For Thursday: Kipling and Kim (readings in Longman edition)

Kipling in his study, writing "Kim"

For Thursday's class, I want you to read some supplementary readings introducing Kipling and the background of Kim (1900).  You will find these readings at the end of the Longman edition beginning on page 255.  Here are the readings I want you to read and respond to for Thursday's class:

* from "Home" (255-258)
* from "The Edge of the East" (258-261)
* from "Something of Myself" (262-263)
"Lispeth" (281-285)
"The Mark of the Beast" (286-296)

In responding to these writings, consider Kipling's role as an English writer who is from India and intimately understands its languages, characters, and customs (unlike Conrad, for example, who came to Africa as an outsider).  Where does an imperialist voice clash with a 'native' voice?  Are his works 'racist'?  How does he depict Englishmen?  Indians?  What tone or point of view does the narrator offer?