Question

How does H. T. Johnson use sarcasm in his poem "The Black Man's Burden"?

Answer 1

Answer:

A. He says that the natives "tolerate" the imperialist armies' rifles, when those rifles are actually killing the natives.

Explanation:

The natives tolerate the rifles while fighting with sticks. This is clear sarcasm, since they were dying because of the oppression caused by the fire arms of the European people. The "fearless" soldiers who had a clear unfair advantage on the battle field.

Hail ye your fearless armies,

Which menace feeble folks

Who fight with clubs and arrows

and brook your rifle’s smoke.

Answer 2

A). He says that the natives tolerate the imperialist armies' rifles, when those rifles are actually killing the natives.