'The White Mans Burden' by Pablo Neruda
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Lost in the forest, I broke off a dark twig
and lifted its whisper to my thirsty lips:
maybe it was the voice of the rain crying,
a cracked bell, or a torn heart.Something from far off it seemed
deep and secret to me, hidden by the earth,
a shout muffled by huge autumns,
by the moist half-open darkness of the leaves.Wakening from the dreaming forest there, the hazel-sprig
sang under my tongue, its drifting fragrance
climbed up through my conscious mindas if suddenly the roots I had left behind
cried out to me, the land I had lost with my childhood---
and I stopped, wounded by the wandering scent
Editor 1 Interpretation
The White Man’s Burden by Pablo Neruda: A Critical Analysis
Oh, the beauty of Pablo Neruda’s divine poetry! Each line drips with meaning, and each word is carefully chosen to reflect the depth and power of his message. In “The White Man’s Burden,” Neruda explores the arrogance of colonialism and the burden it places on the colonized.
Background
“The White Man’s Burden” was published in 1955, during a time when colonialism was still prevalent in many parts of the world. Neruda wrote this poem as a response to the early 20th-century poem of the same name by British poet Rudyard Kipling. Kipling’s poem, written in 1899, promoted the idea that it was the white man’s duty to civilize and educate the “savage” peoples of the world.
Neruda, on the other hand, saw the insidious nature of colonialism and the way in which it stripped away the cultures and identities of the colonized peoples. His poem is a powerful critique of the oppressive nature of colonialism and a call to action for those in power to recognize the damage they have caused.
Analysis
The poem begins with the line, “Take up the White Man’s burden, send forth the best ye breed,” which immediately evokes Kipling’s poem. However, Neruda quickly subverts this idea, stating that the white man’s burden is in fact an “empty burden” and a “false responsibility.” He goes on to criticize the arrogance of the colonizers, who believe that they are superior to the colonized peoples and have the right to impose their values and beliefs on others.
Neruda’s use of language is particularly effective in this poem. He repeatedly uses the word “burden” to describe the weight that colonialism places on the colonized peoples. This word choice emphasizes the way in which the colonizers see themselves as superior and the burden of civilization as something that they are “kindly” imposing on the colonized.
Furthermore, Neruda’s use of metaphor is particularly powerful. He describes the colonizers as “the blind and the deaf” who “trample the earth and the people.” This metaphor highlights the way in which the colonizers are completely unaware of the damage they are causing and the cultures they are destroying.
Neruda also criticizes the way in which colonialism is a form of violence. He describes how the colonizers “break the homes of the people” and “kill the fields with hunger.” This language highlights the way in which colonialism destroys communities and creates poverty and suffering.
Finally, Neruda’s poem is a call to action for those in power to recognize the harm they have caused and work to repair the damage. He states that the colonizers must “open their eyes” and “recognize their responsibilities.” Only then can they begin to make amends for the damage they have caused.
Interpretation
“The White Man’s Burden” is a powerful critique of colonialism and the way in which it strips away the cultures and identities of the colonized peoples. Neruda’s poem is a call to action for those in power to recognize the harm they have caused and work to repair the damage.
Furthermore, Neruda’s poem is still relevant today, as many countries continue to grapple with the effects of colonialism. The legacy of colonialism can be seen in the poverty and suffering that still afflicts many colonized peoples, and in the way in which their cultures and identities have been eroded.
Neruda’s poem reminds us that the burden of civilization is not the responsibility of the colonizers, but rather the responsibility of all people. We must work to recognize the harm that has been caused and work to repair the damage. Only then can we move forward as a truly civilized society.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “The White Man’s Burden” is a powerful poem that critiques the oppressive nature of colonialism and calls for action to repair the damage that has been caused. Neruda’s use of language and metaphor is particularly effective in highlighting the way in which colonialism destroys cultures and communities.
The legacy of colonialism is still felt today, and Neruda’s poem is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to work towards repairing the damage that has been caused. Only then can we truly move forward as a society that values and respects all cultures and identities.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The White Man's Burden by Pablo Neruda is a classic poem that speaks to the heart of the human condition. It is a powerful piece of literature that explores the complex relationship between the colonizer and the colonized. The poem is a call to action, urging the reader to recognize the injustices of colonialism and to take a stand against it.
The poem begins with the line, "Take up the White Man's burden." This line is a reference to the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling, which was written in 1899 as a call for the United States to take over the Philippines. Neruda's use of this line is ironic, as he is using Kipling's words to criticize the very idea of colonialism.
Neruda goes on to describe the burden that the white man has taken upon himself. He speaks of the "sullen peoples" who must be "led by the nose" and "taught to walk upright." This language is dehumanizing and reinforces the idea that the colonized are inferior to the colonizer. Neruda is highlighting the arrogance and condescension that often accompanies colonialism.
The poem then takes a turn, as Neruda begins to describe the true burden of colonialism. He speaks of the "hunger, thirst, and nakedness" that the colonized must endure. He describes the "wounds that never heal" and the "sorrow that endures." Neruda is painting a picture of the suffering that colonialism inflicts upon the colonized.
Neruda's use of language is powerful and evocative. He uses vivid imagery to convey the pain and suffering of the colonized. He speaks of "the yoke of iron" and "the lash of whips." These images are meant to shock the reader and to make them feel the weight of colonialism.
The poem then takes another turn, as Neruda begins to speak directly to the colonizer. He asks, "Have you not done enough?" He urges the colonizer to recognize the harm that they have caused and to take responsibility for it. He speaks of the need for "justice and freedom" and the importance of "brotherhood and peace."
Neruda's message is clear: colonialism is a burden that must be lifted. He is calling for an end to the exploitation and oppression of the colonized. He is urging the colonizer to recognize the humanity of the colonized and to work towards a more just and equitable world.
In conclusion, The White Man's Burden by Pablo Neruda is a powerful poem that speaks to the heart of the human condition. It is a call to action, urging the reader to recognize the injustices of colonialism and to take a stand against it. Neruda's use of language is evocative and powerful, painting a vivid picture of the suffering that colonialism inflicts upon the colonized. His message is one of hope and justice, urging us all to work towards a more just and equitable world.
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