Rudyard Kipling was a British writer and poet who was born in India in 1865 and lived through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During his lifetime, Kipling gained widespread fame for his poetry and short stories, which often explored themes of imperialism, colonialism, and the British Empire. In this essay, we will explore some of the major themes found in Kipling's work and how they reflect the social and political climate of the time.
One of the most prominent themes in Kipling's work is the idea of imperialism and the British Empire. Many of his poems and stories celebrate the expansion of the British Empire and the role of the British as "rulers" and "civilizers" of other nations. For example, in his poem "The White Man's Burden," Kipling encourages the United States to take up the mantle of imperialism and "civilize" the Philippines, which were then a colony of the United States. This poem reflects Kipling's belief in the superiority of Western culture and the duty of the Western world to spread its values to other parts of the world.
Another theme that appears frequently in Kipling's work is the idea of duty and responsibility. Kipling often portrays characters who are willing to sacrifice their own personal interests for the greater good, and he often emphasizes the importance of following one's duty and fulfilling one's responsibilities. For example, in his story "The Man Who Would Be King," the main characters, Daniel Dravot and Peachy Carnehan, embark on a quest to become kings of a distant land, but they ultimately fail because they are unable to fulfill their responsibilities as rulers.
A third theme that can be found in Kipling's work is the concept of the "law of the jungle." In his famous poem "The Jungle Book," Kipling explores the idea that animals in the jungle have their own set of laws and codes of conduct that they must follow in order to survive. This theme reflects Kipling's belief in the importance of order and hierarchy in society, and the idea that there are natural laws that govern the behavior of individuals and groups.
In conclusion, Rudyard Kipling was a writer and poet who explored a variety of themes in his work, including imperialism, duty and responsibility, and the "law of the jungle." These themes reflect the social and political climate of the time in which Kipling lived and offer insight into the values and beliefs of the British Empire.
What is the message of If by Rudyard Kipling?
This poem is about a father addressing his son to have faith in himself. In 1887 he moved to the Allahabad Pioneer , a newspaper that gave him more liberty in his writings. Both men made significant contributions to English literature during the course of their lifetimes. The Oxford Encyclopedia of British Literature Volume 1. The story is of seemingly disjointed events, like individual scenes in a motion picture.
The poems are a clear demonstration of English self-control and stoicism. This warped his political judgement, for the British ruling class were not what he imagined, and it led him into abysses of folly and snobbery, but he gained a corresponding advantage from having at least tried to imagine what action and responsibility are like. People were honoured if they belonged to a well established cast like that of Whites, Dogras, Hindu or Mussalman for it is visible when Kipling mentions the way the merry-makers call each other to make prayer. Rudyard Kipling: A Study of the Short Fiction. The young boy is innocent and appeals to the reader's memory of the purity and safety of childhood.
Rudyard Kipling's Writing Style and Short Biography
The poem encourages the reader to have self-trust and an ability to press on even in the face of lies and doubts. Repetition, the device first mentioned, is the one the reader can notice and pick up on immediately. Here, the reader is told to dream and think but to not get carried away with either and let them take over. What was that experience? She is involved in important battles with Rikki-Tikki. Cobras of India source: Biodiversity Heritage Library What Is the Theme of "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"? However, in reality, colonialism greatly harmed India. This theme is present throughout the work along with some important themes such as being human, success, failure, life, strength, and self-control. Kipling wrote this novel in 1901.
If by Rudyar Kipling Summary, Themes, and Analysis
When Teddy is attacked by the cobras, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi saves him, just as Teddy once saved Rikki. Characters Let's go over the characters first. But his most famous work was published in 1894 â the Jungle Book. Both men have themes of imperialism or colonialism as an element within their writing as well as an examination of the human spirit. The novella is a story about imperialism in the British Empire and how it impacted its citizens and countries they conquered. How will he be treated then? He wrote many poems, novels, and articles in his lifetime.
Caesura It is a rhythmical pause in a poetic line. Horatii Flacci Carminum Librer Quintus, 1920 with Charles L. Furthermore, Rikki-Tikki even followed Nagaina into the dangerous underground snake hole to battle it out with her. His stories for adults remain in print and have garnered high praise from writers as different as His children's stories remain popular and his Jungle Books made into several films. Do I engage each man of feeling-is, not this dreadful? Both burned to charcoal. Those sixty-seconds too must be worth something and not be wasted.
In this poem, he advises his son to move through life with composure, and to always exercise self-control, integrity, and humility. He should be good to all and never be hateful to haters. But that is only after we are presented with more scenarios and lessons that are essential. Rudyard Kipling: A life. He advises him not to allow anyone to hurt him, be they friends or enemies.
Thus, Mowgli's identity takes a long time to develop because he is constantly torn between these two worlds. While reading the poem, a reader feels it as a direct address to him. By the early 1890s, the United Kingdom and Although the crisis eased into greater United StatesâBritish co-operation, Kipling was bewildered by what he felt was persistent anti-British sentiment in the U. In the famous "Ballad of East and West" Kipling argues that the geographic extremities may never touch but that when mighty, noble men of either ends of the earth meet in good faith that they can transcend race, family, and religion. They are friendly advice that a father gives his son. One must always be ready to begin again.
Themes of bravery, courage, and loyalty are clear and layered for the reader of "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi. War Literature and the Arts. In May 1896, an inebriated Beatty encountered Kipling on the street and threatened him with physical harm. According to Bernice M. He acknowledges Rikki's bravery in saving Teddy, Alice, and him from the cobra Nag.
He should trust himself when all the people around him discourage him. In 1888, he published six collections of short stories: The Pioneer 's special correspondent in the western region of Letters of Marque and published in Kipling was discharged from The Pioneer in early 1889 after a dispute. Rules of the jungle preserve personal safety and also preserve the future of the jungle and each species within it. A Companion to Victorian Poetry. The reader is advised here to keep his personal goodness and individual dignity in the midst of a crowd so that people may not misguide him.
His advice includes to be true to yourself, take chances, and to not let emotions rule you. What is the conclusion of the poem If? Retrieved 3 May 2018. Nag and Nagaina have different reactions when the story reaches the climax and Nagaina faces losing her eggs. Again, Hooper reaches to his pocket, and again he does not bring forth anything. As mentioned even in the previous stanzas, the reader is encouraged to move on. The affair continues in India, but Pansay grows tired of her, becoming engaged to someone else. The poem is a list of advice that a father gives to his son so it makes the reader able to put himself in the position of the son.
