Kim

Examine the novel’s portrayal of the British colonial establishment in India. Is it a positive portrayal or a negative one? How accurate do you think this portrayal is?

The novel’s plotline focuses on two separate threads that run throughout the story: the quest for the Arrow River and Kim’s preparation for espionage work. If you were to describe the book’s plot, you would have to list one of these elements ahead of the other. Which one would you give priority to, and why?

What do you think of the lama’s reaction to the fight in which he was assaulted? Is he right to blame his own moral failings?

Rudyard Kipling once referred to Kim as “plotless.” Do you think that’s an accurate description? What do you think Kipling meant by this?

Research the life of Rudyard Kipling. What elements of Kim appear to be inspired by the author’s own experiences?

The political reality of India, as described in Kim, is very different from the situation today. How do you think the history of colonialism and independence might affect how Indian audiences now read Kim?

Research the psychological traits associated with third culture kids (TCKs, sometimes referred to as TCIs in sociology). What parallels do you see with Kipling’s depiction of Kim?

Assess the literary effectiveness of Kipling’s style in Kim. The text is full of detailed cultural information and visually descriptive language. Does this style add to Kim’s effectiveness by giving it a sense of cultural authenticity, or does it detract from the book’s effectiveness by cluttering the flow of the plot?