Similarities between Kipling and the Romantics
* Love of nature: Both Kipling and the Romantics celebrated the beauty and power of nature. Kipling's poems often feature lush descriptions of the natural world, and he frequently uses nature as a metaphor for human experience.
* Appreciation for the past: Kipling, like the Romantics, was interested in the past and often drew on historical events and legends in his work. His poem "The Ballad of East and West" is based on a true story from the 19th century, and his novel "Kim" is set in India during the Great Game.
* Emphasis on emotion: The Romantics believed that emotion was a key component of human experience, and Kipling shared this belief. His poems and stories are often deeply emotional, and he frequently explores themes of love, loss, and longing.
Differences between Kipling and the Romantics
* Kipling's imperialism: Kipling was a strong supporter of British imperialism, and his work often reflects this belief. His poem "The White Man's Burden" argues that it is the duty of white people to civilize the "uncivilized" world, and his novel "Kim" celebrates the British Raj in India. This view of imperialism is at odds with the Romantics' emphasis on individual freedom and self-expression.
* Kipling's realism: Kipling was also a realist, and his work often reflects the social and political realities of his time. His poem "The Mary Gloster" tells the story of a ship that sinks in a storm, and it is based on a real event that occurred in 1885. This focus on realism is in contrast to the Romantics' emphasis on imagination and emotion.
* Kipling's optimism: Kipling was an optimistic writer, and his work often reflects his belief in the power of human progress. His poem "If" encourages readers to persevere in the face of adversity, and his novel "Kim" ends with the protagonist returning to India to help his country achieve independence. This optimism is in contrast to the Romantics' often pessimistic view of the world.
In conclusion, Rudyard Kipling was a complex and multifaceted writer whose work reflects both similarities and differences with Romanticism. While he shared some characteristics with the Romantics, such as a love of nature and an appreciation for the past, he also diverged from them in significant ways, such as his imperialism and his realism.