There has been manifold discussion among Kipling critics, as far as his attitude towards imperialism is concerned. Not only that – the author’s political involvement has been conceived as a disturbing factor in enjoying his literature, even complicating the appreciation of his artistic talents. Why is this so? Why do some critics find it harder to forgive Kipling his political commitment than other writers? And why is it important to scrutinise this matter at all in the first place? It looks as if the motivation here – which is probably the case with any serious enquiry of significant literature – is rooted in the desire to understand the hidden force behind the deep impression Kipling’s work has obviously made on so many of his contemporaries and to come up with an answer as to whether this force is something to approve of or not. It is around this point the whole imperialism dispute seems to circle. Thus, an explanation for the controversy with which Kipling’s accomplishments as a writer are discussed might to a certain extent be found in his strongly debated political attitude and his perception of reality connected with it.
The following study presents a brief investigation into the question of Kipling’s stance on colonialist rule as it appears in his short story Beyond the Pale. It goes without saying that only a few aspects of relevance in the context of the issue at hand can be touched upon here for the limited available space does not allow a more thorough examination. Kipling has been criticized as a crusader of colonialism, but whether this short story allows such a reading remains highly questionable and will have to be examined more closely on the following pages. Did he actually consider the work of Britain in India a “huge, macabre joke” and only use the idea of imperialism as a kind of garment to cover his personal philosophy with or is it rather as SCHEFOLD proposes that Kipling’s writing is peppered with racist and imperialist allusions, implying the notion of British racial superiority over – amongst others – India?
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Kipling and Imperialism
- Beyond the Pale
- Levels of Narration
- Representation of Colonial Rule
- The Imperial Character
- Reflections of Empire
- Conclusion
- Bibliography
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This study aims to analyze Rudyard Kipling's short story "Beyond the Pale" and explore his representation of colonial rule through the narrative's various layers. It investigates whether Kipling's stance on imperialism aligns with the portrayal of British colonialism in the story. The study will examine the narrative voice and its influence on understanding Kipling's own beliefs.
- Kipling's representation of colonialism
- Narrative voice and its reliability in "Beyond the Pale"
- The portrayal of different cultures and their interactions within the colonial context
- The impact of colonial rule on individual lives and relationships
- The role of societal structures and caste systems in the narrative
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction explores the ongoing debate surrounding Kipling's views on imperialism and highlights the complexities of analyzing his work. It sets the stage for the analysis of "Beyond the Pale" and explains the scope of the study. Chapter two focuses on Kipling's general stance on colonialism and the criticism he has faced. It examines whether Kipling promotes colonialism through his work or if he utilizes imperialism as a literary device. Chapter three delves into the specific case of "Beyond the Pale," examining the story's narrative structure and exploring the different levels of narration employed. This chapter further analyzes the representation of colonial rule, focusing on the portrayal of the "imperial character" and the reflections of empire within the narrative.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The key terms that shape the study's focus include colonial rule, Kipling, "Beyond the Pale," narrative voice, representation, imperialism, cultural interaction, caste system, and societal structures. These keywords highlight the study's exploration of Kipling's representation of colonialism and the intricacies of interpreting his short story within its historical context.
- Quote paper
- Fritz Hubertus Vaziri (Author), 2007, The representation of colonial rule in kipling’s 'Beyond the Pale', Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/113299
