British imperialism and Kipling - Essay Example

British imperialism and Kipling Among the stories of Kipling "The Man Who Would Be King" offers an important incite and comparison into ambitions if individuals in the British Empire thus considered an imperial allegory. The dreams of the two men of ruling the foreign land become a reality. Both Carnehan and Dravot succeeded and were kings. However, the outcome from the story the two men, is that Dravot and Carnehan, who tried to portray themselves up as “rulers”, realizes that their ambitions and fantasy are only proper as long as their subterfuge held up.

For instance, when they are exposed the natives turn on them since they were as men as opposed to gods. Dravot being singled out as "neither God nor Devil but a man!" (p, 67). The result of their action was hostility from the natives. In a similar way, the ambitions and fantasy of the British was similar to that of Peachy and Danny. Danny and Peachy through their ill ambitions, sets off for to a foreign land of Kafiristan, “where no white man has ever been since Alexander the Great” (p, 18), in pursuit of power and wealth.

This explains various British Imperialist in many parts of the world such a in Africa and India where they acquired colonies. Similarly the tendencies of the British Imperialist ended as altruism surface faded under the need to conquer and exploit natives. This was the case of Carnehan and Dravot in their fantasy. Nonetheless, the Britain strategy differs in strategy to achieve the common goal.As exemplified in the paper and looking at the events that unfolded in the book Kipling had a contradicting opinion to the subject of imperialism.

More specifically, the work of Kipling explores the power tied to imagination. In other words, he dislocates or deviates from reality and concentrates on fantasy. The very attribute and structure of his work explores the coinciding binary that exist between reality and fantasy. Kipling is rather negative concerning to the imperialist mission and its detrimental impact. In Kipling view, Imperialist actions had various negative consequences. This explains his attitude towards "the Empire." Work citedTop of FormTop of FormTop of FormKipling, Rudyard.

 The Man Who Would Be King. New York: Barse & Hopkins, 1890. Print. Bottom of FormBottom of FormBottom of FormTop of FormBottom of Form