Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Kim, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Mentorship and Parenthood
Race, Identity, and Colonialism
Connection vs. Detachment
Misogyny
Summary
Analysis
As Punjabi policemen unsuccessfully scour the train at Delhi, E23 thanks Kim for his assistance. A Director Superintendent of Police boards the carriage, and E23 gets up to take a drink of water, stumbling into the man on the way. When the policeman chastises him, E23 curses him by the “curse of the Queen’s stone,” explaining afterward to Kim that the policeman is another agent who can now retrieve the letter from its location. Before leaving, E23 thanks Kim for his help and promises to include him in his report. Reflecting on E23’s quick thinking, Kim realizes how new he is to the Great Game.
Craftily conveying crucial intel through a seemingly nonsensical monologue, E23 reveals to Kim the true capabilities of a seasoned agent in the Great Game, humbling him. Nevertheless, E23's promise to include him in his report implies that, despite Kim's inexperience, he has played a crucial role in the mission's success. Even before officially starting as a chainman, Kim is already making a notable name for himself.
Themes
Commenting on the “spell” he cast on the Mahratta, the lama chastises Kim for “loose[ing] an act upon the world,” suggesting there may be unforeseen consequences. Unable to explain the true reason for his actions, Kim accepts the criticism. Traveling by foot, Kim and the lama make their way to the widow’s estate, enjoying the fresh air and telling stories to friendly village-people along the way. The lama teaches Kim about the Wheel of Life, having him study the hierarchy of beings, like Gods. When learning of the Human World, however, Kim is distracted, noting that the “very Wheel itself” could be found moving along the roadside in the bustle of everyday life.
Kim and the lama’s differing worldviews come into full relief, exemplified by their different interpretations of the Wheel of Life. While Kim sees the drawings of the “Human World” as poor, lifeless imitations of the material world passing them by, the lama sees the material world as a poor imitation of the pure spiritual world represented by his drawings. This highlights how the same thing can evoke varying interpretations.
Themes
Kim asks the lama whether all doing is evil, claiming the sahibs taught him otherwise. The lama responds there is no black and white; still, when Kim bathes in the River, he will be freed from all illusion, including the wisdom learned among the sahibs. Kim asks where the lama got the money to pay for his education, and the lama admits he is technically wealthy, though he claims it does not concern him. Kim and the lama continue traveling, with the lama telling stories of his home and Kim slowly slipping back into thinking and dreaming in Hindi. Listening to his stories and wisdom, Kim’s love for the lama—once unreasoning—soon roots itself in “fifty good reasons.”
Kim pushes on the limits of the lama’s beliefs, revealing ideological inconsistencies and hypocrisies. For example, despite the lama’s supposed distaste for material things, he reveals himself to be quite wealthy, indicating a disparity between his words and actions. Still, Kim acknowledges the lama’s otherworldly wisdom, and his love for him only intensifies throughout their journey. As Kim himself notes, this marks a major shift in their relationship, with Kim now able to root his unreasoning love of the lama in “fifty good reasons.”
Themes
One of the widow’s Oorya servitors arrives, begging the attendance of the lama. Arriving at the widow’s residence, Kim and the lama are met with much celebration and hospitality. The widow recounts the lama’s past charm-casting for her, and Kim mocks him playfully, pointing out the lama’s hypocrisy in not abstaining from action; the lama blames women for distracting him from the Way. The widow mentions she is also hosting a new Bengali hakim, or doctor, and Kim excitedly prepares to confront him. The Bengali arrives, and he and Kim exchange a series of riddle-like insults. The widow retires, and to Kim’s surprise the Bengali reveals himself as Hurree Babu.
Exposed for his sentimentality, the lama blames the widow—and women at large—for distracting him from the Way. Though such misogyny is clearly a defense mechanism, comically employed as a means of diverting blame, it still underscores the acceptability—and implied ubiquity—of such rhetoric. Though no one takes him seriously, neither is his misogyny challenged.
Themes
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Hurree Babu congratulates Kim on his performance in Delhi. Kim swells with pride, but does not believe Hurree traveled all the way just to congratulate him, demanding the full story. Relenting, Hurree describes how two foreign agents have been manipulating the hillmen—funded by the British— to build roads and infrastructure for them in the Northern mountains. Hurree Babu explains his intention to infiltrate the agents’ camp, but being Asiatic, wants to have emergency support. Kim agrees to help, and the two conspire to feign unfamiliarity on the road for the sake of the lama. That night, Kim reflects on the Great Game and the debt he owes to the lama and Creighton and Mahbub.
Despite Kim's limited experience, Hurree Babu seeks his aid in a crucial new mission, illustrating Kim’s status as a rising star of espionage. His impressive performance helping E23 has clearly had an impact, earning him the trust and respect of even the most talented agents, like Hurree. Despite the praise, however, Kim exhibits humility, acknowledging his indebtedness to mentors. This underscores Kim's maturity and his slow but sure shift away from the egoism of his youth.
Themes
The next day, Kim and Hurree manipulate the lama into traveling to the mountains. Kim reflects admiringly on the Babu's professionalism, noting his impressive composure despite his nervousness the night before. Equipped with new supplies for their journey, the lama reflects on the widow’s great generosity, suggesting that, despite being “given over to the shows of this life,” she acquires merit. Kim tells the lama he cannot picture someone entirely freed from the Wheel, and the lama agrees; still, he suggests the widow has many millions of lives before her. Emboldened by Hurree’s promise of revitalization in the cool mountain air and the companionship of Kim, the lama expresses confidence in their Search.
Kim's involvement in Hurree Babu's manipulation of the lama highlights his divided loyalties, and the ethical perils that accompany it. While a necessary evil in his line of work, Kim's secrecy erodes the transparency and loyalty which typically characterizes his relationship with the lama. Despite the ill-defined nature of the lama’s quest, and his openness to Hurree's suggestion, Kim's deception nevertheless seems questionable, and a betrayal of his duties as chela.
Themes
