Compare and contrast the portrayal of imperialism in the political cartoon "The White Man’s Burden” and the Kipling poem of the same name.
The political cartoon "The White Man’s Burden" by George Frederick Keller and the poem by Rudyard Kipling both address the concept of imperialism, but they do so in different ways.
In the political cartoon, imperialism is depicted as a burden that the white man must carry in order to civilize and uplift people of other races. The white man is shown carrying a globe on his back, symbolizing the weight of responsibility that comes with imperialist ideals. The people of other races are portrayed as looking up to the white man, waiting for him to bring them civilization and progress. This imagery reinforces the idea that imperialism is a noble and benevolent mission that the white man must take on for the greater good of humanity.
On the other hand, Kipling's poem "The White Man’s Burden" takes a more critical and ironic tone in its portrayal of imperialism. Kipling presents imperialism as a duty that the white man must fulfill, but he also highlights the negative consequences and hardships that come with it. The poem suggests that imperialism can be a heavy burden that weighs down both the colonizers and the colonized. Kipling acknowledges the challenges and complexities of imperialism, and he questions whether it is truly worth the cost.
Overall, while both the political cartoon and the poem address the theme of imperialism, they offer differing perspectives on the topic. The cartoon portrays imperialism as a noble mission that the white man must undertake, while the poem presents a more nuanced and critical view that challenges the notion of imperialism as a burden that must be shouldered.