Irwin's references

Joseph Rudyard Kipling was a Nobel prize winning English poet and novelist described by George Orwell as "the prophet of British imperialism." Kipling was born in Bombay to English parents, however he did return to England for his education as was the custom of children whose parents were serving in India. He lacked the academic ability to go to a prestigious university in England, so his parents obtained him a job working as a headmaster of an arts school in modern-day Pakistan. Kipling's famous works include the 'Jungle Book' as well as 'The white man's burden' which has become emblematic of European racism and a justification of white colonialism. This is why Akhthar objects to Irwin's praise of Kipling as he is perceived by many to be a racist and a big proponent of the British empire which colonized and occupied India. Akthar could have seen this praise at the very least culturally insensitive or a forgiveness or support of Kipling's racism. Irwin tries to present Kipling as the antidote to the the war loving poets of Owen and Sassoon. Akthar's response also demonstrates his and the rest of the boys extensive knowledge of literature. Douglas Haig was a British war general,