Rikki-Tikki-Tavi: Characters and Setting

• "Rikki-tikki-tavi" is a short story written by Rudyard Kipling.
• The story is included in "The Jungle Book" (1894).
• It follows the adventures of a brave mongoose named Rikki-tikki-tavi.
• Setting: India
• Focus of the story: a battle between good and evil.

Characters

• Rikki-tikki-tavi: The protagonist; a young mongoose.
  • Brave, loyal, and determined to protect his human family.
• Teddy: A young boy who is the son of the British family.
  • He is kind and trusting, quickly befriending Rikki-tikki.
• Alice: Teddy's mother.
  • Appreciates Rikki-tikki for saving Teddy's life, but also worries about his safety.
• Teddy's father: An Englishman.
  • Intelligent and observant, recognizes the danger posed by the cobras.
• Nag: A large, sinister cobra.
  • He is the main antagonist, plotting to kill the human family.
• Nagaina: Nag's equally dangerous wife.
  • She is cunning and vengeful, seeking to avenge Nag's death.
• Darzee: A tailorbird.
  • Initially mournful and fearful.
  • He eventually helps Rikki-tikki by distracting Nagaina.
• Darzee's wife: A practical and brave tailorbird.
  • She plays a key role in the story by sacrificing one of her eggs to distract Nagaina.
• Chuchundra: A muskrat.
  • Timid and fearful.
  • Provides Rikki-tikki with valuable information about the cobras' plans.

Plot Summary

• A flood washes Rikki-tikki-tavi away from his burrow.
• The British family finds him and nurses him back to health.
• Rikki-tikki adopts the family as his own and takes on the role of protector.
• Rikki-tikki learns about Nag and Nagaina, the cobras.
• The cobras pose a threat to the family.
• Rikki-tikki begins a campaign to eliminate the cobras.
• Rikki-tikki overhears Nag and Nagaina plotting to kill the humans.
• Rikki-tikki confronts Nag in the bathroom and kills him.
• The next day, Nagaina tries to kill the family.
• Darzee's wife distracts Nagaina by pretending to have a broken wing.
• Nagaina goes to the house to attack Teddy and his parents
• Rikki-Tikki destroys the cobra eggs.
• Nagaina confronts Rikki-tikki near her cobra eggs.
• Rikki-tikki pursues Nagaina into her underground burrow.
• Rikki-tikki emerges victorious, having killed Nagaina.
• With the cobras gone, the garden is safe.
• Rikki-tikki continues to live with the family.

Themes

• Bravery: Rikki-tikki constantly displays courage.
  • Even when facing larger and more dangerous opponents.
• Loyalty: Rikki-tikki is devoted to protecting his human family.
  • He is willing to risk his life for them.
• Good vs. Evil: The story is a clear representation of the struggle between good and evil.
  • Rikki-tikki embodies good, while Nag and Nagaina represent evil.
• Instinct: Rikki-tikki's mongoose instincts drive him to hunt and kill snakes.
  • This is essential to his role as protector.
• Protection: Rikki-tikki protects his adopted human family.
  • Overcoming his fears in the process.
• The dangers of nature: The lush Indian garden is beautiful but also filled with dangerous creatures.
• Home is where the heart is: Rikki-Tikki makes the bungalow his home.
  • He adopts the family he comes to protect.

Symbols

• Rikki-tikki: Represents bravery, loyalty, and the power of good.
• Nag and Nagaina: Symbolize evil, cunning, and the ever-present threat of danger.
• The Garden: Represents both the beauty and the peril of nature.
  • It is a place of life, but also a battleground.
• The eggs: Represents the future.
  • Rikki-tikki knows destroying the eggs would end the trouble with the snakes.

Key Concepts

• Natural enemies: The story highlights the natural animosity between mongooses and cobras.
• Instinct and nurture: Rikki-tikki's mongoose instincts are key to his character.
  • His nurturing relationship with the family further motivates his actions.
• Colonialism: The story is set in British colonial India.
  • This setting influences the relationships between the characters.
• Anthropomorphism: The animals in the story are given human-like qualities and thoughts.
  • This makes the story engaging and relatable.

Important Details

• Rikki-tikki's battle cry: "Rikki-tikki-tikki-tchk!"
• The cobras' motivation: They want to reclaim the garden for themselves and their offspring.
• Darzee's role: He provides warnings.
  • He distracts the cobras.
• Chuchundra's role: He provides information to Rikki-tikki.
  • Illustrates fear.
• Nagaina's final act: She attempts to kill Teddy as revenge for Nag's death.