to be the "light" in the "darkness" for these "savages." Since Kipling spent time in India, he understands however the dangers of colonization. If you go to a foreign place, you risk death by violence or disease. I think a lot of people read this with the wrong lens because it seems to me that he legitimately believes that we should go colonize the countries that do not have civilization or order. Kipling is indeed urging the United States to go into the Philippines and help the poor people there. There are a lot of connections to Heart of Darkness with this poem. From the first line, "Best ye breed" that is exactly what Kurtz is. "All of Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz...."(Conrad 110). He was the perfect man to send to bring light to the savages, since he came from high status, wealth, and knowledge. When Kipling mentions how uncivilized the people are, it mirrors how the Europeans see the Congolese. The Europeans do not understand the fact that they are cannibals or do not wear clothes or do not have real weaponry. Finally, Kurtz and Marlow show the possible destruction of the Europeans that come from taking this burden. They are changed after all they see in the Congo, and yet they see themselves as showing the savages the right way to live. While their greed consumes their desire to help the people, the Europeans see themselves as higher than the savages, so it is natural for them to take over.
Kipling's poem sums up the idea that it is the White Man's duty to civilize the "sullen peoples" or "half devil-half child[ren]." Clearly, through the use of these descriptions, there is a strong racist tone throughout the poem. Additionally, the White Man is called upon to to seek profit and "work another's gain." Through this, we not only see the racist side, which is involved through assuming that exploiting and taking over these natives will provide profit, but we also see greed and somewhat of an expectation for the White Man to follow in the footsteps of all the other White Men. Conquering and civilizing are tasks that have been completed in the past, so it only makes sense to the Europeans that this tradition will continue. It can be interpreted that the White Man's burden is the native people, but at the same time, the duty of taking over these people is another burden placed on these White Men who are forced to "have done with childish days" and do what they are expected to do.
Kurtz would probably be one of the people setting the standards for the upcoming White Men. Since Kurtz is considered so gifted and is so respected, he would be responsible for presenting the expectation for the other Europeans to meet. The natives obviously represent the ones "brought…from bondage" and Marlow, as a European following in the footsteps of Kurtz, is responsible for taking control of the natives.
Miranda, I really like and agree with your last paragraph talking about Kurtz setting the standards for the white men. Also how you mentioned how the natives represent the one brought from bondage. :)
I like how you use burden to describe the Africans. Also it is so true that the Europeans in the book are unable to accept the Africans as equals which is kind of ironic since they are setting out to make the Africans civilized-like European people.
I like how you said the Europeans' greed is the true motive for civilizing the countries. Do you think that Kurtz civilizes in the same way Marlow does when he works with the Africans, or is Kurtz truly as greedy as the rest of the Europeans?
In his poem “The White Man’s Burden” Kipling views America as a delegate of moral authority. How else could he justify America’s role as, what many have called since, the “policeman” of the world? Kipling’s political stance advocates the diffusion of “civilized” influence in order to bring “progress” to other nations. Many have noted that this kind of “progress” can be mutually beneficial by reducing terrorism around the globe or increasing the life expectancy of those in Third World countries. In many cases, however, the kind of progress Kipling envisions – brought upon by the “best ye breed” – serves to exploit the labor and resources of the “uncivilized” or weaker nation. In Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness Kurtz embodies Kiplings ideology of spreading moral goodness and investing in progress through the tremendous instruments of imperial sovereignty. The “pilgrims” of Conrad’s novel are messengers, perhaps even missionaries, responsible for bringing “light” to a civilization that still resides in the Dark Ages. Just as some did not agree with Kipling’s message, some characters in the novel do not believe in the “guiding light” of civilization. Marlow, for example, is critical of Kurtz’s adherence to imperialistic notions; Kurtz believes in reforming the natives – and is revered and envied by other colonizers. He does, however, fall into a path of corruption, exploiting the natives, stripping the land of its beauty, doing little, it seems, to benefit the Congolese. Is the white man’s “burden,” then, his responsibility to develop others – or his guilt for exploiting others in the name of “progress?”
I really liked the point you brought up in your last sentence. You did a good job of twisting the message of Kipling's poem to show a new side of the issue. Do you think that this guilt plays a role in the plot of Heart of Darkness? Who exhibits this guilt (if anyone)?
I also thought your last sentence was insightful. This "burden" is completely ironic in its moral standards. By "civilizing," the white man is breaking moral boundaries by exploiting and imposing control over others, but at the same time, he's matching the accepted morals of his own country. It makes it difficult to really label the burden as "right" or "wrong" so to speak.
I liked the way you presented the irony of the poem's message. Many would argue that it wasn't at all the white man who truly made sacrifices for Imperialism. I think that perhaps the biggest transgression of the Europeans in the lands they tried to conquer was that they made no attempts to understand the people or landscape. Do you think that there could have been any better approach to Imperialism? What would it be?
America was one of the last to join that terrible race to colonize the various parts of Africa. The poem "The White Man's Burden" is a call to action of sort for America to begin to take on the "role" that Europe had already taken. The role of the white man is to introduce civilization to these "poor, innocent countries." It was up to the white man to introduce concepts such as God and the introduction of "modern technology." However, once again, it can be seen that power is an underlying force in this poem. THe power to even wield civilization and bless various other countries with the idea is solely given to the white man. This idea of the power of civilization being given to the white man appealed to various people; the idea that many can obtain eternal glory. This power slowly corrupted the initial idea of the "the white man's burden" (to bring forth civilization). This corruption slowly gave way to other emotions such as greed and the lust for more power gave way. Perhaps Marlow is symbolic of the initial innocent idea of "the white man's burden." All Marlow sought to do as a child was to explore the pure white expanse covering Africa on the map. Kurtz, on the other hand, is symbolic of what "the white man's burden" became. Kurtz was consumed by the power that the ivory gave him, so consumed in fact that he soon took on the look of ivory itself.
"The White Man's Burden" is a poem that encompasses the view point of the European's in Heart of Darkness. This poem states that the savages of the colonized land are begging to be civilized. However, "To seek another's profit, to work another's gain," effectively shows that the Europeans went to colonize land for their own benefit, rather than to help the natives. This poem is very closely connected to the lives of the characters of Heart of Darkness. "Send forth the best ye breed," is a direct comparison to how Kurtz is known to be the best agent of the savage land as he has exploited the most ivory and money out of the natives. Half devil and half child are adjectives used to describe the native, adjectives that are much alike those used to describes the savages as the quote, "Exterminate all brutes!" (Conrad 171) also clearly shows the hatred against all savages. Ironically, this poem states that the whites must go to serve the captives' needs. The white man that Marlow meets before meeting Kurtz also states that the savages also don't want Kurtz to go. This is quite interesting as the whites in both cases have exploited the land and are very much hated by the natives. This could perhaps show that the colonizers would often mislead themselves into thinking that they were in fact helping the natives even though they were exploiting them?
Rudyard Kipling's, The White Man's Burden has many connections and similarities to Heart of Darkness. The white men in White Man's Burden feel like they have to colonize and fix the savage country. They think they are higher and better and could help the savage people they look down upon. In Heart of Darkness, it is clearly seen that the white people think they are better and superior than the Congolese people. Kurtz is seen as a divine character and Marlow helps the Congo people for a bit. Kurtz would be a prime example for the other white men because he has high status and is respected by many of the people. (Though they are jealous of him.) The white men exploit the "lower status" men to gain money and profit. Their greed overpowers them and it doesn't matter if is hurting them.
White man's burden is the task that white colonizers believed they had to impose their civilization on the black inhabitants of their colonies. However, the poem here describes the greed of the explorers on the lands they have invaded. They become hungry for power and wealth for their self-interest and become unhumanized. This poem relates to the Heart of Darkness because these "pilgrims" take advantages of the natives and rob and take control of their resources and wealth. The Congolese are robbed of their land, wealth, and resources.
Kipling’s poem describes a twisted obligation—the responsibility of the white man to serve his country, namely America in this case, by seeking profit and doing all that is necessary in the name of civilization, even if it means breaking unnamed moral boundaries. (There is some irony in that by breaking such moral boundaries, forcibly exploiting others for the sake of advancement, the White Man is shown to serve a greater “moral” purpose: expanding an empire). Furthermore, it is the white man’s duty to almost “fix” the “uncivilized” people—a calling for America to teach the ways of improvement and progress through some of the worst means possible. This practically screams Kurtz, as he is definitely the physical embodiment of “successful progress.” He is the hunger of imperialism and the extremities to which a country will go to claim its place at the top global hierarchy, representing a greater movement towards civilization—the ultimate figure to follow. But in the midst of shedding light on advancement, he has managed to become blind to his present self and still feels as though he is doing the right thing—“Exterminate all the brutes” (Conrad 46). The “pilgrims” or Europeans that are supposed to be “educating” the masses in advancement are in fact tearing it apart in the name of social justice. This relates to the natives, which are represented as “new-caught, sullen peoples” in the poem and the ultimate victims of imperialistic exploitation besides the land itself. They are burdened by the white man’s burden, since progress is practically being thrust upon them, and they have absolutely no say in the matter. But then there’s Marlow, who represents someone that, while being a person responsible for bringing the light of advancement to the masses, does not want to undertake this “burden.” In other words, he has a choice in his participation. He represents the voices against imperialism and those who sought to see the effects of “progress” for what they really were—a search for truth in the blinding light of civilization.
I like how you drew attention to the irony as well as the haziness of "moral boundaries". It connects well to HoD because Kurtz is oppressing the natives, yet they idolize him. It becomes difficult to classify Kurtz as good or bad because it depends on what point of view you take. His possible insanity introduces another element to complicate matters. Can you hold a man accountable for his actions even if he isn't totally there psychologically?
“The White Man’s Burden” is a call to arms to make war on savage people and savage ways of life--No, not actual war, but war on cultures and land. “White Man’s Burden” means that the European’s viewed colonization and imperialism as their God given duty. “Take up the White Man's burden-- Ye dare not stoop to less-“ . Although it is a call to arms, it is not written in a combative manner. It reveals the honest intentions that some of the European’s may have held before they spread out to physically conquer the other nations. Kipling assumes that the Europeans taking up the burden are upright persons truly looking out for the good of man. He knows that “The silent, sullen peoples shall weigh your gods and you” and he wants them to stand up to the challenge. After peeling away the surface meaning of the poem, “White man’s Burden” stands as a symbol of corruption, and how easily things can get corrupted by forces like greed and power. When the European’s are sent out to these nation’s they are regular people, but like Kurtz in the solitude imperialists/pilgrims (from being separate from the societies they live in) they lose the warning voice and become greedy and power hungry. There is no “public opinion” or “police officers” in the countries they travel to. They have to rely on their more base nature which is often driven by the id ,or desires, instead of the part of the brain that makes humans compassionate and nurturing.
I like how you unveiled the different levels of this poem. You explained the surface meaning and then dove deeper to reveal the fallacies in the poem and in the idea of the the white man's burden. I loved how you brought in reality vs. illusion with this line: "His view of imperialism shows a backwards reality, as he portrays the white man as the slave to the African people’s welfare, when in fact the natives are the true slaves unto the demands of imperialism for resources and labor." I think that concept will be key to the rest of the story!
In my opinion “The White Man’s Burden” expresses the idea that the white men are almost programmed to colonize another land. They must send the men abroad to serve the natives, which are seen as wild, angry, childish and devilish. Teaching the “savage” is the ideal way of life, it’s the right thing to do. I viewed the term “The White Man’s Burden” as condescending towards anyone that didn’t follow the way of the white man. This poem shows how Kurtz once was all about teaching and reestablishing the savage ways of the pilgrims, but as he travels farther into Africa greed overpowered him, causing him to want more and more. How much is enough, when will they decide to leave, will they ever leave? Greed has always been the true European motive, it was just said to be “trade” so it was somewhat acceptable. Fear was implanted into the Africans so that the Europeans could steal what they wanted without any struggle.
I believe that the meaning of "the White Man's Burden" is ultimately the sacrifices that the Europeans and British have to take such as colonizing the rest of the world in order to fulfill what they see as their purpose in life. Kipling sees that colonizing is the right thing to do and has to be done by the higher people. He sees that being the one to do the right thing by ruining other people's lives is actually the greatest ruin to experience in life. This poem relates back to the Heart of Darkness because it shows that the US should be like Marlow and work with the Europeans. Marlow (representing the US) desires to meet Kurtz (representing Europeans and British) -- he desires to meet the sacrifices that you must take in order to do what is perceived as the right thing for the world.
I can't tell if the poem is meant to be ironic and discourage slavery or it is simply written matter of factly. If it is the latter, then it describes the natural pattern of dominance of the westerners over the "untamed people". It describes the sense of responsibility to spread western ideas to the savages and the desire to manipulate the natives for the benefit of the colonizers. These ideas are both evident in The Heart of Darkness. If the poem is meant to be ironic, then it takes the ideas above and points light to the fact that these reasons are just a facade used to camouflage their selfish intentions. Either way, Kurtz and his practices come to mind especially when the poem hints that only the best members of society can succeed in colonization by saying "send forth the best ye breed". I just can't figure out the title of the poem. He says it is a burden, yet Kipling spends the whole poem describing how colonizers choose to conquer other places.
This poem is about imperialistic values and the "white man" feeling obligated to establish authority and power in other countries. I felt like this poem emphasizes how the typical European male follows the same footsteps as their father, grandfathers and so on. The "white man's burden" is the obligation white men have to enforcing their own values and gaining authority in weaker countries. This poem is saying that white man have a tendency to follow the foot steps in the white man before him. They feel as though what they're doing is what they were put on this Earth to do. First time that I read this poem I didn't think it would still apply to today's time, but then I thought about the United States and the middle eastern countries. US claims they're attempting to help the middle east because they are "corrupt", but what make are way of living right? This just goes to show that the "white man" is always trying to impose their values on "lesser: countries because they feel like their way is the right way. I related this to HoD because Kurtz initially travels to the Congo to search for ivory. Unlike the rest of the European "pilgrims" Kurtz gets devoured by the greed of ivory and becomes blind to his own madness. Kurtz sees this evil that exist in humanity. When Kurtz writes "Exterminate all the brutes" he is saying get rid of all the evil. Get rid of the "white man's burden." Although Kurtz sees this evil he contradicts himself because he initial is doing the same as the "pilgrims."
I think the meaning of the poem is that greed can lead to irrational colonization in which not only are lands invaded, but explorers are robbed of their morals. They are blinded by the desire to obtain power, that they forget who they are as people. This poem relates to Heart of Darkness due to the lack of purpose and moral that exist in the characters. They are "faithless pilgrims" for the drive of "A New World" or opportunity is absent, so instead they rob the Congolese of their profit and trap them in their field of dehumanization--similar to Brave New World, in which individuals were conditioned with pleasure like the Congolese have been conditioned with fear.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you connected the novella with Brave New World...and also a bit from the Tempest! I think the Tempest can be seen with Kurtz and the Voice- like Ariel, and how when the characters come on the island their true "id's" come out, just as in Africa- people's true characters are revealed.
Delete"The White Man's Burden" states, in my opinion, that white men are doomed to follow in their fathers' footsteps and colonize lands for their own self-interests. The poem states that their burden is "to seek another's profit and to work another's grain." This line suggests that some colonists do not necessarily wish to remove someone from their land. This notion can be seen within Marlow; he is obviously more interested in the knowledge that he can gain rather than the riches. In terms of "[sending] your sons to exile," Kurtz can be seen as the unlucky explorer who lost his morality when he unknowingly exiled himself away from the civilization he knows. The Congolese, on the other hand, have been robbed of their land, their agriculture, and any other form of profit they possess. According to Kipling, the white man's burden also includes "The blame of those ye better, The hate of those ye guard.." He is undoubtedly speaking about the native's views on civility and the Europeans misconceptions that they are aiding them.
ReplyDeleteClara, I agree with the interpretation of the Congolese of being robbed and portrayed as savage and dirty people. However, I don't understand your interpretation of the line "to seek another's profit and to work another's gain." I thought that this line show the willingness to exploit African's labor in order to further their own greedy interest, rather than your suggestion. Why do you think it suggests that colonists wishes someone to remain stagnant on their land?
DeleteI really enjoyed reading your response. I think you mentioned some great opinions such as the white men being doomed to follow their fathers' footsteps. As I was reading the poem I noted several times how the white men were almost in a "peer pressure" type of situation. They feel pressured to colonize lands of else they will find "judgment of their peers!".
Delete“The White Man’s Burden” reveals that the white man’s duty is to conquer and civilized distant lands. The poem talks about “send forth the best ye breed- go send your sons to exile” in order to help the “captives’ needs.” Kurtz fits this persona of the “best ye breed,” since he is an educated man from a European descent background and that “all of Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz” (110). He was order to make a report for the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs for future guidance, which will not only affect European presence in the Congo, but also the people who reside there. The Congolese, or the “captives” notified from the poem, are said to be “half devil and half child.” The devilish characteristics refer to their uncivilized ways (like nudity), but don’t know any better, causing them to be childlike. The white man, according to this poem, but brings these “savages” into the modern era, and the job will bring many “thankless years” for the Europeans; the conquered people will hate the ones that are trying to help them. However, the reward isn’t bringing the civilization to these people, but to get ahead in the competition between European countries, who are trying to become wealthier than the other by exploiting the land (Marlowe had a view similar to this before entering the Congo). Likewise, the pilgrims wish to “seek another’s profit” and become richer off of other’s labor (Congolese, who “work another’s gain”). By doing so, a person can have a sort of pride (as well as curtail other people’s pride- “…and check the show of pride by open speech…”) in their country, which is what Marlowe is seeking, since pride requires a sense of doing right (which is why Marlowe is looking heavily towards Kurtz in order to make sense of the maddening situation he finds himself in). The poem urges the US to follow the “judgment of your peers,” or the European way, of conquering and expanding the US territory.
ReplyDeleteI really liked how you broke down the poem almost line by line and compared it to the novella. By doing this, I think you covered a lot of details that I missed. :)
Delete^Ha Young Kim
DeleteKipling's "The White Man's Burden" depicts a prominent Euro-centric view; the poem based on the belief that it is the "duty" of the Europeans to teach these "half devil and half child" people about civilization. It is their duty to "serve their captives' need" and "to veil the threat of terror." Kipling depicts the colonizers as benevolent people who care about these ungrateful, "sullen peoples." This poem related to Kurtz, since he was one of the sons who was sent to "exile." Kurtz has become a mysterious symbol throughout the novella, who is characterized from the descriptions that others bestow upon him. However, there is one thing that is known for sure about Kurtz, and that is his greed. The Europeans make their people believe that these excursions are to "work another's gain", but they hide their true selfish agendas hidden behind their own "veil." This related to Marlow, because this is where Marlow feels his purpose is. Marlow constantly searches for his own inner truth, who believes that he is going on an endeavor that will benefit his country. Another relation comes from the native and European relationship that is depicted. The superior whites do everything in their power to tame the savage blacks; they go even further and label the natives as the intruders. Kipling essentially uses this poem to depict the racist and self-centered views around this "taming" of Africa.
ReplyDeleteI like how you mentioned that the readers are made aware of the mental stance that Marlow/narrator has towards the natives. All in all, I think you really captured the essence of what Kipling is trying to say about the burden of the white men and how the burden is not eased upon it's dispersal amongst the unfortunate, but rather increased upon the white men with things such as guilt and murder.
DeleteHi Luvi,
DeleteI agree that " Kipling depicts the colonizers as benevolent people who care about these ungrateful, "sullen peoples." He makes them sound like heroes, when in reality they are just men no grater than the people that they are "serving". The part about hiding behind a veil resonated with me because even when some of the Europeans realized they were just exploiting people they were embarrassed of their own "savage" behavior and still put on the front of carrying a burden.
The poem "The White Mans Burden" shows us a world in which non-European cultures are seen as childlike and savage. This view proposes that white people have an obligation to rule over, and encourage the development of, people from other ethnic and cultural backgrounds until they can take their place in the world by fully adopting "Western ways". The term "the white man's burden" can be interpreted as racist, or taken as a symbol for a view of the constant weight everyone is carrying for the white mans fault they are slaves to this torment and hypocrisy which they bring forth. There is also this constant belief that the rich have a moral duty and obligation to help the poor "better" themselves whether the poor want the help or not.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is a satire about the way that the Europeans viewed their position in relation to the rest of the world.IT is presumed responsibility of white people to govern and impart their culture to non-white people like its their duty that they must perform, and it was used as a justification for European colonialism.
Maddie, I like the post-colonial view that you are taking here. We seem to live in a society where the "white man is always right" while the rest is wrong-no questions ask. I also like you pointed out the "burden," or the moral duty of the rich to take care of the poor, even though, in the case of the Congo, they only do so to exploit the land and its people to further than own interests.
DeleteHello, I liked how you mentioned how the poem is a way for us to see how non-European cultures are seen as primitive. The poem seems ot be a call to action for all white people to take action against this. What would you say would be the reaction to such a poem if it were to be published now?
DeleteI like your connection of the natives being hopless and the Europeans feel as if they are superior and can help them. The Europeans make their actions seem justified even though everyone can see the despair the natives live in.
ReplyDeleteTo Kipling, the white man's burden is the obligation of each European man to go forth and "civilize" the natives of Africa and the Pacific. The poem is a call to action, using stirring language and appeals to emotion to incite the white man to take up his duty. Kipling argues that undertaking the white man's burden proves not only to help the savages of the untamed wilderness but also to serve as a journey of self-discovery. He sees the act of civilizing the natives, through means of force or otherwise, as Europeans' way to give back to the world by spreading their culture. This warped view provides the justification for European intervention in the Congo. While greed and a lust for power truly motivated the European "pilgrims" who journeyed into the darkness, they claimed that they were led by the light of civilization itself. Kurtz embodies this notion; he is hailed by his countrymen as a hero. However, he himself shows the immediate flaws with this view. Driven mad by his sense of superiority, he becomes a corrupt captive of the powers of darkness. Marlow, on the other hand, was motivated to journey to the Congo by a sense of curiosity and eagerness for adventure. With his relatively objective view, he provides the perfect lens to examine both Kurtz's character and the larger institution of European intervention in Africa. He sees the effects of European interference both on the Congo and on the Europeans themselves, and the reader journeys with him as his idealized view of what the Congo would be is replaced by the harsh reality of the darkness within the land.
ReplyDeleteI really like the first part of yours about "a journey of self-discovery". I believe that's why Marlow went in the first place- to try and find answers to questions. He believed that finding Kurtz- this VOICE, would enlighten him. we see how upset he gets when he believes Kurtz to be dead because now- what's the point of him being in Africa? He doesn't want to exploit and make profit off of ivory- but become enlightened.
DeleteHola Leigh, I really liked how you brought up the two different views that Marlow and Kurtz both give us. Would you say that Marlow is symbolic of the young and eager America that wishes to help civilize the Congo but finds how corrupted and full of darkness it is?
DeleteIt's a Leigh.
DeleteThe differences that you've brought up here between Kurtz and Marlow are very interesting. I also find it funny how the Europeans sought to spread the light of civilization, yet in the novella, it's quite clear that they've been blinded by it. It's almost synonymous to succumbing to darkness.
The white man’s burden’s literal meaning is this command to white men to colonize and rule “lesser” nations for the benefit of mother country and the native, savage country. The “white man’s burden” was a way to justify imperialism…making it appear like a noble job. It is racism, it is this Western mindset that they are superior, and it is the dominance of European countries on developing countries. One could take from the poem- the obligation that white people have to rule over and encourage their own culture towards the natives to help them “progress”. This turned in to exploiting the natives…leading to the white people becoming richer and the natives staying poor. I remember learning in AP world something about the “social gospel of wealth” perhaps?? This poem could also be interpreted in such a way- as in a philanthropic viewpoint…where the rich Whites have a civic duty to help the poor. I found it interesting how the “half devil half child” is portrayed to be the poor countries…YET in the novel many times Kurtz and the other pilgrims are greedy and have that “all about me child-like” attitude. This poem connects to Kurtz because this is his whole philosophy. He started off coming here believing he was bringing progress and light to the darkness. The poem really connects to the old Kurtz- now he is mad with greed; “exterminate the brutes!”. Kurtz’s painting connects to the line “(Ah slowly) to the light” just as the lady was drawn with a torch in her hand. Marlow wants to seek salvation- he wants questions answered. He believes that going to the heart of the Congo and really experiencing this will change him and make him content. Marlow has innate racism in him from growing up in Europe, so as the pilgrims do…they see the Congo as a place of inferiors. The pilgrims in HoD can be connected to this poem in the line “send forth the best ye breed” which is ironic because some of the men Marlow meet- their “best quality” is their health. The native/European contrast can be seen with “To seek another profit” “to veil the threat of terror”. The Europeans want to make it appear as if they are helping in Africa when in actuality they are exploiting the natives to death.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you characterized the white man's burden in relation to Kipling's poem. We focus on the faults in reasoning displayed by the white man at the time, but are you able to see where they were coming from?
DeleteThe meaning Kipling is attempting to convey through his poem is the message that during the imperialistic age, and perhaps even in other aspects today, the "more civilized" (white man) take it upon themselves to "fix" those less civilized than themselves. The white man feels that they are doing justice in attempting to orient the "savages" in a way they can understand because it is more similar to the way they live; in reality, in may not actually be better for those being colonized.
ReplyDeleteIn HOD, the Belgians under rule of King Leopold have taken the liberty of civilizing the Congolese. Kipling says the white man's burden is to "seek another's profit", much like Kurtz and the pilgrims have come to exploit Africa's resources (rubber, ivory, etc.) for their own gain. Much like Kurtz states they must "exterminate all the brutes", Kipling says the white man's burden is to send "the best ye breed" to fix the "new-caught sullen peoples" (155). In addition to this, Kipling warns that the white man's burden will be difficult and to expect to "be done with childish days", much like how Marlow and Kurtz are changed by their experiences in Africa; Kurtz begins to bald (aging) and Marlow is beginning to show signs that he is being affected. Kipling also states that the white's "manhood" is searched and they will endure "thankless years" and the "judgement of [their] peers." This may relate to how Kurtz has become cut off from his life in Europe in his consumption of greed, resulting in thanklessness.
It was also made clear by Kipling that those being colonized are percieved as "half devil and half child" and to be "new-caught", much like Kurtz perceives the natives to be "brutes" and the Russian describes the natives as being "simple people", symbolizing the generic European attitude displayed towards the Africans in Heart of Darkness.
It was interesting to see how you connected line about the childish days to the balding of Kurtz and the changes in Marlow because this was a line that I didn't completely understand.
DeleteHa Young Kim
“The White Man’s Burden” draws out the arrogance of Europeans as they view themselves to be superior against the “new-caught, sullen peoples,” who are also referred to as “half devil and half child,” which means that the white people see them evil and immature. These people were also called the burden that the whites carried as the white people had to bring civilization and help to save the African people from the darkness that they lived in, according to the eyes of the white people. I didn’t think the poem only applied to the African people, who is what usually comes to mind first, because of the poem’s background where it was published in the beginning of the Philippine-American War. Many white people could have had the same thoughts as the poem as they set out to “save” the foreigners. This poem also depicted the ideas that many of the characters in the novella had. For example, in part 2 of the novella, the narrator examines Kurtz’s seventeen page essay, which discusses how Kurtz believed that the white people should approach the savages while acting like higher figures. Along with this, Kurtz also mentions in his essay, according to the narrator, that “by the simple exercise of will [the white people] can exert a power for good practically unbounded (Conrad 92). Through Kurtz’s writing, the readers were able to see the generic attitude of the whites towards the natives. Also, when looking at the pilgrims of the central station, I was able to see a more detailed view of the white attitudes in the “saving” of the natives as they were motivated by self greed (for ivory), and this is also shown in the poem where it says, “[seeking] another’s profit.” Like the poem, which was mainly about the savages and the white people, I thought the novella drew out the poem well as Kurtz and the pilgrims were drawn out against the natives.
ReplyDeleteHa Young Kim (4th Block)
DeleteWith your mention of how this brings out the arrogance in Europeans, do you think that it is possible that Kipling (the author of The Jungle) meant for this to be taken satirically, with all of his "compliments" taken as insults?
DeleteIn my opinion, "The White Man's Burden" talks about the white man raising his children to understand they must colonize the less superior nations and rule over them. The white man over time has become accustomed to teaching their children the attitude to have towards other races and cultures. The poem discusses all the sufferings and pain that the white men must go through and watch; however, they must "search for their manhood" and take on this burden to avoid judgment from their peers. Colonization is considered peer pressure because if one country or man participated then others were expected to join or to put their name on a country. This connects to Kurtz because he has a mindset that he is superior to the natives and that he should be treated as a god. "He began with the argument that we whites, from the piont of development we had arrived at, 'must necessarily appear to them (savages) in the nature of supernatural beings.." (117) This was Kurtz opening argument in his 17 page paphlet. He held the notion that he was better and far more superior than the natives and that the land rightfully belonged to him just as the poem states. "To seek another's profit" Kurtz went to the Congo to become wealthy off of the Conogelse's ivory and wealth.
ReplyDeleteWith the lines "Send forth the best ye breed—
ReplyDeleteGo send your sons to exile
To serve your captives' need. We can see that the colonist believe that they are the best being put forth and are responsible to help the captives (aka the natives) in their dire need of civilization. We see this "help" sensibility in the white Europeans and at times we see it occur in Marlow as well. We see Kurtz being personified in this poem with the lines: "To seek another’s profit
And work another’s gain". We see Kurtz making a fortune off of things that are rightfully his to begin with. The pilgrims also share that same mindset of greed over humanity which is well noted as they are deep in the Congo where their own hearts full of darkness come out and take action.
Jennifer, I really like how you put the lines in your first few sentences! I also like how you said Kurtz was making a fortune because those were his things from the beginning. Some people beg to differ but I think your answer is really good!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteKipling's poem, "The White Man's Burden" iterates how European cultures have to play the role as "superman" in society and save the "half devil and half child" savages from a primitive lifestyle. The poem states "The cry of hosts ye humour/ (Ah slowly) to the light." This suggests the misconception of the European colonies of bringing "light" to the dark countries of Africa, but in actuality they bring terror and grief to the African people. The poem connects with Kurtz because he was an educated European man whose job with the International Society for the Suppression of Savage Customs was to make a report for future guidance. Kurtz, along with most European powers, came just to maximize profit from the pilgrims and natives. This poem emphasizes the terrors and ignorance by having white "civilized" countries conquer the "primitive" African countries.
ReplyDeleteHey Larry,
DeleteI absolutely agree that Kurtz is now fueled by his own greed, but do you ever think that Kurtz believed he was truly helping the people? Or was he always self-interested? Also, do you disagree with Kipling that we should not go into other countries and help "civilize" the people?
You made a great point about the European's coming in solely for profit and using the idea of "bringing civilization" to mask their clouded judgement. Do you think it's possible that some people actually saw this as a burden worth carrying out, or it really was just a game of who can make the most money out of an unscathed resource?
DeleteRudyard Kipling is stating that white men have this burden of sharing their knowledge with the rest of the world. A play on the idea of if you have something you should share it instead of being selfish. Kurtz and Marlow are part of the people (the white men) who believe that they are bringing enlightenment to this part of Africa through colonization. Additionally, Kurtz especially can be seen as someone who takes the call to action in being in charge of an important station that brings in more ivory than most places, as well as the fact that he wrote a seventeen page pamphlet about how white men become "gods" above the natives as they ease their (white men's) burden by bestowing labor of the utmost worth upon them (natives). It can be seen that this burden leads to the victimization of the natives by the pilgrims who travel to ease their burden, but instead become a part of a corrupt process that treats the natives no better than donkeys.
ReplyDeleteI like how you brought up the irony of the idea of sharing in this case. The Europeans are sharing what they have and what they believe to be right, but now it is just a case of whether or not they have the right to force that lifestyle on the other people they encounter.
DeleteHey Jennifer,
DeleteI agree with a lot of your points about how Kurtz sees himself and all Europeans as godly figures that the savages should look up to. However, do you see that it also causes harm to the Europeans as well? If not, why do you think they repeat the madness of the Europeans in the Congo?
This poem is interesting because it still applies to so many issues around today such as US interference with AIDS and the Middle East. Kipling discusses the conflict of do we go and help those who are suffering or do we sit back and watch. While he is satirical, it seems he does urge us to go and help. Even though we go for the wrong reasons have a lot of reprecussions from it. A lot of people agree with Kipling in that as the richest and most powerful country in the world we should go help countries that are not as civilized. This does sound similar to what King Leopold II talks about doing in the Congo. They are supposed to be the "light" in the "darkness" for these "savages." Since Kipling spent time in India, he understands however the dangers of colonization. If you go to a foreign place, you risk death by violence or disease. I think a lot of people read this with the wrong lens because it seems to me that he legitimately believes that we should go colonize the countries that do not have civilization or order. Kipling is indeed urging the United States to go into the Philippines and help the poor people there. There are a lot of connections to Heart of Darkness with this poem. From the first line, "Best ye breed" that is exactly what Kurtz is. "All of Europe contributed to the making of Kurtz...."(Conrad 110). He was the perfect man to send to bring light to the savages, since he came from high status, wealth, and knowledge. When Kipling mentions how uncivilized the people are, it mirrors how the Europeans see the Congolese. The Europeans do not understand the fact that they are cannibals or do not wear clothes or do not have real weaponry. Finally, Kurtz and Marlow show the possible destruction of the Europeans that come from taking this burden. They are changed after all they see in the Congo, and yet they see themselves as showing the savages the right way to live. While their greed consumes their desire to help the people, the Europeans see themselves as higher than the savages, so it is natural for them to take over.
ReplyDeleteKipling's poem sums up the idea that it is the White Man's duty to civilize the "sullen peoples" or "half devil-half child[ren]." Clearly, through the use of these descriptions, there is a strong racist tone throughout the poem. Additionally, the White Man is called upon to to seek profit and "work another's gain." Through this, we not only see the racist side, which is involved through assuming that exploiting and taking over these natives will provide profit, but we also see greed and somewhat of an expectation for the White Man to follow in the footsteps of all the other White Men. Conquering and civilizing are tasks that have been completed in the past, so it only makes sense to the Europeans that this tradition will continue. It can be interpreted that the White Man's burden is the native people, but at the same time, the duty of taking over these people is another burden placed on these White Men who are forced to "have done with childish days" and do what they are expected to do.
ReplyDeleteKurtz would probably be one of the people setting the standards for the upcoming White Men. Since Kurtz is considered so gifted and is so respected, he would be responsible for presenting the expectation for the other Europeans to meet. The natives obviously represent the ones "brought…from bondage" and Marlow, as a European following in the footsteps of Kurtz, is responsible for taking control of the natives.
Miranda, I really like and agree with your last paragraph talking about Kurtz setting the standards for the white men. Also how you mentioned how the natives represent the one brought from bondage. :)
DeleteI like how you use burden to describe the Africans. Also it is so true that the Europeans in the book are unable to accept the Africans as equals which is kind of ironic since they are setting out to make the Africans civilized-like European people.
ReplyDeleteI like how you said the Europeans' greed is the true motive for civilizing the countries. Do you think that Kurtz civilizes in the same way Marlow does when he works with the Africans, or is Kurtz truly as greedy as the rest of the Europeans?
ReplyDeleteIn his poem “The White Man’s Burden” Kipling views America as a delegate of moral authority. How else could he justify America’s role as, what many have called since, the “policeman” of the world? Kipling’s political stance advocates the diffusion of “civilized” influence in order to bring “progress” to other nations. Many have noted that this kind of “progress” can be mutually beneficial by reducing terrorism around the globe or increasing the life expectancy of those in Third World countries. In many cases, however, the kind of progress Kipling envisions – brought upon by the “best ye breed” – serves to exploit the labor and resources of the “uncivilized” or weaker nation. In Conrad’s novel Heart of Darkness Kurtz embodies Kiplings ideology of spreading moral goodness and investing in progress through the tremendous instruments of imperial sovereignty. The “pilgrims” of Conrad’s novel are messengers, perhaps even missionaries, responsible for bringing “light” to a civilization that still resides in the Dark Ages. Just as some did not agree with Kipling’s message, some characters in the novel do not believe in the “guiding light” of civilization. Marlow, for example, is critical of Kurtz’s adherence to imperialistic notions; Kurtz believes in reforming the natives – and is revered and envied by other colonizers. He does, however, fall into a path of corruption, exploiting the natives, stripping the land of its beauty, doing little, it seems, to benefit the Congolese. Is the white man’s “burden,” then, his responsibility to develop others – or his guilt for exploiting others in the name of “progress?”
ReplyDeleteHi, Mehul!
DeleteI really liked the point you brought up in your last sentence. You did a good job of twisting the message of Kipling's poem to show a new side of the issue. Do you think that this guilt plays a role in the plot of Heart of Darkness? Who exhibits this guilt (if anyone)?
-Leigh
Mehurrr c:
DeleteI also thought your last sentence was insightful. This "burden" is completely ironic in its moral standards. By "civilizing," the white man is breaking moral boundaries by exploiting and imposing control over others, but at the same time, he's matching the accepted morals of his own country. It makes it difficult to really label the burden as "right" or "wrong" so to speak.
Hi, Julie!
ReplyDeleteI liked the way you presented the irony of the poem's message. Many would argue that it wasn't at all the white man who truly made sacrifices for Imperialism. I think that perhaps the biggest transgression of the Europeans in the lands they tried to conquer was that they made no attempts to understand the people or landscape. Do you think that there could have been any better approach to Imperialism? What would it be?
-Leigh
America was one of the last to join that terrible race to colonize the various parts of Africa. The poem "The White Man's Burden" is a call to action of sort for America to begin to take on the "role" that Europe had already taken. The role of the white man is to introduce civilization to these "poor, innocent countries." It was up to the white man to introduce concepts such as God and the introduction of "modern technology." However, once again, it can be seen that power is an underlying force in this poem. THe power to even wield civilization and bless various other countries with the idea is solely given to the white man. This idea of the power of civilization being given to the white man appealed to various people; the idea that many can obtain eternal glory. This power slowly corrupted the initial idea of the "the white man's burden" (to bring forth civilization). This corruption slowly gave way to other emotions such as greed and the lust for more power gave way. Perhaps Marlow is symbolic of the initial innocent idea of "the white man's burden." All Marlow sought to do as a child was to explore the pure white expanse covering Africa on the map. Kurtz, on the other hand, is symbolic of what "the white man's burden" became. Kurtz was consumed by the power that the ivory gave him, so consumed in fact that he soon took on the look of ivory itself.
ReplyDelete"The White Man's Burden" is a poem that encompasses the view point of the European's in Heart of Darkness. This poem states that the savages of the colonized land are begging to be civilized. However, "To seek another's profit, to work another's gain," effectively shows that the Europeans went to colonize land for their own benefit, rather than to help the natives. This poem is very closely connected to the lives of the characters of Heart of Darkness. "Send forth the best ye breed," is a direct comparison to how Kurtz is known to be the best agent of the savage land as he has exploited the most ivory and money out of the natives. Half devil and half child are adjectives used to describe the native, adjectives that are much alike those used to describes the savages as the quote, "Exterminate all brutes!" (Conrad 171) also clearly shows the hatred against all savages. Ironically, this poem states that the whites must go to serve the captives' needs. The white man that Marlow meets before meeting Kurtz also states that the savages also don't want Kurtz to go. This is quite interesting as the whites in both cases have exploited the land and are very much hated by the natives. This could perhaps show that the colonizers would often mislead themselves into thinking that they were in fact helping the natives even though they were exploiting them?
ReplyDeleteI like your connection between Kurtz and the line send forth the best ye breed. I think it is spot on.
DeleteRudyard Kipling's, The White Man's Burden has many connections and similarities to Heart of Darkness. The white men in White Man's Burden feel like they have to colonize and fix the savage country. They think they are higher and better and could help the savage people they look down upon. In Heart of Darkness, it is clearly seen that the white people think they are better and superior than the Congolese people. Kurtz is seen as a divine character and Marlow helps the Congo people for a bit. Kurtz would be a prime example for the other white men because he has high status and is respected by many of the people. (Though they are jealous of him.) The white men exploit the "lower status" men to gain money and profit. Their greed overpowers them and it doesn't matter if is hurting them.
ReplyDeleteWhite man's burden is the task that white colonizers believed they had to impose their civilization on the black inhabitants of their colonies. However, the poem here describes the greed of the explorers on the lands they have invaded. They become hungry for power and wealth for their self-interest and become unhumanized. This poem relates to the Heart of Darkness because these "pilgrims" take advantages of the natives and rob and take control of their resources and wealth. The Congolese are robbed of their land, wealth, and resources.
ReplyDeleteKipling’s poem describes a twisted obligation—the responsibility of the white man to serve his country, namely America in this case, by seeking profit and doing all that is necessary in the name of civilization, even if it means breaking unnamed moral boundaries. (There is some irony in that by breaking such moral boundaries, forcibly exploiting others for the sake of advancement, the White Man is shown to serve a greater “moral” purpose: expanding an empire). Furthermore, it is the white man’s duty to almost “fix” the “uncivilized” people—a calling for America to teach the ways of improvement and progress through some of the worst means possible. This practically screams Kurtz, as he is definitely the physical embodiment of “successful progress.” He is the hunger of imperialism and the extremities to which a country will go to claim its place at the top global hierarchy, representing a greater movement towards civilization—the ultimate figure to follow. But in the midst of shedding light on advancement, he has managed to become blind to his present self and still feels as though he is doing the right thing—“Exterminate all the brutes” (Conrad 46). The “pilgrims” or Europeans that are supposed to be “educating” the masses in advancement are in fact tearing it apart in the name of social justice. This relates to the natives, which are represented as “new-caught, sullen peoples” in the poem and the ultimate victims of imperialistic exploitation besides the land itself. They are burdened by the white man’s burden, since progress is practically being thrust upon them, and they have absolutely no say in the matter. But then there’s Marlow, who represents someone that, while being a person responsible for bringing the light of advancement to the masses, does not want to undertake this “burden.” In other words, he has a choice in his participation. He represents the voices against imperialism and those who sought to see the effects of “progress” for what they really were—a search for truth in the blinding light of civilization.
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DeleteI like how you drew attention to the irony as well as the haziness of "moral boundaries". It connects well to HoD because Kurtz is oppressing the natives, yet they idolize him. It becomes difficult to classify Kurtz as good or bad because it depends on what point of view you take. His possible insanity introduces another element to complicate matters. Can you hold a man accountable for his actions even if he isn't totally there psychologically?
Delete“The White Man’s Burden” is a call to arms to make war on savage people and savage ways of life--No, not actual war, but war on cultures and land. “White Man’s Burden” means that the European’s viewed colonization and imperialism as their God given duty. “Take up the White Man's burden--
ReplyDeleteYe dare not stoop to less-“ .
Although it is a call to arms, it is not written in a combative manner. It reveals the honest intentions that some of the European’s may have held before they spread out to physically conquer the other nations. Kipling assumes that the Europeans taking up the burden are upright persons truly looking out for the good of man. He knows that “The silent, sullen peoples shall weigh your gods and you” and he wants them to stand up to the challenge.
After peeling away the surface meaning of the poem, “White man’s Burden” stands as a symbol of corruption, and how easily things can get corrupted by forces like greed and power. When the European’s are sent out to these nation’s they are regular people, but like Kurtz in the solitude imperialists/pilgrims (from being separate from the societies they live in) they lose the warning voice and become greedy and power hungry. There is no “public opinion” or “police officers” in the countries they travel to. They have to rely on their more base nature which is often driven by the id ,or desires, instead of the part of the brain that makes humans compassionate and nurturing.
Hi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI like how you unveiled the different levels of this poem. You explained the surface meaning and then dove deeper to reveal the fallacies in the poem and in the idea of the the white man's burden. I loved how you brought in reality vs. illusion with this line: "His view of imperialism shows a backwards reality, as he portrays the white man as the slave to the African people’s welfare, when in fact the natives are the true slaves unto the demands of imperialism for resources and labor." I think that concept will be key to the rest of the story!
In my opinion “The White Man’s Burden” expresses the idea that the white men are almost programmed to colonize another land. They must send the men abroad to serve the natives, which are seen as wild, angry, childish and devilish. Teaching the “savage” is the ideal way of life, it’s the right thing to do. I viewed the term “The White Man’s Burden” as condescending towards anyone that didn’t follow the way of the white man. This poem shows how Kurtz once was all about teaching and reestablishing the savage ways of the pilgrims, but as he travels farther into Africa greed overpowered him, causing him to want more and more. How much is enough, when will they decide to leave, will they ever leave? Greed has always been the true European motive, it was just said to be “trade” so it was somewhat acceptable. Fear was implanted into the Africans so that the Europeans could steal what they wanted without any struggle.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the meaning of "the White Man's Burden" is ultimately the sacrifices that the Europeans and British have to take such as colonizing the rest of the world in order to fulfill what they see as their purpose in life. Kipling sees that colonizing is the right thing to do and has to be done by the higher people. He sees that being the one to do the right thing by ruining other people's lives is actually the greatest ruin to experience in life. This poem relates back to the Heart of Darkness because it shows that the US should be like Marlow and work with the Europeans. Marlow (representing the US) desires to meet Kurtz (representing Europeans and British) -- he desires to meet the sacrifices that you must take in order to do what is perceived as the right thing for the world.
ReplyDeleteI can't tell if the poem is meant to be ironic and discourage slavery or it is simply written matter of factly. If it is the latter, then it describes the natural pattern of dominance of the westerners over the "untamed people". It describes the sense of responsibility to spread western ideas to the savages and the desire to manipulate the natives for the benefit of the colonizers. These ideas are both evident in The Heart of Darkness. If the poem is meant to be ironic, then it takes the ideas above and points light to the fact that these reasons are just a facade used to camouflage their selfish intentions. Either way, Kurtz and his practices come to mind especially when the poem hints that only the best members of society can succeed in colonization by saying "send forth the best ye breed".
ReplyDeleteI just can't figure out the title of the poem. He says it is a burden, yet Kipling spends the whole poem describing how colonizers choose to conquer other places.
This poem is about imperialistic values and the "white man" feeling obligated to establish authority and power in other countries. I felt like this poem emphasizes how the typical European male follows the same footsteps as their father, grandfathers and so on. The "white man's burden" is the obligation white men have to enforcing their own values and gaining authority in weaker countries. This poem is saying that white man have a tendency to follow the foot steps in the white man before him. They feel as though what they're doing is what they were put on this Earth to do. First time that I read this poem I didn't think it would still apply to today's time, but then I thought about the United States and the middle eastern countries. US claims they're attempting to help the middle east because they are "corrupt", but what make are way of living right? This just goes to show that the "white man" is always trying to impose their values on "lesser: countries because they feel like their way is the right way. I related this to HoD because Kurtz initially travels to the Congo to search for ivory. Unlike the rest of the European "pilgrims" Kurtz gets devoured by the greed of ivory and becomes blind to his own madness. Kurtz sees this evil that exist in humanity. When Kurtz writes "Exterminate all the brutes" he is saying get rid of all the evil. Get rid of the "white man's burden." Although Kurtz sees this evil he contradicts himself because he initial is doing the same as the "pilgrims."
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