Major English (Bachelors in Arts) | Tribhuvan University

 Reverend H.T. Johnson was a clergyman in America and "The Black Man's Burden" was written by him as a direct reply to Kipling's "The White Man's Burden". Johnson uses same form, similar rhyme scheme and meter to Kipling's poem to explicitly state that this is his counter to Kipling's highly divisive poem. The poem starts with the phrase "Pile on the Black Man's burden" that acts as a refrain which starts every stanza. Johnson sarcastically asserts to add up  to the black person's burden which is overbearing as it is. This creates a verbal irony as what he means is to leave the black man alone who already has a lot to deal with as it is. He points out specifically to the US as it need not look anywhere else but its "own door" and address the issue at home first. There is no reason to bother other countries like Cuba or Hawaii when the problem in your own country is burning.  He describes the armies of imperial forces a...

 "The White Man's Burden" is a poem written by a highly acclaimed poet Rudyard Kipling. However, the content and the message of the poem is controversial and highly divisive, especially when looked upon through modern perspective. The poem calls for the people of white race to take upon the burden of spreading civilization throughout the world. This is constantly enforced by the use of refrain "Take up the White Man's burden" in the beginning of every stanza. The speaker calls upon the "white men" to fulfill their natural calling by toiling for people that are nothing like them; to "civilize" them. Kipling firmly believes that this is the part of the greatest sacrifice the white race must make for the betterment of all humankind. The work that needs to be done will not be easy, hence he asks for the best men to assume this mammoth task. He stresses the sacrifice element by calling upon the mothers to send their sons into exile where they ...