Imperialism as a historical fact has left quite contradictory traces in the memories of thousands of people. For many of them Empire was the key to glory and wealth that brought Britain many significant benefits and positively changed the economic landscape of the Indian subcontinent as well. It “had developed the largest railway system in Asia …, restored old irrigation systems and developed new ones. There were hydroelectric dams, harbourworks and bridges. There was also a considerable development of system of higher education …. [F]amines were diminished and agriculture tended to be commercialised.” Imperialism had also its passionate critics for whom Empire was the scandal that “produced ethnic violence, religious exclusion, political weakness, civilizational embarrassment, and national extremism.” For Rudyard Kipling Empire was a philosophy that assumed the superiority of British civilization and therefore its moral responsibility to bring law and enlightenment to “sullen peoples” of the world. Kipling is generally recognized as the apostle of Empire, “a spokesman for his age, with its sense of imperial destiny, [the] age is one about which many Britons ... now feel an exaggerated sense of guilt.” The Imperial Idea is seen by many literary critics as the inspiration for the most of his writings. His novel Kim, which appeared at a time historically recognized as “the turning point in Britain’s imperial connections, the start of England’s self-perception as ‘the weary Titan’” , is an excellent example of a pro-imperialist work which celebrates the authority and benevolence of British rule in India.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Western attitude toward colonial India
- 3. West versus East
- 3.1. Discourse of Orientalism
- 3.2. Ideas of British predominance
- 4. The dream of united colonialism and imperialism
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper aims to examine how Rudyard Kipling's novel, Kim, supports British imperialism. Through close reading, the study focuses on examples of racial hierarchy and the portrayal of Indian and British characters. The paper will explore the novel's presentation of Western attitudes toward colonial India and the portrayal of the "Orientalist discourse."
- Western attitudes toward colonial India
- The Orientalist discourse in the novel
- Stereotypical and biased portrayals of Indian characters
- The positive influence of imperial rule on India's development
- The British fantasy of idealized colonialism and imperialism
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis of Rudyard Kipling's Kim, framing it within the context of the complex legacy of British imperialism in India. It highlights the contrasting perspectives on imperialism – some viewing it as a source of progress and wealth, others as a source of oppression and exploitation – and positions Kipling as a key figure in shaping pro-imperialist narratives. The chapter establishes the central argument: that while Kim possesses various literary merits, it nonetheless propagates a pro-imperialist message, a thesis that the paper will explore in detail.
2. Western attitude toward colonial India: This chapter delves into the representation of the relationship between Britain and India in Kim, analyzing it through the lens of "hegemonic colonial discourse." Kipling's belief in British superiority, central to the novel, is examined. The chapter analyzes the opening scene, featuring young Kim astride the Zam-Zammah cannon, a potent symbol of British conquest and dominance. This scene immediately establishes the hierarchical power dynamic between the British conquerors and the Indian conquered, illustrating the inherent assumptions of Western superiority embedded within the narrative. Further examples, such as Kim's game with his friends, reinforce this concept of racial and religious hierarchy.
3. West versus East: This chapter explores the contrasting depictions of Western and Eastern cultures in Kim. It examines the "Discourse of Orientalism," analyzing how the novel portrays Indian characters and culture. The chapter also focuses on how the novel depicts British ideas of predominance, examining the symbolic objects and situations used to highlight British superiority. The contrast between the Lama's ignorance and the curator's knowledge, symbolized by the offering of spectacles and notebooks, illustrates the implied benevolent nature of British rule. The chapter further explores other symbolic representations, such as the Irish regiment's flag and the train, to demonstrate the continuous reinforcement of British dominance and Indian passivity.
4. The dream of united colonialism and imperialism: This chapter will analyze how the novel portrays the British ideal of colonialism and imperialism. It will discuss the examples within the novel that support this idealized view, examining how the characters and events reinforce the idea of a unified and beneficial colonial enterprise. This section will explore how the narrative presents British rule as bringing progress and stability to India, contrasting with the potential critiques of imperial rule.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
British imperialism, Rudyard Kipling, Kim, colonialism, Orientalism, racial hierarchy, British India, pro-imperialist narrative, hegemonic discourse, colonial power dynamics.
Rudyard Kipling's *Kim*: A Comprehensive Analysis - FAQ
What is the main focus of this research paper?
This research paper analyzes Rudyard Kipling's novel, Kim, to examine how it supports British imperialism. It focuses on close readings of the text to identify examples of racial hierarchy and the portrayal of both Indian and British characters. The analysis explores how the novel presents Western attitudes towards colonial India and the "Orientalist discourse" prevalent within the narrative.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The key themes include Western attitudes toward colonial India, the Orientalist discourse within the novel, stereotypical and biased portrayals of Indian characters, the supposed positive influence of imperial rule on India's development, and the British fantasy of an idealized colonialism and imperialism.
What is covered in the Introduction chapter?
The introduction sets the context for the analysis of Kim within the complex legacy of British imperialism in India. It highlights contrasting perspectives on imperialism (progress vs. oppression) and establishes Kipling's role in shaping pro-imperialist narratives. The central argument—that Kim propagates a pro-imperialist message despite its literary merits—is introduced.
What does the chapter on "Western attitudes toward colonial India" discuss?
This chapter analyzes the representation of the British-Indian relationship in Kim through the lens of "hegemonic colonial discourse." It examines Kipling's belief in British superiority and analyzes symbolic scenes (like young Kim with the Zam-Zammah cannon) that illustrate the hierarchical power dynamic between British conquerors and Indian conquered. The chapter shows how the narrative reinforces Western superiority.
What is the focus of the "West versus East" chapter?
This chapter contrasts the depictions of Western and Eastern cultures in Kim. It analyzes the "Discourse of Orientalism," examining how Indian characters and culture are portrayed. It also focuses on how the novel depicts British ideas of predominance through symbolic objects and situations (e.g., the contrast between the Lama and the curator, the Irish regiment's flag, the train) to demonstrate British dominance and Indian passivity.
What is discussed in the chapter on "The dream of united colonialism and imperialism"?
This chapter explores how the novel portrays the British ideal of colonialism and imperialism. It examines examples within the novel that support this idealized view, analyzing how characters and events reinforce the idea of a unified and beneficial colonial enterprise. It contrasts the narrative's presentation of British rule as bringing progress and stability with potential critiques of imperial rule.
What are the keywords associated with this research paper?
The keywords include British imperialism, Rudyard Kipling, Kim, colonialism, Orientalism, racial hierarchy, British India, pro-imperialist narrative, hegemonic discourse, and colonial power dynamics.
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What is the intended audience for this preview?
The intended audience is likely academics or students interested in postcolonial studies, British literature, or the history of British imperialism in India. The structured format and academic language suggest a professional academic context.
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- Citation du texte
- Katja Klass (Auteur), 2010, The Imperial Message in Rudyard Kipling’s Novel "Kim", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/168290
