'White Man's Burden' Summary

The poem, addressed to the United States, urges the Americans to take up the “White Man’s Burden,” which is the responsibility of colonizing and civilizing the “lesser” races of the world. Kipling argues that, despite the difficulties and hardships, it is their duty to bring the benefits of Western civilization to these people. The poem is a call for American expansionism and is often seen as a justification for the United States’ colonial ambitions. The poem’s use of the language of burden and responsibility, as well as its strong racial implications, has made it a source of debate and controversy. Some see the poem as a celebration of imperialism and white supremacy, while others view it as a critique of the brutality and destructiveness of colonialism.