The purpose of this paper is to introduce, discuss, and analyze the poem "Gunga Din" by Rudyard Kipling. Specifically it will discuss the representation of the man as well as stereotyping by the author. "Gunga Din" is one of Rudyard Kipling's most well-known and beloved poems, although today it might seem tainted with prejudice and racial slurs. At the time it was written, at the turn of the twentieth century, it was a step forward in ethnic literature, and brought the plight of the subjugated Indian people to light. Prejudice cannot exist without stereotyping and misunderstanding, and this poem contains both. Nevertheless, it is still a classic representative of the ideals and morals of another time.
             Throughout this classic poem, the author represents Gunga Din as a dark-skinned Indian servant, not worthy of even a uniform, who tirelessly serves the British troops without question or complaint. In the 1890s and beyond, this attitude about colonial subjects permeated imperialist nations such as Great Britain, and it abounds in this classic poem. Din is a stereotypical Indian manservant, who should be content to serve those "better" than him, and receive beatings and tongue-lashings without complaint, and he does all of this and more. He gives his life for the men who berate and beat him, even though this too is a stereotypical situation calling for a stereotypical response. The reader would not blame Din if he walked off the job and refused to serve the oafs who make fun of him, but in stereotypical fashion, Din continues to serve them, and ultimately saves the life of one of them. This was exactly what the English expected of their colonial subjects, and Kipling gave them just what they were looking for in this poem that celebrates the superiority of one race over another.
             Kipling's view of Din is that of the time, and the poem reflects these feelings of racial superiority and a desire for Indians to serve the English. ...