Literature Research

Mohamed Khider University of Biskra
Faculty of Letters and Languages

Department of English Language
Research Paper
Letters and Foreign Languages
English Language
Titled: Rudyard Kipling’s Kim
Submitted by: Under supervision:

‫ ـ‬Belkhiri serine DR BOULEGROUNE
‫ ـ‬Al guess meriem
Academic Year: 2023/2024

Introduction
1. Biography of the author Rudyard Kipling
2. The Summary of the novel “KIM” by Rudyard Kipling
3. Characters of the novel
4. Themes of the novel
5. Literary devices
Conclusion
2
Introduction :
Kim is a novel by Rudyard Kipling, first published in 1901. It is set in late 19th century
India, and tells the story of Kimball O'Hara, an orphaned Irish boy who is raised by a
band of Tibetan lamas. Kim becomes a spy for the British government, and his
adventures take him all over India.
1.Biography of the author:
Kipling was an English writer and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature. He is best known for
his poems and stories set in India during the period of British imperial rule.
Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India, on 30 December 1865. His father was an artist and
teacher. In 1870, Kipling was taken back to England to stay with a foster family in Southsea and
then to go to boarding school in Devon. In 1882, he returned to India and worked as a journalist,
writing poetry and fiction in his spare time. Books such as 'Plain Tales from the Hills' (1888)
gained success in England, and in 1889 Kipling went to live in London.
In 1892, Kipling married Caroline Balestier, the sister of an American friend, and the couple
moved to Vermont in the United States, where her family lived. Their two daughters were born
there and Kipling wrote 'The Jungle Book' (1894). In 1896, a quarrel with his wife's family
prompted Kipling to move back to England and he settled with his own family in Sussex. His son
John was born in 1897.
By now Kipling had become an immensely popular writer and poet for children and adults. His
books included 'Stalky and Co.' (1899), 'Kim' (1901) and 'Puck of Pook's Hill' (1906). The 'Just
3
So Stories' (1902) were originally written for his daughter Josephine, who died of pneumonia
aged six.
Kipling turned down many honours in his lifetime, including a knighthood and the poet
laureateship, but in 1907, he accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature, the first English author to be
so honored.
In 1902, Kipling bought a 17th century house called Bateman's in East Sussex where he lived for
the rest of his life. He also travelled extensively, including repeated trips to South Africa in the
winter months. In 1915, his son, John, went missing in action while serving with the Irish Guards
in the Battle of Loos during World War One. Kipling had great difficulty accepting his son's death
- having played a major role in getting the chronically short-sighted John accepted for military
service - and subsequently wrote an account of his regiment, 'The Irish Guards in the Great War'.
He also joined the Imperial War Graves Commission and selected the biblical phrase inscribed on
many British war memorials: 'Their Name Liveth For Evermore'. Kipling died on 18 January 1936
and is buried at Westminster Abbey.
2.summary of the novel:
Kim is an orphaned Irish boy who is raised by a band of Tibetan lamas. Kim is a gifted child, and
he quickly learns the ways of the lamas. He is also a skilled athlete, and he is able to run and jump
with great agility .Kim’s life changes when he meets Mahbub Ali, a Pathan horse trader. Mahbub
Ali takes Kim under his wing, and he teaches him the ways of the bazaar. Kim becomes a skilled
thief, and he is able to steal anything he wants. Kim’s life takes another turn when he meets Colonel
Creighton, a British officer. Colonel Creighton is impressed with Kim’s skills, and he recruits him
as a spy. Kim is given the task of infiltrating the Indian independence movement. Kim's
adventures take him all over India. He travels from the bustling streets of Lahore to the
4
remote mountains of Tibet. He meets people from all walks of life, and he learns about
the many different cultures of India. Kim's journey is one of self-discovery. He learns about
his own identity, and he learns about the meaning of life. He also learns about the
importance of friendship and loyalty.
3.Characters of the novel
Main characters:
1-Kimball O'Hara (Kim): The protagonist of the novel, Kim is an orphaned Irish boy
raised by an Indian ayah and later by a band of Tibetan lamas.
2-The Teshoo lama : A wise and enigmatic Tibetan lama, the Teshoo Lama embarks on a
spiritual quest to find the sacred River of Life
3- Mahbub Ali : skilled horse trader and spy, Mahbub Ali takes Kim under his wing and teaches
him the ways of the bazaar
Secondary characters:
1-The hindu boy: young Hindu boy who becomes Kim’s companion on his travels, the Hindu
Boy represents the diversity and religious tolerance of India
2- The old man :former sepoy who participated in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Old Man
represents the history and struggles of India
3-Annie Shott: kim’s love interest she was a British girl who is kind and beautiful she represent
the new India
4. Themes of the novel :
Identity and belonging: Kim, the orphaned protagonist, is a liminal figure, belonging neither
fully to British nor Indian society.
5
Imperialism and colonialism: The novel is set against the backdrop of British rule in India, and
Kipling’s portrayal of imperialism is complex and nuanced. He both celebrates and critiques the
British presence in India, highlighting the benefits of British rule while also acknowledging its
negative effects on Indian culture and society.
Spirituality and religion: Kim's journey is also a spiritual one, as he becomes
increasingly drawn to the teachings of the lama
Friendship and loyalty: Kim forms strong bonds with a variety of characters, including the lama,
Mahbub Ali, and Lurgan Sahib.
5.litrary devices:
1-Symbolism: Symbols are used throughout the novel to represent deeper meanings
and themes
2-Allegory: The novel can be read as an allegory for the clash of East and West, with
Kim as a figure who embodies both worlds
3-.Magical realism: The novel incorporates elements of magic realism, blurring the lines
between reality and the supernatural.
4-Folklore and Myth: The novel draws on Indian folklore and myth, incorporation
elements such as the search for the River of the Arrow and the concept of chakras.
Conclusion:
In Rudyard Kipling’s novel “Kim,” an orphaned boy navigates the complexities of British India,
embracing adventure, spirituality, and cultural exploration. His experiences shape him into a
unique individual, bridging Eastern and Western worlds.

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Mohamed Khider University of Biskra

Faculty of Letters and Languages

Titled: Rudyard Kipling’s Kim

Submitted by: Under supervision:

Academic Year: 2023/2024

1. Biography of the author Rudyard Kipling

2. The Summary of the novel “KIM” by Rudyard Kipling

3. Characters of the novel

4. Themes of the novel

adventures take him all over India.

1.Biography of the author:

gained success in England, and in 1889 Kipling went to live in London.

John was born in 1897.

and is buried at Westminster Abbey.

2.summary of the novel:

importance of friendship and loyalty.

3.Characters of the novel

raised by an Indian ayah and later by a band of Tibetan lamas.

spiritual quest to find the sacred River of Life

him the ways of the bazaar

Boy represents the diversity and religious tolerance of India

represents the history and struggles of India

the new India

4. Themes of the novel :

fully to British nor Indian society.

negative effects on Indian culture and society.

Spirituality and religion: Kim's journey is also a spiritual one, as he becomes

increasingly drawn to the teachings of the lama

Mahbub Ali, and Lurgan Sahib.

Kim as a figure who embodies both worlds

between reality and the supernatural.

unique individual, bridging Eastern and Western worlds.

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