Its a good book after ALL
Ok, so I am happy to report that I am really enjoying Kim by Rudyard Kippling. It has gone from a confusing, hard to understand novel to a fascinating one that is hard to put down. As I continued to read Kim, I have learned many things about all of its fine characters. As the chapters move along we see Kim grow from childhood to young adulthood. Although Kim has tried to surround himself with so many, I still see him as a lone wolf. He has gotten so used to being on his own and being independent that it shows in some of his actions. In chapter 8 (if I’m not mistaken) Kim tells Mahbub Ali that 2 men are plotting to kill him but he keeps one important detail from Mahbub Ali; the second assassin is the same man who searched Mahbub Ali’s belongings when he was passed out. Kim holds on to that detail until he can find benefit from it. Mahbub Ali is a man who Kim looks up to but he still tries to hustle him. Kim uses this information to get things like food, money, etc; he seems to ALWAYS have a price. Kim is someone who may have felt some abandonment being without family and is unable to relate to someone on a that level. I struggle with this idea because on one hand Kim seems to really care about the people in his life who help him but on the other hand I can’t help but wonder if its all for a greater purpose.
Kim being at the tender age of 16, he is someone who knows himself pretty well and is pretty sure of his actions. This is a boy who is white but assimilates himself with the Indian culture. Could he truly know who he is? We get a glimpse of him questioning of himself. Who is Kim? This leads me to another question; Could Kim really know who he is when he has experienced so little of where he is from? After India achieved independence from the British empire many young Indians became confused of their identities. Being put in english schools and taught the english ways, they found it hard to assimilate with their own culture. Kim may be going through the same thing. Although he has experienced the Indian culture he is not considered an Indian and at times made fun of for speaking the language and wearing the clothes. I believe he is struggling with his identity and is unable to find where he can fit in. That is why being a spy is so important, its where he feels he belongs.
Wait, Kim is 16? I seemed to have missed that bit of information...I was imagining him to be about 10. This makes me rethink my blog post about childhood. Regardless, your comment, "I still see him as a lone wolf. He has gotten so used to being on his own and being independent that it shows in some of his actions," goes along with my thoughts about Kim. Not only is he independent, but he has a dependent, the lama.
ReplyDeleteHello Salwa!
ReplyDeleteI do agree with you that Kim, and his identity, seems to be heavily influenced by the environment he finds in, and the people he associates himself with. We saw this in class yesterday, in which his mode of thought switches depending on the situation he is in. In some cases, English is the safer option, while Hindi also proves useful. In the same vein, the people he meets influence him, such as the Lama imparting religious practices on him, Mahbub giving him spy advice, and Lurgan sharing his techniques with him. His environments also changes his character, as he behaves differently in the madrissah and the streets of India. It's interesting to look at all the places he goes, the people he meets, and see how they influence him!
Thanks!
- Shelby.
Your connection to his identity as the spy is key--it really solidifies the scattered aspects of his character. He is so fluid and transparent, it only makes sense that he above all is the spy character; his life seems so costumed to that.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the novel got better the farther along we got! Really getting into the intricacies of plot helped to develop a fondness for the characters and their actions, making the novel quite an interesting read.