Mowgli, a native living amongst the wolves, is the protagonist of The Jungle Book. Mowgli is wild and brave but at the same time, immature. His immaturity trait is demonstrated when he says,"'What of it? I am sleepy, Bagheera, and Shere Khan is all long tail and loud talk-like Mao, the Peacock"(Kipling, 19). Mowgli is motivated by fitting in and he changes throughout the short stories of The Jungle Book by learning who his true family had become.
Akela is an Indian wolf who is fair and virtuous, and as a result, is motivated by following the laws of the jungle. Aklela is represented as a martyr by putting himself on the line for Mowgli. Akela states his trait when he says "'He is our brother in all but blood,' Akela went on, 'and ye would kill him here! In truth, I have heard that, under Shere Khan's teaching…" (Kipling 28).
Raksha is an Indian wolf and is the adoptive mother of Mowgli. She is represented as very maternal and strong and as being motivated by the love of her family. Raksha demonstrates her strength and love for Mowgli by defending him against Shere Khan: "' And it is I, Raksha [the demon], who answers. The man's cub is mine, Lungri - mind to me!' He shall not be killed. He shall live to run with the pack and to hunt with the Pack ; and in the end, look you, hunter of little naked cubs-frog -eater -fish-killer -he shall hunt thee!..." (Kipling, 8).
Father wolf is also an Indian wolf; he is Raksha's mate and Mowgli's adoptive father. He is very loving and protective of his family and is motivated by this - by keeping his family safe. Father wolf demonstrates this characteristic by saying, "Father wolf taught him his business, and the meaning of things in the jungle, till every rustle in the grass, every breath of the warm night air, every note of the owls above his head, every splash of every little fish jumping in a pool, meant just as much to him…"(Kipling, 15).
Baloo is a bear and he is Mowgli's friend and mentor. He is assigned the teacher role and teaches Mowgli the laws of the jungle. He is motivated by being a great teacher. This is illustrated by his teaching methods, of needing to be tough to ensure the lesson is learned. Baloo exemplifies his trait when he says, "Then the only other creature who is allowed at the pack council- Baloo, the sleepy brown bear who teaches the wolf cubs the Law of the Jungle:old Baloo, who can come and go where he pleases because he eats only nuts and roots and honey…"(Kipling, 12). Baloo changes considerably through out the Jungle Book, from sloth to an active member of the jungle society.
Bagheera is a black panther, and is a giving, supportive, great friend to Mowgli. What os special about their relationship, is the empathy that Bagheera feels towards Mowgli, as he sees himself in him-he was once living out of his natural habitat, among humans in a zoo. Throughout The Jungle Book, Bagheera changes from a recluse to a carrying member of Mowgli's extended family. This is exemplified when Mowgli is kidnapped by the Bander-log. This trait is stated when he says,"Sometimes Bagheera the Black Panther would come lounging through the jungle to see how this pet was getting on and would purr with his head against a tree while Mowgli recited the day's lesson to Baloo"(Kipling, 35).
Kaa is an Indian python, who is huge and powerful. He is greatly motivated by food, as well as helping rescue Mowgli from the monkeys, using hypnosis. By aiding Mowgli in his time of need, Kaa becomes a more sympathetic character of this jungle.
Hathi is an Indian elephant who is the head of the elephant troop. Hathi represents dignity and obedience and is motivated by being fair and following the law of the jungle.
Shere Khan, a Bengal tiger, is the antagonist of The Jungle Book. He sees himself as the lord of the jungle; he holds grudges, and he is consistently involved in other's business. Shere Khan is motivated by power and authority. These characteristics are demonstrated at the council meeting when he says,"Shere Khan, the Big One, has shifted his hunting grounds. He will hunt among these hills for the next moon, so he has told me"(Kipling, 3). Shere Khan does not show a great change in The Jungle Book; however before he dies, we hope that he may have had an opportunity to reflect and learn from his faults.
Tabaqui is a golden jackal, who is extremely cowardly and spineless. He is motivated by following Shere Khan and how own desires, without others in mind. This negative quality is displayed when he says "...Tabaqui, more than anyone else in the jungle, is apt to go mad, and then he forgets that he was ever afraid of anyone and runs through the forest biting everything in his way"(Kipling,2). Tabaqui also dies in the end.
Grey brother is an Indian wolf and is the oldest of Raksha and father wolf's cubs; he is a brother to Mowgli. He, like his mother and father, is dedicated to his family and is very brave. He is motivated by ensuring Mowgli's safety by advising him of Shere Khan's doing and his where a bouts.
In The Jungle Book, the protagonist is Mowgli and the antagonist is Shere Khan. A great part of this story follows the conflict between Mowgli and Shere Khan and represents the central purpose. The minor characters help in establishes this conflict and to also support the theme expressed by the author. The minor characters include Bander-log, Hathi's sons, Mang the bat, Rama, Mysa, Chil, Ikki, Tha, Thuu, Phao, as well as the characters in the story Rikki-Tiki-Tavi, and the human characters including Messua, her husband, Nathoo, and Buldeo.
The author uses several methods to reveal character. The first way was the setting that the characters are in-it reveals who they are by way of how they survive. Another way the characters are revealed is through their dialogue with one another(QUOTES). And finally the characters are revealed by the conflict that they find themselves in and how they deal with this conflict. I feel that the characters are sufficiently dramatized. An example of how so is the Bander-log, the scatter brained monkeys,"They are very many, evil, dirty, shameless, and they desire, if they have any fix desire to be noticed by the Jungle People"(Kipling, 41) . The author makes great use of contrast between characters to establish their individual characters. This is seen with the characters of Baloo and Bagheera. Although they are both Mowgli's friends, they are very different. It is demonstrated by the conversation between Bagheera and Baloo just before Mowgli is kidnapped, "'Softly! What dost thou know of softness, old iron-feet?' Bagheera grunted"(Kipling, 36) As well, with Akela and Shere Khan, the contrasts created by Kipling's make known the former is noble and the latter, not so noble. It is portrayed when Akela says" Some of years eaters of cattle, and of others I have heard that, under Shere Khan's teaching, ye go by dark night and snatch children from the villager's doorstep"(Kipling,27).
The characters of The Jungle Book are consistent in their actions. This is scene in the characters of Mowgli, Shere Khan, and Tabaqui. Mowgli is a wild child, trying to find his way and his home throughout the story Shere Khan, throughout the duration of The Jungle Book, is consistent in his belief that he is lord of the jungle and is motivated by Killing. Mogwli, just as he wanted to when Mowgli was initially discovered . Finally, Tabaqui is consistently represented as a follower who os very greedy. This is demonstrated at the beginning when looking for food in the wolf cave and throughout with his interactions with Shere Khan, It is exemplified: " . The characters of The Jungle Book are adequately motivated; most of them being motivated by survival, food, and their conflicts and interactions with the rest of the jungle society. These characters are also plausible- Rudyard Kipling creates characters that are representative of their animal traits. For example, Tabaqui is a jackal, and jackal's are seen as being "clown", always laughing and bothersome, which is how Tabaqui os represented. The author of The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling, avoids creating and using stock characters. He simply sticks to the important characters who have a role in the story and help establish the central theme.
Each character that is integral to establishing the central theme is developed fully to justify his/her told in the story. For example, Mowgli is the character that os determining where and how he fits in Kipling establishes this by introducing him being abandoned in the jungle, his journey to fit in amongst the law of the jungle, his attempts to fit in with the villagers after living in the jungle and again working with his discovered family and friends to kill Shere khan, "Shere Khan needed no more trampling. He was dead, and the kites were coming for him already. 'Brothers, that was a dog's death,' said Mowgli, feeling for that he lived with men. 'But he would never have shown fight Wallah! his hide look well on the Council roc. We must get to work swiftly"(Kipling, 121). The main characters of The Jungle Book are also considered round versus flat. They are characters who are established by they motivations and are changing throughout the course of the story, This is particularly true of the character Bagheera. Kipling establishes him as a strong character who rarely gets involved in the politics of the jungle; however because he emphasizes with Mowgli, he unselfishly saves him. Bagheera learns to love Mowgli and finally becomes one of the best friend and confidants. When Baloo found red flower which means a fire, he let Mowgli know and he was able to kill Shere Khan by his help.
There are developing characters present in The Jungle Book. Two examples include Mowgli and Baloo. Mowgli begins the story as a small child who is scared and left in the unknown environment of the jungle He learns the laws of the jungle and as a result, the expectations for him, and his bravery is revealed. It is stated before Mowgli mature, "'Then by the Bull that for me, I will pay Shere Khan full tale for this, and it may be a little over said Mowgli"(Kipling,22). However, after Mowgli became more brave and independent, This quotation reveals this change,"'Go, and peace go with thee. Only, another time do not meddle with my game. Let him go, Akela'"(Kipling,123). Baloo is introduced as a tired bear, who just happens to be a teacher. As his lessons progress with Mowgli, his strong teaching approach is revealed, as well as his determination to make Mowgli an important member of the jungle. This is portrayed by this quote, "'That is all one to me,' said Baloo, though he was urt and grieved. 'Tell Bagheera, then, the Master Words of the Jungle that I have taught thee this day'"(Kipling, 20). These changes are significant as they establish the characters growth and these characters are very plausible considering the circumstances these characters find themselves in. The motivation of these particular characters make the development and change possible.
Jungle Book Platinum Edition. Photograph. (Home Theater) by Lisa Perkis. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://www.mouseplanet.com/6942/Jungle_Book_Platinum_Edition>.
The Jungle Book Pictures, Photos & Images. Photograph. The Jungle Book Pictures and Images. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://www.free-extras.com/search/1/the jungle book.htm>.
The Jungle Book Pictures, Photos & Images. Photograph. The Jungle Book Pictures and Images. Web. 10 Apr. 2012. <http://www.free-extras.com/search/1/the jungle book.htm>.
Wow Amy. Love to see you using the theory of literary analysis and the use of specific terms...
ReplyDeleteYou have lots of ideas that will support your argument of the work as an effective and engaging piece.