In The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling's style reflects the British Imperialist attitude of superiority and high-handedness toward native populations. As this is a book intended primarily for children, his diction often loops back on itself to contextualize new ideas or words. He employs both simple sentences and more complex ones in every story. Where ideas are difficult or complicated, he often repeats or “explains” them, dissecting them to make sure all is clearly conveyed. This ensures that the British children for whom the book was originally written can easily grasp the moral and social lessons the author wants to teach, even in the unfamiliar locations and exotic scenes he describes. It also places the narrator’s educated, highly academic-sounding British voice in a position where it seems superior to both the reader and the characters. The pacing of the stories is varied, aligning with the intensity of their separate plots. Whether it's the action-packed exploits of Mowgli, peaceful underwater scenes following browsing Sea-Cows or the fight scenes with Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, the pacing adapts dynamically.
The book is packed with non-English phrases, especially when the jungle animals speak to one another. This adds a layer of authenticity to the narrative. It also aligns the animals of the jungle to speakers of Indian languages and the humans to English speakers. Figurative language also plays a significant role in Kipling's storytelling, in this and all of his other books. The Jungle Book makes thorough use of metaphor, simile, and visual imagery. Through this, Kipling provides points of reference for readers who might never have been to India. He utilizes similes and metaphors to bridge the gap between the British readers and the unfamiliar Indian jungle, making it seem more connected to their world.
