“White man’s burden” poem.
Checking Your
Understanding: Applying Cultural Criticism
Cultural criticism examines how different religions, ethnicities, class identifications, political beliefs, and individual viewpoints affect the ways in which texts are created and interpreted. Cultural Criticism suggests that being a part of—or excluded from—a specific group or culture contributes to and affects our understanding of texts.
a) How does this poem reveal the attitudes and behaviors of a dominant culture?
b) How does it portray the culture of those who are being conquered or oppressed?
c) How has your own culture influenced how you perceive and interpret this poem?
d) Do you sympathize with the white man?
e) Is there any truth to the claim that imperialism imposes a burden on those who engage in it?