Abstract This paper presents biographical information on the life of RudyardKipling. It looks at Kipling's early years in India, his years with an abusive caretaker in England, and his school years. The paper also examines the stages in Kipling's career, some of his writings, and his death.
From the Paper "Aside from the abuse that he received and the bullying that went on, which made for some hard first years at the school, Kipling recalls the school as clean without any epidemics. His writings also viewed the bullying as a silly and childish past time for those whom were soon to become men. Everyday he would read greedily and write even more selfishly as if these things were going to be taken from him. One reason for this could have been that his sister learned these things at a younger age than he. J.I.M. Stewart wrote that it has been said that Rudyard's favorite writer may have been Tom Jones, which contributed to his literary style (28). Since the school was a military based school, all of the boys were pushed to enter the army. But from a young age, it was very noticeable to all that came in contact with Kipling that he was not going to pursue that route."
Tags: writer, bombay, india, aunty, rosa, westward, ho, kim, jungle, book
Abstract This paper discusses the life and works of Nobel Prize-winning author, RudyardKipling. The paper presents a brief biography of Kipling's youth in India, his marriage, and family life. The paper contends that his life experiences shaped much of his work. The scope of Kipling's work allows us to see how he was influenced by his personal experiences. He was able to draw from his experiences and punctuate them with realism and imaginative qualities. The paper provides reference to some of his literary works, specifically to his most famous, "The Jungle Book".
From the Paper "From very early in his life Rudyard Kipling's experiences would influence his writing. Kipling was born in Bombay, India on December 30, 1865. During this time, the country was controlled by Victorian England. Kipling's father was an artisan who moved the family to India intentionally "to India purposefully to encourage, support, and restore native Indian art against the incursions of British business interests" (Cantalupo). These early Indian experiences would later reappear in many of his works. As a young man, Kipling attended the United Services College in Devonshire, where he became inspired to read and write. He once traveled with his father to France, which "sparked in him a lifelong interest in that country and its people" (Sullivan 8). Because his parents did not have enough money to send Kipling to Oxford, he returned to India to write for a newspaper for the Civil and Military Gazette in Bombay, a career that lasted seven years. During this time, he also began writing short stories and poems."
Abstract The paper paints a picture of Kipling as one of the most controversial authors in modern times who was first admired and then shunned by critics. The paper describes Kipling's background and examines why he was the target of much criticism and then presents an interview with an English professor who is familiar with Kipling's work. The paper concludes that Kipling was able to write in many genres, many voices and to millions of people around the world and will be remembered by his fans as an author of classic literature regardless of his many critics.
Outline:
Introduction
Kipling's Life
Critics and Kipling Discussion of Kipling's Works
Criticisms
Interview
Conclusion
From the Paper "Since the beginning of time authors of literature have used their works to convey thoughts, emotions, ideas and facts. Most authors choose whether they want to write fiction, non-fiction poetry or something else and they spend their writing career contributing to that area of literature, however, every once in awhile a writer comes along who is so talented that he or she can cross over into all areas of literature and succeed. Such was the case of well known author Rudyard Kipling. Kipling was a writer who knew no boundaries. His work in non-fiction was equaled by his work in fiction. His poems touched the hearts of millions even while he was busy working on a short story or a piece of non-fiction for others."
This paper looks at RudyardKipling's work 'Kim' and shows how the character Kim and Teshoo Lama are symbolic representations of the West and the East respectively.
Abstract In this article, the writer depicts RudyardKipling's novel 'Kim' as a parable concerning the relationship between the East and the West. The characters of Kim and Teshoo Lama are shown to be symbolic representations of the West and the East respectively. The writer discusses that in this novel the West seeks the path of mind and activity, while the Eastern path is characterized by the soul and submission. The writer concludes that Kipling demonstrates that though the paths are diametrically opposed to each other, they are not mutually antagonistic, and in fact each is dependent on the other to succeed.
From the Paper "On the other hand, we are sympathetic towards Colonel Creighton and others at St Xavier's school, where Kim is sent from the military base to finish his schooling. It is an institution sincerely devoted to spreading education in India, and in this society Kim finally fits in. The implication is that India in vitally necessary to Kim's self discovery, and on a more general note, it is vital to the Western quest as a whole.
"In the same way Teshoo Lama's quest is hopeless without the Western presence in India. The river he seeks is not a material place, but is rather a destination of the soul. But when he arrives at Lahore in the first stage of his quest, we can only feel pity for the man, who is bereft of the least clue at to how to proceed, and is only equipped with some hazy notions about a material river."
Abstract The paper relates that RudyardKipling's "If" is an inspirational poem containing mottos and maxims for life, that is also a blueprint for integrity and self-development during adulthood. The paper analyzes the various stanzas of the poem and explains that although reflecting Victorian values, "If" is still relevant today, because the core of morality is not altered by the passing of time.
From the Paper "Rudyard Kipling's "If" is an inspirational poem which was first published in his collection "Rewards and Fairies" in 1909. The poem "If" is structured into four stanzas and has a total of thirty-two lines. It is conceived as a fatherly address and contains a set of 'rules' for living. The poem is both inspirational and motivational, and provides the imaginary son the poet addresses with a set of norms - expressed as advice - that one must follow in life. "If" contains mottos and maxims for life, but also a blueprint for integrity and self-development during adulthood. The themes of the poem are both personal and private values. In order to fully understand what Kipling is trying to convey through his poem, "If", one must reflect upon the meaning of the term 'value' as well as its significance within both the private and the public spheres."
Abstract By examining two of RudyardKipling's novels, "Kim" and "Plain Tales", the author of the paper shows how Kipling's dual theme of imperialism, yet strong portrayal and seemingly contradictory love and fascination of India are exposed in his works.
From the Paper "In Lispeth, the first of the short stories in The Plain Tales, the principal character is the daughter of natives, who gets baptized as a Christian by her parents in order to gain protection from the missionaries. Though Lispeth was a Hill girl, she was fair and very lovely and with her English habits and name was not fully accepted by either the natives or the British. Again, one sees here Kipling's tendency to weave a story of Colonial England's intermingling with native India with a thread of imperialism nevertheless present. "
Tags: Tibet, Government, Secret, Service, Urdu, Colonial, England
Abstract The paper examines H. Rider Haggard's "King Solomon's Mines" and RudyardKipling's "The Man Who Would Be King" to contrast the way in which these two authors reflect 19th century colonialism. The paper considers the political and social climate that existed during this period. The paper then compares the social, political and religious themes present within the stories with 19th century conceptions of society, humanity and man's place in the world. The paper shows how both Kipling and Haggard portray the racial, social and political prejudices that were dominant with 19th century Europe.
Outline:
Introduction
Historical Background
Nineteenth Century Religious and Social Conceptions
Examples of Imperialism/Colonialism
Conclusion
From the Paper "The British Empire, which was the largest and most powerful empire in world history, originated from the European "age of discovery," which commenced in the 15th century with extensive maritime explorations into uncharted territories. As a result of the riches available within the newly discovered territories, Britain, and other European countries, throughout the following centuries colonized the majority of the world's nations. The most powerful of these, however, is clearly that of the British Empire, which colonized some 36.6 million square kilometers of territory (about one quarter of the world's total land area), and of which included approximately 458 million people (Maddison, 2001)."
Abstract This paper discusses how Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" and RudyardKipling's "Kim" are in essence descriptions of what happens when Europeans attempt to force their cultural values on other countries. The paper contends that both stories have something important and valid to say and that even though they place their characters as the speakers, the authors' voices are also heard in these pieces. The paper also examines how RudyardKipling's book is much milder and less cautionary than Joseph Conrad's and how Kipling's Kim is a character that takes on many characteristics of both sides, the British and the Indian. On the other hand, Kurtz, in "Heart of Darkness" absolutely shows the reader the horrors and evils that colonialism inflicts on the colonized.
From the Paper "Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim presents two sides of colonialism in the British rule of India, but the British side is presumed right as much as Kipling did not want to be labeled racist. In this novel, the white man has the burden of ruling the dark and therefore inferior races. Kipling wrote this novel at a time when British rule was, in fact, being questioned. As Mistry says in a critique, "These characters enable Kipling to explore the way colonialism defined its own social boundaries and Kipling uses this to show how native mentality and British supremacy often came into confrontation. (Mistry). These two forces are in conflict as Kipling writes the book. "
Abstract This paper analyzes the place of women in RudyardKipling's novel "Kim". It will start off with a brief introduction about Kipling himself and will then move on to identify the role that women have according to the novel.
Abstract Sometimes things are not as easy as they appear. The writer shows how RudyardKipling makes this point in his poem, ?If,? in which he expresses the difficulty involved with being a real human being. It explains that, while being a man or a woman may seem like an easy thing to do, the poet explores what it means to be a real and genuine man and, as a result, demonstrates how difficult that may be. With a straightforward style that speaks to the common man, Kipling points out that being a real man or woman is a difficult challenge in any age.
From the Paper "The poet approaches the reader of "If" in a very straightforward manner. He presents the reader with a series of hypothetical events that will ultimately help him determine if he is a real man or woman. From the beginning of the poet, the poet introduces situations that, while they may be hypothetical, they are common and somewhat difficult. The opening lines set the tone of the poem with the poet writing, "If you can dream - and not make dreams your master,/If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim" (Kipling 1-2). The poem continues with similar hypothetical situations related to common situations and occurrences."
Abstract This paper analyzes the children's short story "Rikki-tikki-tavi" by RudyardKipling. The first part of the paper is devoted to an overview fo the life, accomplishments and impact of Kipling. Then the paper turns to an analysis of his short story aimed at children, "Rikki-tikki-tavi". The paper explains that the story is a metaphor of the coming of age of a young protector and the colonialist struggle between India and England. The paper summarizes the story's plot and then offers the author's personal feelings and opinions about the impact of the story. The author calls it heart-breaking, commenting that while the story is enjoyable for children it is especially poignant and powerful for adults.
From the Paper "One might guess just from this set of characters where the central tension lies - for Rikki-tikki must fight nobly to save his friends and family, and on that level the reader respects him, yet at the same time one understands that by being "tamed" by the white man, as it were, Rikki's human models were eradicating their own native history and religion. (Thus only the snakes speak of faith or of family, but the mongoose is an orphan with no culture) On that first level, the plot is simple and universally understood by children. Rikki is saved as an infant; he grows to maturity and faces the dangers of the world as embodied by the snakes; he learns to face them in his home, and finally in their own domain as well. Finally, Rikki emerges as an adult. On the other level, the plot is hidden in symbols, but equally universal nonetheless in Kipling's era: the white men come, and as per "the White Man's Burden" they "serve [the] captives' need"(Kipling) and convert those who have lost their families and culture to their service; those with power and faith to resist for the sake of their children do so, but the strength of the white man's guns and his toothy converts inevitably put down their revolution and kill their young. In the end, only those who are faithful to the white man or two stupid to understand their risk (as the birds are), are left."
Tags: mongoose, orphan, cobra, england, india, rikki, colonialism
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at the themes and characters in the books "Kim" by RudyardKipling and "Germinal" by Emile Zola. The writer discusses one theme that appears in both novels, that is the idea prevalent in Europe prior to World War II, that certain races or groups of human beings are innately prone to violence, crime and poverty. The writer contends that overall, despite the evenhanded emphasis that both authors attempted to make with their tales, "Germinal" and "Kim" both reflect values and notions of race and class that are very out of place in the modern world. The writer concludes that Kipling sees the future as being typified by this conglomeration of cultural forces; he believes that it can be peaceful and that to Zola, there is still hope for socialist revolution.
From the Paper "Nevertheless, one theme that appears in both novels is the idea--prevalent in Europe prior to World War II, that certain races or groups of human beings are innately prone to violence, crime, and poverty. Zola repeatedly attributes Etienne Lantier's hot-blooded temper and addictive personality to traits that his father possessed. Such attributes, it would seem, are consequences of generations of low breeding. Meanwhile, Kipling, despite all his intricate awareness of India, appears utterly unaware of the hardships that imperialism had brought upon the native inhabitants and, indeed, that it was the natural order of the world that Britain should rule India. Overall, despite the evenhanded emphasis that both authors attempted to make with their tales, Germinal and Kim both reflect values and notions of race and class that are very out of place in the modern world."
Abstract This paper examines how the relationship of the main protagonist of Kim to his Indian environment and to his status as a member of the British Empire is comfortably resolved for the author RudyardKipling, by the end of the novel, but not for a modern reader. It analyzes how Kim's fulfillment of his quest for a stable identity in the face of his personal social instability are paralleled throughout the novel with the political instability of the Indian subcontinent and the spiritual quest of the lama whom he befriends early in the novel's narrative. It shows how only after his friend the lama also comes to the end of his spiritual quest, Kim is able to find a answer as to who he truly is as he is perceived by the outer world, by a class and caste confused society.
From the Paper "Kim's search for identity cannot be framed in terms of an uncomplicated pairing of India versus England. Kim is the son of an Irish man, and thus at best occupies only a marginal status as an Englishman, even if he were to dwell England itself. When Kim experiences his first period of confusion, it is not in the face of Indian treachery, but in the narrow understanding possessed by those attempting to civilize him as a purely white man at St. Xavier?s. Later, Kim realizes in his training for the British Secret service, that he must make use of both his native tools of strength of mind as well as his British training in mathematics. Only by using both unique attributes in combination can he resist the test for becoming a spy he submits to be the mystic Lurgan. Lurgan marvels at the boy's uniqueness of mind, a uniqueness confirmed when Kim is comforted by a 'bairagi' during one of his crisis points of identity."
Abstract A Comparison of RudyardKipling's "If.."and Alice Walker's "a woman is not a potted plant". The discussion outlines how the two poems are set on opposite ends of the sexual spectrum.
