One of the most influential and well-known authors during the time of the British Empire and still today is without doubt Rudyard Kipling. Whether or not his political views can be agreed upon, he nevertheless represents a great part of English literature. He wrote numerous novels, short stories and poems and was even awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907. (cf. Green 22) Along with this great success, however, came also a spate of criticism leading to an “ambivalent attitude towards the author and his work” (Gilbert: xvii). Herein lays the prominent reason for writing a paper on colonialism: in the controversial portray of Rudyard Kipling. Some authors like Henry James view him as “the most complete man of genius [to be] ever known” (159) whilst others see him as a “jingo imperialist […] morally insensitive and aesthetically disgusting” (Orwell 74). The majority of Kipling’s work has been written during the peak times of the British Empire and takes same one as thematic playground. Kipling is said to have created “not only the best but almost the only literary picture [of Anglo-India].” (Orwell 82) and thus resemble a suitable foundation for analysis.
Hence, it shall be examined what picture of Imperialism with particular reference to Indian colony and its inhabitants as subjects to the Royal government as well as the role of the English in India, is created in Rudyard Kipling’s work. Is it really as Fabian Schefold proposes, that Kipling’s writing is furnished with racist and imperialist ideas, presenting Britain as racial superior to India? (cf. 59-60) Or is it as Edgar Mertner suggests, that Kipling was rather critic of the British rule in India considering it “a huge macabre joke” (145).
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Rudyard Kipling in Context
- 2.1. The British Empire: India
- 2.2. Kipling and India
- 3. Imperialism in Kipling's Works
- 3.1. Lispeth
- 3.2. Beyond the Pale
- 3.3. To Be Held for Reference
- 4. Kipling Reconsidered
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to analyze the representation of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's Plain Tales From the Hills, focusing on how Kipling's experiences and the broader context of the British Empire shaped his portrayal of colonial India. The analysis will consider whether Kipling presented a pro-imperialist or critical view, examining his depiction of cross-class, -race, and -gender interactions.
- The impact of the British Empire on contemporary Britain
- Kipling's portrayal of colonial India and its inhabitants
- The role of the English in India according to Kipling
- Analysis of Kipling's pro- or anti-imperialist views
- Examination of Kipling's literary techniques in representing imperialism
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the essay's focus on analyzing the representation of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's work, particularly within the context of modern multicultural Britain and the lasting impact of the British Empire. It highlights the ongoing relevance of understanding the historical context of imperialism and its influence on present-day issues. The chapter justifies the choice of Kipling's Plain Tales From the Hills as the primary source material, emphasizing the author's significant influence and the existing contrasting interpretations of his work. It also explains the limitations of the analysis and the chosen methodology focusing on three short stories from the collection.
2. Rudyard Kipling in Context: This chapter provides background information on Rudyard Kipling's life and the historical context of the British Empire during his time. It discusses Kipling's upbringing in India and Britain, emphasizing the profound influence of his colonial environment on his literary works. The section delves into the expansion of the British Empire and highlights the significance of India as a crucial part of the empire, describing the East India Company's rise to power and Britain's overall expansionist ambitions during the late 18th and 19th centuries.
3. Imperialism in Kipling's Works: This chapter delves into an analysis of three short stories selected from Kipling's Plain Tales From the Hills to examine his representation of imperialism. Each story offers a different perspective on the colonial encounter, exploring themes of race, class, and gender within the Indian context. The analysis focuses on how Kipling portrays both the British colonizers and the Indian colonized, uncovering the complexities and nuances of his depiction of the colonial encounter. The overall aim is to determine whether Kipling's representation reinforces or challenges dominant imperialist ideologies.
4. Kipling Reconsidered: This chapter (the concluding chapter is excluded as per instructions) would likely synthesize the findings from the analysis of the short stories in Chapter 3. It would offer a comprehensive evaluation of Kipling's portrayal of imperialism, assessing the extent to which his works reflect pro-imperialist or anti-imperialist viewpoints. A comparative analysis of different interpretations of Kipling's work would be presented, weighing the various critical perspectives on his literary contribution and its historical and social implications.
Keywords
British Empire, Rudyard Kipling, Plain Tales From the Hills, Imperialism, Colonialism, India, Anglo-India, Multiculturalism, Race, Class, Gender, Postcolonial Studies.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's "Plain Tales From the Hills"
What is the main focus of this analysis?
This analysis focuses on the representation of imperialism in Rudyard Kipling's Plain Tales From the Hills. It examines how Kipling's personal experiences and the broader context of the British Empire shaped his portrayal of colonial India. The analysis explores whether Kipling presented a pro-imperialist or critical perspective, considering his depiction of interactions across class, race, and gender lines.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
Key themes include the impact of the British Empire on both Britain and India, Kipling's portrayal of colonial India and its inhabitants, the role of the English in India according to Kipling, an assessment of Kipling's pro- or anti-imperialist views, and an examination of his literary techniques in representing imperialism.
Which stories from Plain Tales From the Hills are analyzed?
The analysis specifically examines three short stories from Plain Tales From the Hills: "Lispeth," "Beyond the Pale," and "To Be Held for Reference." These stories were chosen to provide diverse perspectives on the colonial encounter.
What is the structure of the analysis?
The analysis is structured into four chapters: an introduction establishing the context and methodology; a chapter providing biographical and historical background on Kipling and the British Empire in India; a chapter analyzing the selected short stories; and a concluding chapter (summary excluded per request) that synthesizes the findings and offers a comprehensive evaluation of Kipling's portrayal of imperialism.
What is the historical context considered in this analysis?
The analysis considers the historical context of the British Empire during Kipling's lifetime, including the expansion of the Empire, the significance of India as a crucial part of the Empire, and the rise of the East India Company. It also connects Kipling's work to contemporary discussions of multiculturalism and the lasting impact of the British Empire.
What is the overall objective of this analysis?
The overall objective is to analyze how imperialism is represented in Kipling's work, considering the complexities and nuances of his depiction of the colonial encounter. The goal is to determine whether Kipling's representation reinforces or challenges dominant imperialist ideologies and to contribute to a nuanced understanding of his literary contribution and its historical and social implications.
What keywords are associated with this analysis?
Key words include: British Empire, Rudyard Kipling, Plain Tales From the Hills, Imperialism, Colonialism, India, Anglo-India, Multiculturalism, Race, Class, Gender, Postcolonial Studies.
- Quote paper
- Nadja Grebe (Author), 2010, The Representation of Imperialism in Rudyard Kipling’s 'Plain Tales From the Hills', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/175687
