Analysis Of Rikki-Tavi By Rudyard Kipling

In Rikki-tikki-tavi, it states, “ This is the story of the great war that Rikki-tikki-tavi fought single-handed, through the bathroom of the bungalow in Segowlee cantonment” (page 4). Have you ever done something that was dangerous but brave? The theme of the fictional story Rikki-tikki-tavi by Rudyard Kipling is that even if you are small you can do great things for those you love.

Rikki-tikki-tavi is a small but brave character in this story. “He was a mongoose, rather like a little cat in his fur and his tail, but quite like a weasel in his head and his habits. His eyes and the end of his restless nose were pink; he could scratch himself anywhere he pleased with any leg, front or back, that he chose to use; he could fluff up his tail till

it looked like a bottle brush, and his war cry as he scuttled through the long grass was Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk” (page 4). Rikki was rather related to a little cat in size, but also resembles a weasel (wild animal) in his habits. Rikki is a small creature, mongoose, but he is also dangerous and brave enough to do great deeds. “He spread out his hood more than ever, and Rikki-tikki saw the spectacle mark on the back of it that looks exactly like the eye part of a hook-and-eye fastening. He was afraid for the minute; but it is impossible for a mongoose to stay frightened for any length of time, and though Rikki-tikki had never met a live cobra before, his mother had fed him on dead ones, and he knew that all a grown mongoose’s business in life was to fight and eat snakes” (page 8). In these lines, it shows how small he is compared to the cobra, but yet he is only afraid for a minute, and that shows how he is brave. Since Rikki is brave, he isn’t afraid, plus in the story, it says that all a grown mongoose’s business in life is to fight and eat snakes. Rikki-tikki-tavi is a little courageous animal, mongoose, in this story.
Nagaina, another character in the story is loving, vengeful, and dangerous. “Everything. When there were no people in the bungalow, did we have any mongoose in the garden? So long as the bungalow is empty, we are king and queen of the garden; and remember that as soon as our eggs in the melon bed hatch (as they may tomorrow), our children will need room and quiet”(page 13). In these following lines, it shows that she wants what is best for her babies, eggs, that she will do anything for them. Rikki is also loving, he wants to protect those he loves by doing great deeds that are dangerous since it interferes with Nagaina’s problem. “... Keep very still, all you three! If you move, I strike, and if you do not move, I strike. Oh, foolish people, who killed my Nag...”(page 18). These lines show she is wanting revenge on whoever killed Nag which is dangerous, and she is loving since she didn’t care she lost her chance because she was trying to get her last egg back. Nagaina is still vengeful because she is so depressed after losing someone she loves or loved so dear. Nagaina is another creature, who is affectionate and vindictive in this story.
The author, Rudyard Kipling, uses personification in this story to help demonstrate that even if you are small you can do big things to protect those you love.

“‘Son of the big man that killed Nag’, she hissed, ‘stay still. I am not ready yet. Wait for a little. Keep very still, all you three! If you move, I strike, and if you do not move, I strike. Oh, foolish people, who killed my Nag’”(page 26). The following lines demonstrate how Nagaina is determined to get revenge on Nag’s killer, Rikki but is thought to be the man. Nagaina goes against Rikki who is a small creature who does many big things, including going against someone as determined as Nagaina. “He was afraid for the minute; but it is impossible for a mongoose to stay frightened for any length of time, and though Rikki-tikki had never met a live cobra before, his mother had fed him on dead ones, and he knew that all a grown mongoose’s business in life was to fight and eat snakes”(page 8) Rikki-tikki-tavi is a mongoose that is courageous, strong and loyal like a human. These demonstrate how Rikki, a small mongoose, can do big deeds because he is loyal to those he cares about, courageous by defending loved ones, and strong enough to fight against a snake that is difficult to fight against. The author, Rudyard Kipling, uses personification in this story to help show that even if you are little you can do large deeds to protect those you

adore.
In the end, even if you are small you can always do tremendous deeds for those you love if you put your mind to it and are determined enough. No matter how small you are, you can do amazing deeds that are bigger than you. Rikki-tikki was a small mongoose who went up against three snakes single handed and defeated them to be able to defend those he cares most about. If you genuinely want to do something, and you put your mind to it, you can do things that are even bigger than you.