Reinterpreting R. Kipling’s literary heritage: the poem “If” and its feminist parodies

Abstract

England in the 19th century, especially during the early years of Queen Victoria’s reign, stood at the very peak of social and economic development in the Western world, leading it in almost every aspect. Also, this was the age when one of the greatest and most highly controversial writers, Rudyard Kipling was born and came under fire from both critics and contemporary writers who saw in his views and works imperialist and racist motives. On the other hand, there were and still are critics and biographers who though in their assessment consider him a controversial author, see in him one of the greatest British writers. Thus, the present article is devoted to identifying the origins of the imposed image of the great poet as “imperialist” and “racist” as well as either substantiating or refuting these allegations which in turn, may contribute to a better understanding of Kipling’s literary legacy and its impact on the world of literature.

The contradictory – and at times mutually exclusive – interpretations of Kipling’s work may be explained by many factors, both objective and subjective. Primarily, however, they stem from the complexity of the historical and cultural era in which he lived and developed his worldview. With this in mind, Kipling may be considered a genuine representative of his epoch: a man loyal to his nation, and a writer whose works serve as a reflection for the entire reality of the era with all its ideas, beliefs, and expectations. In terms of poetry, it is a completely different world, in which one can feel the special vision of the writer, his original talent and experience as a journalist. However, while it is acknowledged that his literary works can be perceived in different ways, the importance of the context and time in which they were written should also be emphasised.

The works of Kipling, like many other authors of the past are embedded in the historical context and reflect the views and norms of their time which may not correspond to modern ideas of equality. It is quite clear that the author’s intention was to reflect the realities of his time, not to propagate certain ideologies. Consequently, despite ongoing attempts to stigmatise him as a supporter and promoter of British colonialism, Kipling’s name and works continue to hold a prominent place not only in the history of English and world literature, but also in the memory of many generations of readers.