Directions

Read the instructions for this self-checked activity. Type in your response to each question, and check your answers. At the end of the activity, write a brief evaluation of your work.
Activity
In this activity, you’ll analyze an advertisement and a political cartoon to examine different perspectives on “The White Man’s Burden.”

Part A
In 1899, British poet Rudyard Kipling published the poem “The White Man's Burden.” Read the poem and then think about this prompt:

The poem dramatically expresses some issues and difficulties of imperialism. Readers interpret the poem in different ways. Some say it’s a justification of colonization. The poem says that colonizing foreign regions was necessary to develop and modernize the world. It was the white man’s burden to lead this task. Others say the poem is a satire. It makes fun of imperialists for believing that they were doing their colonies a favor.

What do you think Kipling’s attitude was toward imperialism? Support your answer with information from the poem and this lesson. Your answer should consist of 75 to 100 words.

Space used (includes formatting): 0 / 30000
Part B
Think about the motives encouraging Western imperialism in the late nineteenth century. Then examine the following advertisement from that time period. First note the text it contains:

The first step towards lightening the white man’s burden is through teaching the virtues of cleanliness. Pears’ Soap is a potent factor in brightening the dark corners of the earth as civilization advances, while amongst the cultured of all nations it holds the highest place—it is the ideal toilet [bathroom] soap.

an advertisement for Pears' Soap featuring a man in uniform washing his hands and text about the benefits of teaching cleanliness

What are two obvious ideas in the advertisement that reflect European views about race and the nonwhite people living in European colonies? What do these ideas imply about European colonialism and the belief in white superiority? How do these and other ideas in the advertisement use racism to promote imperialism? Write a response to these questions in 100 to 125 words.

Space used (includes formatting): 0 / 30000
Part C
This cartoon shows another perspective on the white man’s burden. Examine the image and caption closely and answer the question that follows.

a political cartoon showing world leaders riding on the backs of people who live in colonized countries

Who does the artist believe really carries the burden of white imperialism and colonization? What details in the cartoon lead you to this conclusion? Your response should be 75 to 100 words.

Space used (includes formatting): 0 / 30000
Self-Evaluation
How did you do? Rate your work on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 as the highest score. Then write a brief evaluation of your work. Note what you learned and what challenged you.

1 answer

Part A

Kipling's attitude toward imperialism appears to be one of support, as reflected in his poem "The White Man's Burden." He portrays colonialism as a noble endeavor, suggesting that it is a moral responsibility for white men to civilize and uplift nonwhite populations. The poem emphasizes the hardships that imperialists face, implying that those who undertake this "burden" are self-sacrificing and striving for a greater good. However, beneath this surface justification, Kipling's work can also be interpreted as a critique of imperialist thinking, revealing the arrogance and misunderstanding inherent in the belief that one race is superior enough to lead others.

Part B

The advertisement for Pears' Soap illustrates two prominent ideas reflecting European views about race. First, it implies that nonwhite people are in need of moral and physical improvement, as indicated by the focus on "teaching the virtues of cleanliness." This notion suggests that cleanliness is synonymous with civilization and that nonwhite populations require instruction in basic hygiene. Second, the ad reinforces the belief in white superiority by associating cleanliness with progress, positioning Europeans as enlightened teachers. By linking soap with civilizing efforts, the advertisement uses racist ideals to promote imperialism, portraying Western intervention as necessary and altruistic while dehumanizing colonized peoples.

Part C

The artist of the political cartoon suggests that the colonized people are the true bearers of the burden associated with imperialism. The depiction of world leaders riding on the backs of these individuals indicates that the weight of exploitation and subjugation falls on the colonized, rather than the colonizers. This visual metaphor illustrates the inequity of the colonial relationship, highlighting how the power dynamics of imperialism ultimately benefit the ruling class while oppressing the indigenous populations. The cartoon critiques the narrative of "the white man’s burden" by revealing the exploitation inherent in the system.

Self-Evaluation

I would rate my work a 4. I effectively analyzed the poem, advertisement, and cartoon, providing insights into their respective themes and implications about imperialism and race. What challenged me was synthesizing my thoughts clearly and concisely, especially within the word limits. I learned how advertisements and literature from this period reflect complex views on race and power dynamics. Altogether, this exercise deepened my understanding of how language and imagery can reveal underlying societal beliefs from historic contexts.