Kim and Lord Jim as Colonial Protagonists: A Comparative Study

Abstract

Rudyard Kipling’sKimglorifies the British colonial rule in India. The British empire for him is the worldwide reign of peace and justice. Kipling presents Kim as a young, energetic and enthusiastic colonial hero who is interested in taking imperial trainings and working for British secret service in India. Kim is presented as a successful colonial agent who dominates the whole narrative. Kipling’s hero is never controlled,defeated or victimized by the colonized.He succeeds in the mission of colonizing thereby showing the colonial celebration of Kipling. Joseph Conrad, on the other hand,points out the colonial bad faith and fear of regression. He examines the contradictions of Whiteman’s Civilizing Mission. So he is less confident in thetreatment of colonial mastery.Lord Jimis a tale of doubt, failure and frustration which threatensthe project of European expansion. Conrad’s colonial hero Lord Jim is victimized, defeated and killed in the end, which indicates the failure of colonialism. So, thisstudy ofKimandLord Jimpresents the difference between Kipling’s celebration and Conrad’s critical attitude towards colonialism.