Key Ideas

Rudyard Kipling’s work contains five major motifs: imperialism, nationalism, adoration of nature, misogyny, and Indian culture. By reading Kipling’s works, one is able to get a much clearer understanding of the British Empire, and their views on why they thought they must purify the Indian race, as in “The Man Who Would Be King”. According to critic Andrew Lang, “it may safely be said that Plain Tales from the Hills will teach more of India, of our task there, of the various peoples whom we try to rule, than many Blue Books” (48). It is apparent through Kipling’s writing that he loved the land of India, and knew much about it. The vivid description of the land is striking in “The Strange Ride of Morrowbie Jukes”. Edmund Gosse claims that “it is in these Indian stories that Mr. Kipling displays more than anywhere else the accuracy of his eye and the retentiveness of his memory” and that “no detail escapes him” (119). The misogyny that Kipling depicts is usually opaque, but is noticed upon critical study of female roles and portrayals in his writings. Especially in “The Phantom Rickshaw,” Mrs. Agnes Keith-Wessington is portrayed as an unfaithful, obsessive, needy woman, as are most other women in his writings. The unique nature of the Indian culture is shown in Kipling’s “Gemini,” as well as in his short story “At Twenty-Two”. While Kipling exposes the Indians to be very base, he also seems impressed by their complicated and beautiful rituals and customs. Edmund Gosse likens Kipling’s story-telling to the Indian culture, saying “it is the strength of this new story teller that he re-awakens in us the primitive emotions of curiosity, mystery, and romance in action. He is the master of a new kind of terrible and enchanting peepshow, and we crowd around him begging for ‘just one more look’” (108). He claims that Kipling’s works represent the British Indian culture;We believe they represent the enchantment of the unknown people, the love of the land, the high moral beliefs, the slight aversion to feminine characteristics, and the belief of superiority of one people over another. To us, Kipling’s works are synonymous with British Imperialism, yet also clearly illustrate misogyny, nationalism, naturalism, and Indian culture.

Gosse, Edmund. “Rudyard Kipling.” Kipling; the Critical Heritage. Green, Roger

Lancelyn. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1971.

Lang, Andrew. “Andrew Lang Welcomes “An Indian Storyteller’.” Kipling; the

Critical Heritage. Green, Roger Lancelyn. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1971.

Kipling (Lemon) Rice

Ingredients:

2 cups of Kipling’s writing (cooked white rice)

2 tablespoons of misogyny (shredded coconut)

2 tablespoons of British Imperialism (lemon juice)

½ cup of Natural elements (peanuts)

3 tablespoons of Indian culture (seasoning: mustard seed, curry    leaves, tumeric powder, oil)

To cook:

In bowl, cook Indian culture in microwave on high for 3 minutes. Cook Kipling’s writing separately for 16 minutes. Add Indian culture to Kipling’s writing. Sprinkle in misogyny and natural elements throughout. Stir in British Imperialism- allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.