The following term paper deals with Rudyard Kipling´s perception of Canada in his letters “From Sea to Sea” and “Letters to the Family”. Kipling went to Canada twice in his younger years. In his letters, Kipling writes about experiences in his travels. To analyze his perception of Canada, two main topics were chosen: Firstly, the “Image of Canada” and secondly “The attitude and stereotypical images of Canadians” in Kipling´s texts “From Sea to Sea” and “Letters to the Family”.
At the very beginning of this term paper I will give a general overview about the “Theory on stereotypes”. Because of the fact that I will be a future teacher it is essential to me to also take a look on “Stereotypes in school” as I named the following aspect. It is important to know how to handle stereotypes in class because the students should learn tolerant thinking.
After that, a closer look at the author - Rudyard Kipling - will be taken. A short biography will inform the reader about his life and the background of his thinking.
The main part of that work is divided into two topics, “The image of Canada“ and “Attitudes and stereotypical images of Canadians”. Here, Kipling´s perception will be discussed, analyzed and proven by several quotes.
To round this off, a conclusion will be drawn in the end.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Theory on stereotypes
2.1 Stereotypes in School
3. About the author – Rudyard Kipling
4. The Image of Canada
5. The Attitude and stereotypical images of Canadians
6. Conclusion
7. References
Objectives and Topics
This academic paper aims to examine Rudyard Kipling’s perception of Canada through an analysis of his travel writings, specifically "From Sea to Sea" and "Letters to the Family." The central research question explores how Kipling portrays the Canadian landscape, society, and national character, while investigating the presence and impact of stereotypical depictions within these texts.
- Theoretical analysis of stereotypes and their function in literature and education.
- Biographical examination of Rudyard Kipling and the context of his worldview.
- Evaluation of Canada's portrayal regarding its landscape, urban development, and infrastructure.
- Analysis of stereotypical images and social attitudes towards Canadians, including immigrants and foreign workers.
Excerpt from the book
The Image of Canada
While reading Rudyard Kipling´s “From Sea to Sea” and “Letters to the Family” it evolves a picture of Canada as he describes it through the eyes of the traveler. Combining Kipling´s biography and the traveler´s life in his letter, there are some parallels between them, so maybe the letter has an autobiographical aspect and it seems that the traveler is Kipling himself. The traveler, like the young Kipling himself, is originally from England. And both traveled and visited North America. In general, Kipling compares a lot of facts and locations in Canada with them in America. Maybe because of the fact that he visited the USA earlier and he also lived in Vermont, together with his wife. So he knows a lot about the USA from his own experiences but also a lot because of his earlier travel to Canada. We will begin with the letter “From Sea to Sea”:
On his voyage, the traveler, who is also the writer of the letter, hears the story of the fire in Vancouver that destroyed all the houses down to one:
“Vancouver three years ago was swept off by fire in sixteen minutes, and only one house was left standing. To-day it has a population of fourteen thousand people, and builds its houses out of brick with dressed granite fronts” (Kipling, 1899, p. 2).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of Rudyard Kipling's perception of Canada based on his travel letters and outlines the methodological approach.
2. Theory on stereotypes: This section provides a conceptual overview of the origins and psychological definitions of stereotypes and their relevance in various contexts.
2.1 Stereotypes in School: This part discusses the necessity of addressing stereotypical thinking in educational settings to foster tolerance and intercultural communication.
3. About the author – Rudyard Kipling: This chapter offers a brief biography of Rudyard Kipling, highlighting his early life in India and England to contextualize his later writings.
4. The Image of Canada: This chapter analyzes Kipling's descriptions of Canada's landscape, urban growth, and infrastructure as seen through the perspective of a traveler.
5. The Attitude and stereotypical images of Canadians: This section examines Kipling's observations regarding the Canadian population, including his views on labor, foreign workers, and social dynamics.
6. Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that while Kipling maintained an imperialist worldview, his texts offer nuanced insights into Canada at the time.
7. References: This section lists the academic sources and texts used for the investigation.
Keywords
Rudyard Kipling, Canada, Travel Literature, Stereotypes, Intercultural Communication, British Empire, Imperialism, Social Perception, National Identity, Vancouver, Colonialism, Immigration, Foreign Workers, Cultural Development, Literature Analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines Rudyard Kipling's perception of Canada by analyzing his letters in "From Sea to Sea" and "Letters to the Family."
What are the central thematic fields discussed?
The main themes include the theoretical framework of stereotypes, the portrayal of Canadian landscapes, and the socio-political attitude toward Canadian inhabitants and immigrants.
What is the research goal of this work?
The goal is to determine how Kipling represents Canada and to what extent his narratives rely on stereotypical images of the nation and its people.
Which scientific method is applied?
The work utilizes a qualitative approach, analyzing primary literature through the lens of established theories on stereotyping and post-colonial perspectives.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main section covers the "Image of Canada," discussing urban and infrastructure progress, as well as the "Attitude and stereotypical images of Canadians," focusing on social and labor issues.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include Rudyard Kipling, Canada, stereotypes, intercultural communication, imperial perspective, and cultural development.
How does Kipling portray the Canadian identity compared to other nations?
Kipling often contrasts Canada with the United States and England, portraying Canada as a developing nation with unique potential and distinct social challenges.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding Kipling's imperialistic perspective?
The author concludes that despite his admiration for Canada, Kipling remained a firm supporter of the British Empire, which significantly influenced his judgment of Canadian progress and social structures.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Keil (Author), 2009, Rudyard Kipling`s Perception of Canada, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/133661
