During the whole novel, Kim - divided between his Irish and Indian identity - keeps asking who is actually is and constantly changes between his identities. In this essay I'm analysing in how far identity can be determined and what that means for the you Kim.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: Importance of Identity in Kipling’s Kim
2. Kim’s Identities in Rudyard Kipling’s Novel
2.1 Representation of Identity in Kim
2.2 Development of Kim’s Identity throughout the Novel
2.3 Kim’s ‘Final’ Identity and Kipling’s Intention
3. Conclusion: Identity as an Individual Aspect of Personality
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the thesis that identity in Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim is individual and non-fixed, resisting a definitive determination. The central research inquiry explores how the protagonist navigates his complex, shifting identities between his European heritage and his upbringing in British India.
- The fluid and multifaceted construction of identity in a colonial context.
- The interplay between cultural background, upbringing, and external social labels.
- The tripartite developmental stages of the protagonist: disciple, student, and spy.
- The influence of Kipling’s own background and colonial ideologies on the narrative.
- The protagonist's attempt to bridge the gap between his Irish roots and Indian environment.
Excerpts from the Book
2.2 Development of Kim’s Identity throughout the Novel
The most interesting and complex identity in Kipling’s novel is Kim’s identity or rather identities. Therefore, it is necessary to have a closer look on the development of his identity. As Jeffrey Meyers points out in his essay about Kim’s search for identity, the novel follows a “tripartite structure” which reflects Kim’s “three principal roles in the novel––disciple, student, and spy [...]” (Meyers 105). Firstly, until Kim finally meets the Irish regiment, he is content with his undefined identity. Due to the exposure to the sun on the streets of Lahore, Kim “was burned black as any native”, “spoke the vernacular by preference, and his mother-tongue in a clipped uncertain singsong” and “consorted on terms of perfect equality with the small boys of the bazaar” (7). Although he knows about his origin, he feels comfortable in the country where he has spent his entire life and even tries to escape his white identity (9).
Nevertheless, Kim’s identity is not depicted explicitly, he is neither Hindu nor anything else, he is the “Little Friend of all the World” (9) and “borrow[s] right- and left-handedly from all the customs of the country he knew and loved” (101). In this part of the novel, Kipling both confirms and denies Kim’s European identity (cf. Sullivan 151). On the one hand, there are his Oriental qualities and his being recognized as a “casteless Hindu” (93); on the other hand, it is often referred to his whiteness and Irish origin: “‘Oh, Mahbub Ali, but am I a Hindu?’ said Kim in English” (31). Thus, although there is no specific identification for Kim, he does not suffer any identity crisis; however, this changes when his prophecy, the “Red Bull on a green field” (8), comes true.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Importance of Identity in Kipling’s Kim: The introduction sets the research thesis that identity in the novel is complex, fluid, and defies absolute categorization.
2. Kim’s Identities in Rudyard Kipling’s Novel: This chapter analyzes the various markers of identity—such as race, religion, and social role—that influence Kim’s perception of himself.
2.1 Representation of Identity in Kim: This section investigates how external factors, including clothing, language, and cultural upbringing, contribute to the construction of a character’s identity within a colonial power structure.
2.2 Development of Kim’s Identity throughout the Novel: The author traces the progression of Kim’s character through his roles as a disciple, a student at St. Xavier’s, and a spy in the Great Game.
2.3 Kim’s ‘Final’ Identity and Kipling’s Intention: This part explores the ambiguity of the novel's ending and evaluates whether Kipling intended to advocate for cultural hybridization or the dominance of the British colonial order.
3. Conclusion: Identity as an Individual Aspect of Personality: The conclusion synthesizes the findings, arguing that Kim's identity remains fundamentally elusive and individually bound, resisting simplistic labels.
Keywords
Rudyard Kipling, Kim, identity, colonialism, British India, cultural hybridity, Great Game, multiple identities, post-colonialism, Irish orphan, cultural clash, identity quest, personality, individual identity, sociolinguistics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic paper?
The paper focuses on the construction and development of the protagonist's identity in Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim, arguing that it remains fluid and impossible to define by a single term.
What are the core thematic fields covered?
The core themes include colonial identity, cultural hybridity, the role of social and racial labels, and the psychological impact of being caught between two different cultural worlds.
What is the central research question?
The research question asks if it is possible to determine a specific, fixed identity for Kim, or if the novel ultimately suggests that identity is inherently personal and non-definable.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, synthesizing secondary literature and close reading of the text to explore the development of the protagonist's personality and the author's underlying intentions.
What topics are discussed in the main body of the work?
The main body treats the representation of identity, the tripartite development of the protagonist (disciple, student, and spy), and the final ambiguity of his self-perception at the end of the narrative.
Which keywords best describe the work?
Essential keywords include identity, Rudyard Kipling, Kim, British India, cultural hybridity, and the Great Game.
How does the author interpret the term "sahib" in the context of the novel?
The author notes that while "sahib" is often used to denote an Englishman or European, its usage in the novel also implies "companion" or "friend," reflecting Kim’s dual status as both a Westerner and an accepted friend of the native population.
Why does the author argue that the "identity puzzle" in Kim cannot be solved?
The author concludes that because Kim is a product of multiple cultures—Irish by birth, Indian by upbringing, and Western by institutional education—no single label can encompass his total experience, making the search for a final identity a process that is never truly complete.
- Quote paper
- Doreen Klahold (Author), 2011, «Who Is Kim?» Determining Identity in Rudyard Kipling’s "Kim", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/230757
