1. Introduction
There is no other institution in Rudyard Kipling‟s Kim, which has a comparable importance for the description of India than the railway. It serves not only as a location for the plot, but as a symbol for the power and the progress of the British Empire in India. On the following pages these roles of the “te-rain” will become investigated: After a view on the history of the railway in colonial India, its importance for the story and as a metaphor of the colonial Empire will be discussed. The conclusion will deal with the question how Kipling‟s introduction of the train in his novel fits together with his inter-pretation of Empire.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. A short overview of the history of the Indian Railway in the 19th century
3. Railways as a symbol of the British Imperialism
4. The “te-rain” as a location in Kipling’s novel
5. The meaning of the train in the author’s view of colonial India (Conclusion)
Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the significance of the railway, referred to as the "te-rain," within Rudyard Kipling's novel *Kim*. The primary objective is to analyze how the train functions not only as a physical setting for the narrative but also as a powerful literary symbol of British colonial power, modernization, and the sociopolitical structure of India under imperial rule.
- The historical development of the Indian railway system in the 19th century.
- The railway as an ideological symbol of British imperialism and modernization.
- The function of the "te-rain" as a narrative space and its interaction with Indian social structures.
- Kipling’s representation of the colonial relationship between Britain and India.
Excerpt from the Book
4. The “te-rain” as a location in Kipling’s novel
It was once more Edwin Arnold who hoped the railways may destroy the caste system, facilitate the people’s conversion to Christianity and lead India to modernization: Those who have travelled on an Indian line, or loitered at a Hindoo railway station, have seen the most persuasive missionary at work that ever preached in the East. Thirty miles an hour is fatal to the slow deities of paganism, and pilgrimage done by a steam causes other thoughts to arise at the shrine of Parvati or Shiva than the Vedas and Shastras inculate. The Hindoo sees many villages and hills now beside his own; he travels that is, he learns, compares, considers and changes his ideas.
Arnold was wrong, the railways did not destroy the caste system, although the travel in overcrowded trains, without any selections between the sexes or castes, violated the habits of the Indians. “There is not one rule of right living which these te-rains do not cause us to break. We sit, for example, side by side with all castes and peoples.” Rudyard Kipling uses this scenery to introduce a variety of Indian stereotypes, when his main characters Kim and the lama enter an overcrowded third-class wagon. There is a Hindu Jat from Jullundur with his wife and child, a banker, a Sepoy-soldier and an Amritzar courtesan. Although everyone seems to complain about the circumstances of their journey, nobody thinks about giving up travelling with the te-rain.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction establishes the importance of the railway in *Kim* as both a plot device and a vital symbol of British imperial power in India.
2. A short overview of the history of the Indian Railway in the 19th century: This chapter outlines the historical growth of the Indian railway system under British rule, emphasizing its role in economic exploitation and trade.
3. Railways as a symbol of the British Imperialism: This section explores the railway as a perceived instrument of modernization and security, contrasting it with other colonial institutions like the police or army.
4. The “te-rain” as a location in Kipling’s novel: This chapter analyzes how Kipling utilizes the train as a social space where various Indian stereotypes meet, highlighting both the preservation of caste and the colonial imposition of "order."
5. The meaning of the train in the author’s view of colonial India (Conclusion): The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that while Kipling romanticized India, he maintained a colonial perspective that saw the railway as the greatest gift of British rule.
Keywords
Rudyard Kipling, Kim, British Imperialism, Indian Railway, Colonial India, Modernization, Te-rain, Empire, Caste System, Narrative Space, Social Structure, Colonial History, British East India Company, Literature and Empire
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the symbolic and functional significance of the railway system in Rudyard Kipling's novel *Kim*, analyzing how it represents the British Empire's influence in India.
What are the main thematic fields discussed?
The core themes include colonial history, the socio-economic impact of the Indian railway, the representation of imperial power, and the cultural interactions within colonial space.
What is the central research question?
The study investigates how the "te-rain" serves as a narrative location and a metaphor for British colonial progress, and how this fits into Kipling’s overarching interpretation of the Empire.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a literary analysis approach, contextualized by historical and socio-economic research regarding British-ruled India and the role of the colonial railway system.
What is covered in the main body of the text?
The main body covers the historical background of Indian railways, their symbolism within the Empire, and their specific role as a setting in the novel for character interactions and social reflection.
What are the key terms associated with this work?
Essential keywords include British Imperialism, te-rain, Kim, colonial rule, modernization, and the caste system.
How does the author interpret the railway in relation to the caste system?
The author notes that while some contemporaries hoped the railway would dismantle the caste system, Kipling portrays it as a space where, despite the physical proximity of different castes, the system remains a dominant force.
What is the significance of the term "te-rain" used by the characters?
"Te-rain" is a colloquial Indian variation of the English word "train," which Kipling uses to reflect the specific local adaptation and popular perception of this technological intervention in colonial India.
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- M. A. Aaron Faßbender (Autor:in), 2005, The Image Of The “Te-rain” in Rudyard Kipling's "Kim", München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/182499
