"White Man's Burden" By Rudyard Kipling

1. What does Kipling mean by "the White Man's burden?”

Kipling meant that "the White Man's Burden" is to Christianize the native people of the land that the colonies were to take over. He thinks that it's the White Man's destiny to rule all of the land and eventually turn one from savage person into a civilized person.

2. How does Kipling justify imperialism?

Rudyard Kipling justifies Imperialism by saying, in line 4, that it is "your captive's need" . In addition to that Kipling also says, in line nineteen, that they are going to "Fill full the mouth of Famine,". Rudyard makes Imperialism seem like a difficult task and that the White Man should be rewarded and praised for his hard work.

3. Why might such justification be so appealing?

This justification is appealing because at the time, Imperialism has become very rough and aggressive. This made all the cruelty from the settlers towards the natives in the colonies justified. It allowed the White Man basically, to feel that it was their right or that it was not wrong to treat these people wrongly.

4. Why was religion used as a justification over money, capitalism, the greater good and political strength?


Religion is used as a justification because they say that God intended the White Man to rule over all the natives. They also say that the natives are sinners and demons and the White Man will Christianize them and turn eventually grant them eternal life instead of being sentenced to damnation.