Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in The Jungle Book, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
The Laws of Nature
Human and Animal Relationships
Loyalty
British Imperialism
Coming of Age
Summary
Analysis
An elderly elephant named Kala Nag works all day long hauling timber for the Indian government. It is common for elephants to take part in human labor, and Kala Nag has been part of the Anglo-Indian Military for 47 years. In that time, Kala Nag has seen a lot, and nothing frightens him anymore.
A man named Big Toomai is in charge of Kala Nag. Big Toomai has a son called Little Toomai, who enjoys the presence of the elephants and wants to be in charge of them one day. Big Toomai does not like his job, but he does it anyway. He thinks Kala Nag is afraid of him, but that is not the case.
“Toomai of the Elephants” is another coming-of-age story, this time with Little Toomai as the protagonist. Here, Kipling lays out Little Toomai’s goal in life, and the rest of the story will focus on his attempt to achieve that goal.
Themes
While Big Toomai and Little Toomai are out with Kala Nag, Little Toomai gets some experience catching elephants. Little Toomai throws a rope to an elephant catcher, which allows him to secure an elephant. Little Toomai hopes to be an elephant catcher himself, but Big Toomai warns him the job is too dangerous. If Little Toomai does secure the job, he will work for a British man named Petersen Sahib.
Here, Little Toomai shows he has what it takes to be an elephant catcher as he helps secure an elephant. However, Big Toomai thinks his son is too young and immature to take on such a role.
Themes
Petersen Sahib hears about the help Little Toomai provided one of his elephant catchers and questions him about the experience. Little Toomai expresses his wish to become an elephant catcher, but Petersen can only laugh at him and say he is not ready. When Little Toomai asks when he will be ready, Petersen says he can come on an elephant hunt once he has seen an elephant dance. Although Little Toomai does not realize it, Petersen is making a joke. There are parts of the jungle that the elephants trampled that the catchers call an “elephant ballroom.” However, no one has ever seen an elephant dance.
Petersen Sahib gives Little Toomai a task he presumes to be impossible because, like Big Toomai, he does not think Little Toomai is ready to be an elephant catcher. As such, Little Toomai has a challenging task ahead of him; if he wants to achieve his goal, he will have to do something that has yet to be done. In this way, he is like Kotick, who was searching for an island that may or may not exist.
Themes
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The same night, Little Toomai hears a wild elephant making noise in the jungle. When Kala Nag hears the sound, he breaks out of his restraints and wanders toward the jungle. Little Toomai attempts to follow him. When Kala Nag sees Little Toomai, he picks him up and places him on his back. Kala Nag enters the jungle, where many other elephants have also gathered. Together, all the elephants stomp their feet on the ground for a few hours. They crush all of the surrounding vegetation and create an elephant ballroom. Little Toomai witnesses the whole thing.
Kala Nag’s willingness to bring Little Toomai with him speaks to their strong connection. Almost immediately, Little Toomai gets to experience something that Petersen thought was near impossible. Whether Little Toomai achieved his goal due to luck or his close connection to Kala Nag is unclear. Either way, it is an essential step in his coming-of-age journey because he has fulfilled the prerequisite for getting his dream job.
Themes
Little Toomai and Kala Nag return home. Little Toomai seeks out Petersen and tells him what he witnessed. Petersen confirms Little Toomai’s story with some hunters and welcomes him into the group. One of the hunters gives Little Toomai the nickname “Toomai of the Elephants,” and all of the men and the elephants celebrate his accomplishment.
Petersen is a man of his word, allowing Little Toomai to join his group just as he promised he would. The name Petersen gives Little Toomai demonstrates Little Toomai’s closeness with the elephants; it is as though he is one of them.
Themes
