Rikki-Tikki-Tavi by Rudyard Kipling (Intermediate)

Intermediate

story

In the lush colonial expanse of an English family's residence in India, the saga of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi unfolds—a mongoose found washed up and lifeless after a violent monsoon. Nursed back to health by a boy named Teddy, Rikki-Tikki becomes the family’s fierce protector, exploring his new domain with the alertness befitting a mongoose.

This garden, though serene, harbors grave threats: Nag and Nagaina, two cobras with designs on the family, aiming to reclaim the garden for themselves. “When the house is empty of people,” hissed Nagaina, “it will be easy to rule the garden.”

One dark night, as the man lay asleep, Nag, emboldened by desperation, slid into the house to strike. Rikki-Tikki, driven by a protective rage, confronted Nag in a battle by the bathroom sluice. “If you move, I strike; if you do not move, I strike,” he declared ominously. In a deadly dance of attack and counterattack, Rikki-Tikki emerged victorious, slaying Nag and preventing the murder of the human family.

Yet, the death of Nag only intensified the peril. Nagaina, grief-stricken and vengeful, became a more formidable foe. In a cunning move, Rikki-Tikki, with the assistance of Darzee the tailorbird, located Nagaina’s eggs. Destroying them would ensure no future threats could arise. Except one egg, which Rikki-Tikki preserved as leverage.

The climax of the tale came as Nagaina, in a final bid for vengeance, threatened the safety of Teddy and his family. With the last egg in his possession, Rikki-Tikki lured her away from her deadly intent. “Come and fight with me, you coward! You dare not touch the boy while I am alive!” he taunted heroically. The garden became their arena, where, in a decisive confrontation, Rikki-Tikki slew Nagaina, securing peace for his adopted family.

The narrative of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi serves not only as an adventurous tale but as a moral fable about the virtues of courage, vigilance, and loyalty. Rikki-Tikki, despite his small size, demonstrates the profound impact of bravery and quick thinking. He teaches us that protecting those we care about is the noblest of causes.

Words and Idioms

Study it with Flashcard

https://quizlet.com/kr/914615061/rikki-tikki-tavi-by-rudyard-kipling-flash-cards/?i=3en6ue&x=1jqt

 

Mongoose (noun) - A small carnivorous mammal that is known for its agility and prowess in hunting snakes.

Cobra (noun) - A type of venomous snake recognized by the hood around its neck when threatened.

Vigilant (adjective) - Keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.

Territory (noun) - An area defended against others as one's own space.

Confrontation (noun) - A hostile or argumentative meeting or situation between opposing parties.

Formidable (adjective) - Inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable.

Cunning (adjective) - Having or showing skill in achieving one's ends by deceit or evasion.

Vengeful (adjective) - Seeking to harm someone in retaliation for something they have done.

Grief-stricken (adjective) - Overwhelmed by intense sorrow.

Decisive (adjective) - Settling an issue; producing a definite result.

Deadly dance (phrase) - A metaphor describing a situation where two opponents confront each other in a dangerous and skillful battle.

Protective rage (phrase) - Intense anger and protective instinct that motivates one to defend.

Drive someone away (idiom) - To cause someone to leave or abandon a place due to one's actions or presence.

At stake (idiom) - Referring to something that can be gained or lost, depending on the outcome of an action.

In a bid for (phrase) - An attempt or effort to achieve something.

 

Questions

1. What event leads to Rikki-Tikki-Tavi living with Teddy and his family?

A. He was bought at a pet shop.

B. He was gifted by a neighbor.

C. He was found after a storm.

D. He escaped from a zoo.

 

2. What is the primary reason Rikki-Tikki-Tavi fights the cobras?

A. To prove his strength.

B. To protect Teddy and his family.

C. To gain control of the garden.

D. To impress another mongoose.

 

3. How does Rikki-Tikki-Tavi first demonstrate his bravery?

A. By rescuing Teddy from a fire.

B. By confronting a group of monkeys.

C. By attacking Nag in the bathroom.

D. By chasing away birds.

 

4. What does Rikki-Tikki-Tavi do to ensure there are no future threats from cobras?

A. He patrols the garden daily.

B. He destroys Nagaina's eggs.

C. He trains other animals to fight.

D. He leaves the garden to find a safer place.

 

5. What does Rikki-Tikki-Tavi symbolize in the story?

A. The dangers of the natural world.

B. The importance of family.

C. The virtue of bravery and protection.

D. The unpredictability of life.

 

6. Which theme is best represented by the conflict between Rikki-Tikki-Tavi and the cobras?

A. Man vs. Nature.

B. Good vs. Evil.

C. Youth vs. Experience.

D. Isolation vs. Community.

 

AP-Test Style Writing Topics

1. Analyze how Rudyard Kipling uses the setting of the garden to develop the central conflict in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi." Discuss how the garden's characteristics contribute to the narrative and symbolize larger themes in the story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Discuss the role of secondary characters, such as Darzee and his wife, in enhancing the narrative of "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi." How do these characters contribute to Rikki-Tikki's mission and what do they represent in the larger context of the story?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Examine the theme of heroism in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi." Evaluate Rikki-Tikki’s actions to determine whether they are driven more by instinct or by a conscious decision to protect. Consider how Kipling portrays heroism through the protagonist’s interactions and challenges.

Answer Keys

1. C. He was found after a storm.

2. B. To protect Teddy and his family.

3. C. By attacking Nag in the bathroom.

4. B. He destroys Nagaina's eggs.

5. C. The virtue of bravery and protection.

6. B. Good vs. Evil.

 

Sample Writing Answers

1. Analysis of the Garden Setting in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"

In "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," Rudyard Kipling strategically uses the garden setting not just as a backdrop for the mongoose’s adventures but as a pivotal element that enhances the story's central conflict. This lush garden, belonging to a colonial bungalow in India, serves as a microcosm of the natural world where survival and territorial dominance play out.

The garden’s characteristics—its dense vegetation, the variety of creatures it houses, and its isolated patches—perfectly set the stage for dramatic encounters between Rikki-Tikki and the cobras, Nag and Nagaina. The garden's complex ecosystem is both a battlefield and a sanctuary. It provides Rikki-Tikki with places to hide and pounce, emphasizing his agility and tactical genius, while also highlighting the lurking danger posed by the cobras, who weave through this environment as sinister threats to the family's safety.

Furthermore, the garden symbolizes the clash between cultivated land and the wild nature that encroaches upon it. This duality mirrors the broader theme of man versus nature, illustrating the constant struggle between human attempts to control nature and nature’s relentless unpredictability. Rikki-Tikki's role as protector of this cultivated space against the wild, represented by the cobras, deepens the narrative’s exploration of these themes.

By setting most of the action in the garden, Kipling not only focuses on the physical challenges Rikki-Tikki faces but also on the philosophical questions about nature, civilization, and the moral duties of a guardian. The garden, thus, is not merely a setting but a symbol of the battleground for these larger existential conflicts, making it central to the unfolding of the story’s moral and thematic concerns.

 

2. Role of Secondary Characters in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"

In "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," secondary characters such as Darzee the tailorbird and his wife play crucial roles that extend beyond mere support to the protagonist. These characters enrich the narrative, adding layers of complexity and emotional depth, while also reinforcing the story’s themes of community and collective defense.

Darzee, although portrayed as somewhat cowardly, provides critical information and distractions at key moments. His song celebrating the death of Nag, although premature, underscores the potential impact of communal support in times of crisis. His wife, on the other hand, is instrumental in the mongoose’s success. She daringly distracts Nagaina, allowing Rikki-Tikki to destroy the cobra eggs, which is a pivotal turn in the narrative. This act of bravery highlights a theme that runs central through the story: the importance of courage and active participation in facing communal threats.

These characters also represent the broader community's response to danger. While Rikki-Tikki is the primary protector, Darzee and his wife exemplify how each member of a community can contribute to safety and stability, albeit in ways suited to their capabilities. This interplay between the characters showcases the dynamics of an ecosystem where every creature, regardless of size or strength, has a role in maintaining the balance and ensuring survival.

Thus, through Darzee and his wife, Kipling portrays the larger context of the story, reflecting on the interconnectedness of all beings and the idea that courage can manifest in various forms. Their actions and interactions with Rikki-Tikki emphasize the narrative's underlying message about the power of community and the diverse forms of heroism that contribute to the greater good.

 

3. Theme of Heroism in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"

In "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi," Rudyard Kipling explores the theme of heroism through the titular character, whose actions oscillate between instinctual behavior and deliberate heroics. Rikki-Tikki, a mongoose, is naturally predisposed to hunt snakes, suggesting that his battles with Nag and Nagaina might initially stem from instinct. However, his protective actions towards Teddy’s family suggest a conscious choice to defend those who cannot defend themselves, elevating his actions to a form of heroism.

The narrative portrays Rikki-Tikki’s heroism as multifaceted—it is not just about the fights he wins but about his constant vigilance and readiness to put himself in danger to protect his adopted family. His engagement in multiple dangerous encounters, his strategic destruction of the cobra eggs, and his final confrontation with Nagaina all highlight his commitment to safeguarding his territory.

Moreover, Rikki-Tikki’s heroism is contrasted with the malevolence of the cobras, framing his deeds within the classic good versus evil paradigm. This contrast not only accentuates his bravery but also deepens the moral implications of his actions. Through Rikki-Tikki, Kipling discusses the essence of heroism as a combination of natural instinct and moral choice, suggesting that true heroes are defined by their decisions to act, even when they might naturally be predisposed to do so.

In examining Rikki-Tikki’s actions, Kipling invites readers to consider what makes a hero. Is it the simple act of fighting against a foe, or is it the conscious decision to protect, to serve, and to sacrifice for the greater good? Through Rikki-Tikki’s journey, Kipling portrays heroism not just as a trait but as an ongoing process of choosing to act righteously in the face of adversity.

 

 

 

 

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