First week of reading: chap 1-4

[Tracey]

1. Throughout the reading of this book there are 2 questions I want the reader to think about and answer at the end:

a. Who is Kim? What does Kim represent to Rudyard Kipling?

b. What did Kipling want the reader to learn from the book? What was his purpose in writing this story?

2. What is the game?

3. Do you like the poems at the heading of each chapter? What is the meaning of the poems in this weeks reading?

[Rosemarie]

I have finished the first chapter and have learned that Kim is an orphan, a very resourceful boy, and has his wits about him. The old lama who is on the pilgrimage will do well with a chela like Kim, who knows the ways of the world.

[Rosemarie]

I like the poems at the beginning of each chapter because I really like poetry.
I have finished the second chapter, and Kim is very resourceful. He wants the lama's money to last, so he uses his wits and charm to get part of the train fare, food and lodging. The Brahmin's horoscope for Kim sounds spot on.

[Rosemarie]

I have finished chapter 3. Kim has been called Friend of all the World, and also,
Friend of the Stars.
Kipling appears to be giving us a picture of the society of the time, as Kim and the Lama look for the River, and does a bit of courier work as well. Kipling was depicting India as he saw it, as a backdrop for the novel, with characters from different backgrounds.

[Rosemarie]

After finishing four chapters, I see the love that Kipling felt for India. The book may be dated by modern standards, but from the descriptions on nature and the scenes on the Grand Trunk Road, it is obvious that Kipling was fond of this large many- faceted country.

[Tracey]

Rosemarie wrote: "After finishing four chapters, I see the love that Kipling felt for India. The book may be dated by modern standards, but from the descriptions on nature and the scenes on the Grand Trunk Road, it ..."

I agree that Kipling loved India and it's people and it shows in his writing. What also struck me was the diversity of religions that were introduced in the story. Kipling shows both acceptance and respect for other beliefs and seems to be saying that we are all 'on the Wheel of life' and that we should have tolerance and respect for all that have good in their heart. Kim is definitely a smart little fellow who has learned to survive using his wits. For this reason he has been used as a messenger boy by the ruling power in The Game aka the British Secret Service. India was the 'jewel in the crown' of the British Empire but it was held with a lot of military power and intrigue, especially along the border and mountain passes with Afghanistan. Still a place of great conflict to this day.
I love Kipling's expressions of admiration for India. Kim is almost a love song to it. Kim himself is of Irish/Indian descent and seems to be as much at home with the native peoples of the country as well as the Europeans.

[Dianne]

Do you both have heavily annotated versions? I am so glad I do because there are SO many obscure references in this book!

[Rosemarie]

Mine is not annotated, so I have used google a lot, especially for maps.

[Tracey]

Dianne wrote: "Do you both have heavily annotated versions? I am so glad I do because there are SO many obscure references in this book!"

I don't either and they is much I don't exactly understand but I am understanding the general themes of the book