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
The Viceroy of India and the Amir of Afghanistan meet in a military camp in Rawalpindi. In their camp, tens of thousands of military animals are present, including horses, camels, and mules. One of the humans in the camp wakes up when he hears a camel running around. The man follows the camel and hears it talking to some pack mules. One of the mules, Billy, is annoyed with the camel because it is acting so erratically. Billy thinks camels need more discipline.
The Viceroy of India is the name given to the British overseer of India. Meanwhile, the Amir of Afghanistan is the name given to Afghanistan’s ruler, who is himself Afghan. The purpose of their meeting is unclear at the beginning of the story, though it comes into focus by the end. Primarily, Kipling focuses on the animals in the military camp.
Themes
Literary Devices
In response, the camel tells Billy that he has bad dreams and has difficulty dealing with them because camels are not brave. A calvary horse, who is also present, says that all animals act like the camel when they first join the army because they are not used to it yet. Apparently, this is especially true for wild animals who have not lived among humans before.
This story is unique in that it focuses on the negative impact human wars have on animals. However, although Kipling is sympathetic to the animals, he still asserts that it is the animals’ duty to serve humans and implies that they should do so willingly and courageously.
Themes
The animals have a lengthy conversation about their various jobs in the military. All of them have different fears, concerns, and areas where they act bravely. For instance, the camel does not mind gunfire because he has grown used to humans firing guns at his back. Around this time, an elephant named Two Tails also joins the conversation. Two Tails listens as Billy and the cavalry horse get into a fight about the Billy’s mother and father. The horse mocks the mule because he has mixed heritage, while the horse considers itself pure. Two Tails quickly gets sick of the fight and breaks it up.
The conversation between the animals demonstrates that everyone has their place in the war effort. No matter their shape, size, or skill set, the Anglo-Indian army will find a way to make them useful. However, the diversity of the army also leads to fighting because the animals have different perspectives and values. Ultimately, the fighting never gets serious, and the animals quickly fall in line when told.
Themes
Then, Two Tails talks about how he does not like hearing gunfire because he knows it could lead to his death. The horse agrees with Two Tails but claims his loyalty and trust in his human master outweighs his fear of bullets. Vixen, the human’s dog, runs into the tent where the animals are talking and starts barking. The barking disrupts the animals’ conversation and upsets them.
Given their experience with war, it is quite comical that the animals are afraid of Vixen’s bark. However, Kipling pairs the comedy with a tragic sentiment, as the animals discuss how they genuinely fear for their lives when they are on the battlefield. Nonetheless, they continue to serve their human masters.
Themes
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When Vixen’s barking stops, the conversation resumes. One of the young mules asks the older animals why they must continue to fight. The older animals tell him that they must do whatever the humans say. The animals have no control over their lives, so there is no point in worrying about why the fighting happens.
This section essentially explains this story’s equivalent to “The Law of the Jungle.” The animals serve humans because that is what their environment and circumstances dictate.
Themes
Then, Vixen starts barking again. At this point, the animals notice Vixen’s owner, who is a white man. Although most animals do not mind the human’s presence, the bulls fear him because they know white men eat beef. However, the man does not do anything to the bulls. Instead, he gives his horse some food. While the horse eats, the rest of the animals leave.
Vixen's carefree demeanor exists in sharp contrast to the other animals. Vixen will never have to go off to war, nor will someone slaughter her for meat. She is almost entirely carefree and can run around and bark at her own leisure.
Themes
The following day, the animals march together in a military parade. The Amir of Afghanistan is shocked by the scale of the parade and worries the sheer number of animals could cause a problem. One of the Amir’s men asks one of the Anglo-Indian officers how they managed to put together and control so many animals. The Anglo-Indian officer responds that animals, like humans, know how to obey and accept their place in the social hierarchy. Amir’s officer says that the people in Afghanistan are nowhere near as well behaved as the animals in the military parade. In response, the Anglo-Indian officer says: “Your Amir whom you do not obey must come here and take orders from our Viceroy.”
The ending of the story is yet another example of Kipling defending the British Empire while labeling other nations who do not fall in line as "savage." The Anglo-Indian officer’s response to the Amir's man suggests that the Anglo-Indian army is superior because of its willingness to fall in line and heed authority . He implies that the Amir’s people will never succeed without these principles.
Themes
Literary Devices
