Question

4. What is the poet's likely purpose in composing this

poem?
A To describe the plight of the colonized in contrast to
what Kipling calls the “white man's burden"
B To fight for Native American rights and honor those
who were killed
C To solely denounce English colonization and
imperialism
D To respond solely to Kipling's poem

Answer 1

D. To respond solely to Kipling's poem.

Step-by-step explanation:

Rudyard Kipling's famous poem "The White Man’s Burden: The United States and the Philippine Islands" makes the argument justifying white people's act of 'civilizing' third world nations. This racist argument supports that white men have the moral responsibility of conquering and dominating the nations.

So, that same year Kipling's poem was published, Rev. H.T. Johnson wrote a response to the racist poem. His poem "The Black Man's Burden" addressed the issue of white men subjugating nonwhite people. The poem's speaker critiques the policies of America and how it oppresses and tyrannizes non-white races, in the name of civilization. He also argues that this act will only lead to more history of racism and oppression in the history of America.

Thus, the correct answer is option D.