Letting in the Jungle

Name: Letting in the Jungle
Author: Rudyard Kipling

The narrative follows Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves in the jungle, as he grapples with his identity and the complexities of both the animal and human worlds. After defeating the tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli decides to hunt alone, but his wolf family, including Akela and Gray Brother, insist on joining him. They discuss the dangers posed by humans, particularly Buldeo, a hunter from the nearby village who seeks revenge against Mowgli. Mowgli learns that the villagers plan to harm Messua, the woman who cared for him, and her husband, accusing them of witchcraft for sheltering him. Determined to protect them, Mowgli devises a plan to rescue them from the villagers' wrath. He sneaks into their home, frees them, and instructs them to escape to Khanhiwara, where they might find safety among the English. As Mowgli orchestrates their escape, he also seeks the help of Hathi, the elephant, to unleash the jungle upon the village as retribution for their cruelty. Hathi agrees, and together with his sons, they begin to drive the animals of the jungle towards the village, causing chaos and destruction. The villagers, overwhelmed by the sudden onslaught of wildlife, are forced to abandon their homes. The story culminates in the complete destruction of the village, as Mowgli's plan to let the jungle reclaim the land is realized. The once-thriving community is reduced to ruins, overtaken by nature, symbolizing the conflict between humanity and the wild. Mowgli, caught between two worlds, ultimately chooses the jungle, embracing his identity as a creature of the wild while rejecting the cruelty of mankind. The narrative explores themes of belonging, identity, and the consequences of human actions on nature.

By Rudyard Kipling · First published 1895 · Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 13,999 words

First lines

Veil them, cover them, wall them round -- Blossom, and creeper, and weed -- Let us forget the sight and the sound, The smell and the touch of the breed!

Fat black ash by the altar-stone, Here is the white-foot rain, And the does bring forth in the fields unsown, And none shall affright them again; And the blind walls crumble, unknown, o'erthrown And none shall inhabit again!

What this Textopian page supports

Letting in the Jungle is listed on Textopian as a novel by Rudyard Kipling, dated 1895 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Rudyard Kipling
Date: 1895 CE
Language: English
Genres: Adventure, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Fable, Classic Literature
Length: 13,999 words
Structure: 1 section, 196 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Adventure — The plot involves exploration and survival in a wild setting, characteristic of adventure narratives.
Fantasy — The story features anthropomorphized animals and magical elements, typical of fantasy literature.
Children's Literature — The book is often aimed at younger audiences, with moral lessons and engaging storytelling.
Fable — The narrative conveys moral lessons through the actions and experiences of animals.