The Jungle Book
'The Jungle Book' Summary
A major theme in the book is abandonment followed by fostering, as in the life of Mowgli, echoing Kipling's own childhood. The theme is echoed in the triumph of protagonists including Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and The White Seal over their enemies, as well as Mowgli's. Another important theme is of law and freedom; the stories are not about animal behaviour, still less about the Darwinian struggle for survival, but about human archetypes in animal form. They teach respect for authority, obedience, and knowing one's place in society with "the law of the jungle", but the stories also illustrate the freedom to move between different worlds, such as when Mowgli moves between the jungle and the village. Critics have also noted the essential wildness and lawless energies in the stories, reflecting the irresponsible side of human nature.
Book Details
Author
Rudyard Kipling
Britain
Kipling's writing has strongly influenced that of others. His stories for adults remain in print and have garnered high praise from writers as different as Poul Anderson, Jorge Luis Borges, and Randal...
More on Rudyard KiplingDownload eBooks
Listen/Download Audiobook
Related books
Mostly About Nibble the Bunny by John Breck
Follow, “A Very Small Bunny Has a Very Big Adventure” as Nibble Rabbit romps through the clover patch and into the woods where he founds the other woo...
The Story of a White Rocking Horse by Laura Lee Hope
It is a delightful children's book that captures the imagination and adventures of a charming white rocking horse. In this enchanting story, readers a...
Puck of Pook's Hill by Rudyard Kipling
The stories are all narrated to two children living near Burwash, in the High Weald of Sussex, in the area of Kipling's own house Bateman's, by people...
Birds in the Calendar by Frederick Aflalo
Delightful sketches of British wild birds - a bird for every month of the year from the pheasant in January to the robin in December. This collection...
The Outdoor Girls at Ocean View by Laura Lee Hope
It follows the adventures of a group of teenage girls during their summer vacation at the beach. First published in 1921, this book is a classic in ch...
The Tale of Old Dog Spot by Arthur Scott Bailey
Meet Old Dog Spot, the wisest and most beloved dog in the neighborhood. The Tale of Old Dog Spot by Arthur Scott Bailey is a heartwarming and delight...
Tarzan the Terrible by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Tarzan the Terrible is a novel by American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs, the eighth in his series of twenty-four books about the title character Tarzan...
Nancy Brandon's Mystery by Lilian C. Garis
This is a captivating children's mystery book filled with suspense and adventure. This timeless story has been enjoyed by young readers for many years...
Wild Animals At Home by Ernest Thompson Seton
Wildlife artist Ernest Thompson Seton shares anecdotes of wild animals that he encountered in Yellowstone Park. "I have aimed to show something of the...
The Evolutionist at Large by Grant Allen
This is a thrilling tale that combines the captivating realms of science and suspense. From the very first page, readers are plunged into an enigmatic...
Reviews for The Jungle Book
No reviews posted or approved, yet...