Kim Novel Review - Book Report/Review Example

Kim Novel Review Plot of the Novel Kim is a story of a 13-year-old orphaned boy. Kim’s father worked as a British soldier, and he foretold the future of his son. Kim’s father left a birth certificate at his death that was to make Kim a glorious man. He used to say these words at his opium hours yet they were true. Kim was not supposed to part with this document because it held his future and they belonged to a great piece of magic. Men behind the yonder museum practiced this magic (Kipling, 2012). Kim’s father also foretold that this would come true at some point during Kim’s ball life, besides being exceedingly prosperous. He proclaimed that Kim ball would arise from monstrous pillars and become strong and beautiful. Colonels from the strongest army would attend to little Kim together with first class devils whose God is a red bull. Kim makes the acquaintance with a Tibetan lama, and he becomes his guide. He combines this with a task that involves information of a British commander of Russian conspiracy in India. As the chela and Kim move along the trunk road, he comes across his father’s troupe (Kipling, 2012). The troop has a red bull as their standard on green field. Kim presents his papers and the chaplain of the company takes him in to attend British school. The lama continues with her journey under the protection of an Indian woman who is exceptionally rich. Kim’s novel is like a combination of three greatest works two of which are by Mark Twain. The combination of this work is known as Huckleberry Finn and yet makes sense. The two characters Kim and Huck love their freedom, which depicts the traits of Tom in dealing with authority. The lama repeats Jim to Kim’s Huck, and this shows a direct connection with the character in Don Quixote as he takes a spiritual plane. The Story The beginning five chapters are interplay between Lama and Kim. The Lama strongly believes that Kim is heaven sent to assist him locate the “river of the arrow” and get enlightenment. This makes him treat Kim as a son instead of a discipline (Kipling, 2012). The Lama is extremely distressed because he realizes that Kim will move away from him thus forsake his mission. Besides, lama also forgives Kim for distrusting him, and he includes a critical chore for Kim. The chaplain of England and the priest have an intriguing relationship. One is strict and authoritative while the other is concerned with the welfare of Kim. The author mentions two instances of India and its empire. The author mentions the meeting of the lama and Kim with a native soldier along the Grand Trunk Road. This native soldier helped the British during 1857’s mutiny. This framing of characters is not a representative of typical India as the native soldiers fought the British. The native soldiers become mad, and they turned against their officers. This is the first evil, but it could be rectified if they held their hands instead they decided to kill sahibs wives and their children (Kipling, 2012). The sahibs later came from overseas, and they called them from a strict account. This statement is resonating especially when it is coming from a native instead of a British soldier. The second incidence about the author on Indians view happens extremely quickly as he believes it is the responsibility of England to mistreat Indian. The rich woman that Kim and the Lama travel with is treated with high praise by the police constable they meet. Hence, she responds differently to the reaction of the police constable where the woman deems that it is a form of an over justice. She believes that they are familiar with the land and their customs. White women suckle other people who are new from Europe as they learn the tongues from books, which are inimical than the pandemic. This is because they harm the kings hence implying that people showing thoroughness to India are living up to their moral responsibilities. Chapter 6 to 10 describes Kim’s formal education as well as his informal learning. This part describes Kim’s adventure although there are adventurous themes in this part of the novel. The life of Kim as he enters school is extremely significant in the novel where he believes he is exceptional Kim in the world. Kim’s quote is unwelcoming, and this contradicts his behavior. As he alters the words “who is Kim”, which features his identity resides in the British controlled India. Kim’s words are for understanding his identity in the land (Kipling, 2012). The section also shows the contradiction between the Lama and Kim. He cares deeply for Kim since he pays for his school fees and he waits to see him at school for half a day. This contradicts with his actions because he pretends to be detached from the chela. Lama behaves in such a manner because he wants to keep Kim in school and he does not want to be too attached to him. Too much attachment will derail him from his mission for looking for enlightenment. Many father figures and guides look after Kim. The novel Kim has many male figures and the only significant female figure is Huneefa who casts many spells for protecting Kim. The Great Game The entire premise of the Great Game is tiresome and created. Even though, there are some struggles between England and Russia the drama evolved is like a cartoon. The adults repeat that uttering a wrong word might result to the death of a person even if the person had stayed for a long time divulging the secrets. The collected information is laughable today even though it was in an age where facts were difficult to collect. This is because there was massive tension and hostility that made no sense. Instead of sill romanticizing and building the foundation of the Great Game, it feels that the entire conceit is untrue. It is annoying to see how the adults recognize Kims potential since they hammer it often. The concluding parts of the novel Kim are particularly entertaining than the middle section. This is because there are several themes discussed in the book. Kim’s development and his search for identity are central in the novel. The devotion he shows the Lama as well as the responsibility he takes on the Great Game hurts Kim. This proves that he is mature because of affection and attachment he shows towards the Lama. Kim recognizes two types of illusion, which are Lurgan’s and Lamas achievement. He becomes more responsible, and this is evident while he risks his life on retribution of Lamas assault. He continues with his duty for acquiring the spy documents as he supports the Lama in his spiritual journey (Kipling, 2012). Kim rejects sensual pleasures because they will distract him from his mission. This makes him prominent because of the developments he has achieved. It is a spun into celebration and joy because of the developments even though there is several self- doubts. These encompass who he is, but he receives an answer of despair before enlightenment. The revelation by Kim occurs a few moments before the Lama reveals his attainment. This is a delightful passage with the love of a father. Before the Lama reveals his attainment, he tells Kim that all his thoughts were thee ward. This makes the Lama think that he has achieved his enlightenment, but after turning back for his anxiety for Kim, he achieves true enlightenment. The true enlightenment is achieved because he is truly concerned with Kim’s welfare. There are few significant females in the middle section of the book, but in the last section, the Kulu widow appears with her noteworthy contribution. The window is kind and hospitable since she has a zealous heart. This gives the woman merit because of her generous actions. The woman of shamlegh puts Kim into temptation by offering him carnal pleasure even though; he gives him and lama the necessary things for survival when they return to the plains. The novel Kim consists of many male figures, but the few female figures assist the men in their mission. Kim as a Spy After attending school for three years, Kim takes a government job to start his role in the Great Game. He takes a break before he starts the job in the government. After the break, he joins the Lama, and they make a trip to Himalayas (Kipling, 2012). At this point, the spying and spiritual strings of the narration collide as the lama conflicts with the Russian agents. Kim collects intelligence papers from the Russian that he uses to undermine the British controlling the area. Mookherjee becomes friends with the Russians with an intention of confusing them as he acts as a guide. He ensures that the Russians will not get the documents they lost. Kim uses those documents to rescue the Lama with assistance from the porters and villagers. The Lama notes that he has lost track in his mission of finding the “river of the arrow”. He realizes that the search should be taking place in the plains but not in the mountains. The Lama and Kim are treated after their difficult journey. Kim gives the Russian documents to Hurree, and Mahbub who is concerned with Ali comes to check on Kim. Reference Kipling, R. (2012). Kim. New York: Cricket House Books. Read More