Joseph Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936) was an English author and poet. Born in Bombay, British India (now Mumbai), he is best known for his works The Jungle Books (1894) and Just So Stories (1902), his novel, Kim (1901); his poems, including Mandalay (1890), Gunga Din (1890), If (1910); and his many short stories, including The Man Who Would Be King (1888). He is regarded as a major "innovator in the art of the short story"; his children's books are enduring classics of children's literature; and his best works speak to a versatile and luminous narrative gift.
Easton Press Rudyard Kipling books
Kim - The Collector's Library of Famous Editions - 1962
Tales of East and West - The Collector's Library of Famous Editions - 1973
The Jungle Books - 100 Greatest Books Ever Written - 1980
Just So Stories - The Collector's Library of Famous Editions - 1992
Captains Courageous - 2013
Franklin Library Rudyard Kipling books
Captain Courageous - World's Best Loved Books - 1978
Just So Stories - The Collector's Library of Famous Editions - 1992
Captains Courageous - 2013
Franklin Library Rudyard Kipling books
Captain Courageous - World's Best Loved Books - 1978
17 Stories by Rudyard Kipling - Collected Stories of the World's Greatest Writers - 1978
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Kipling was one of the most popular writers in English, in both prose and verse, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The author Henry James said of him: "Kipling strikes me personally as the most complete man of genius (as distinct from fine intelligence) that I have ever known." In 1907, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, making him the first English language writer to receive the prize, and he remains its youngest-ever recipient. Among other honours, he was sounded out for the British Poet Laureateship and on several occasions for a knighthood, all of which he declined.
Later in life Kipling came to be seen (in George Orwell's words) as a "prophet of British imperialism." Many saw prejudice and militarism in his works, and the resulting controversy about him continued for much of the 20th century. According to critic Douglas Kerr: "He is still an author who can inspire passionate disagreement and his place in literary and cultural history is far from settled. But as the age of the European empires recedes, he is recognized as an incomparable, if controversial, interpreter of how empire was experienced. That, and an increasing recognition of his extraordinary narrative gifts, make him a force to be reckoned with."
Later in life Kipling came to be seen (in George Orwell's words) as a "prophet of British imperialism." Many saw prejudice and militarism in his works, and the resulting controversy about him continued for much of the 20th century. According to critic Douglas Kerr: "He is still an author who can inspire passionate disagreement and his place in literary and cultural history is far from settled. But as the age of the European empires recedes, he is recognized as an incomparable, if controversial, interpreter of how empire was experienced. That, and an increasing recognition of his extraordinary narrative gifts, make him a force to be reckoned with."
Rudyard Kipling biography
Kipling was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), India (The house in which he was born still stands on the campus of the Sir J. J. Institute of Applied Art in Mumbai). His father was John Lockwood Kipling, a teacher at the local Jeejeebhoy School of Art, and his mother was Alice Macdonald. They courted at Rudyard Lake in Staffordshire, England, hence Kipling's name. As a six-year-old, he and his three-year-old sister were sent to England and cared for by a woman named Mrs. Holloway. The poor treatment and neglect he experienced until he was rescued at the age of 12 may have influenced his writing, in particular his sympathy with children. His maternal aunt was married to the artist Edward Burne-Jones, and young Kipling and his sister spent Christmas holidays with the Burne-Joneses in England from the ages of six to twelve, while his parents remained in India. Kipling was a cousin of the three-times Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin.After a spell at a boarding school, the United Services College, which provided the setting for his schoolboy stories of Stalky & Co., Kipling returned to India, to Lahore (in modern-day Pakistan) where his parents were then working, in 1881. He began working as a newspaper editor for a local edition and continued tentative steps into the world of poetry; his first professional sales were in 1883.
By the mid-1880s, he was travelling around India as a correspondent for the Allahabad Pioneer. His fiction sales also began to bloom, and he published six short books in 1888. One short story dating from this time is "The Man Who Would Be King."
The next year, Kipling began a long journey back to England, going through Burma, China, Japan, and California before crossing the United States and the Atlantic Ocean, and settling in London. His travel account From Sea to Sea and Other Sketches, Letters of Travel, is based upon newspaper articles he wrote at that time. From then on, his fame grew rapidly, and he positioned himself as the literary voice most closely-associated with the imperialist tempo of the time, in the United Kingdom (and, indeed, the rest of the Western world and Japan). His first novel, The Light that Failed, was published in 1890. The most famous of his poems of this time is probably "The Ballad of East and West" (which begins "Oh, East is East, and West is West, and never the twain shall meet").
Writing career
In 1892, he married Caroline Balestier. Wolcott Balestier, her brother, an American writer; had been Kipling's friend, but had died of typhoid fever the previous year. While the couple were on honeymoon, Kipling's bank failed, and cashing in their travel tickets only allowed the couple to return as far as Vermont (where most of the Balestier family lived). Rudyard and his new bride lived in the United States for the next four years. In Brattleboro, Vermont, they built themselves a house called "Naulakha" (Naulakha means “nine lakhs of rupees", = a fortune, the value of Sitaghai’s necklace in the novel Kipling wrote with Wolcott Balestier). The house still stands (on Kipling Road), a big, interesting dark-green shingled house that Kipling himself called his "ship". In the beginning, he was very happy there, his father visited him, and during this time, he turned his hand to writing for children, and he published the works for which he is most remembered today The Jungle Book and its sequel The Second Jungle Book in 1894 and 1895. A golf enthusiast, Kipling also invented the game of "snow golf" while playing in Vermont during the winter months.But then he had a quarrel with his brother-in-law; a quarrel that ended up in court. This case darkened his mind and he felt he must leave Vermont. He and his wife returned to England, and in 1897, he published Captains Courageous. In 1899, Kipling published his novel Stalky & Co. These affecting school stories suggest something about Kipling's equivocal views of easy patriotism, and also include one of the best accounts in literature of a Latin lesson. The book also gave currency to the, once popular, expression: 'Your uncle Stalky is a great man.' The character Beetle is based on Kipling's own school days as a short sighted intellectual boy.
In 1898, Kipling began travelling to Africa, for winter vacations almost every year. In Africa, Kipling met and befriended Cecil Rhodes, and began collecting material for another of his children's classics, Just So Stories for Little Children. That work was published in 1902, and another of his enduring works, Kim, first saw the light of day the previous year.
Kipling's poetry of the time included "Gunga Din" (1892), and "The White Man's Burden" (1899); in the non-fiction realm he also became involved in the debate over the British response to the rise in German naval power, publishing a series of articles collectively-entitled A Fleet in Being.
The first decade of the 20th century saw Kipling at the height of his popularity. In 1907, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature; "book-ending" this achievement, was the publication of two connected poetry and story collections, 1906's Puck of Pook's Hill and 1910's Rewards and Fairies. The latter contained the poem "If— ". In a 1995 BBC opinion poll, it was voted Britain's favourite poem. This exhortation to self-control and stoicism is arguably Kipling's most famous poem.
Kipling sympathised with the anti-Home Rule stance of Irish Unionists. He was friends with Edward Carson, the Dublin-born leader of Ulster Unionism, who raised the Ulster Volunteers to oppose "Rome Rule" in Ireland. Kipling wrote the poem "Ulster" in 1912(?) reflecting this. The poem reflects on Ulster Day, 28th September, 1912 when half a million people signed the Ulster Covenant.
World War I
Kipling was so closely associated with the expansive, confident attitude of late 19th-century European civilisation that it was inevitable that his reputation would suffer in the years of and after World War I. Kipling also knew personal tragedy at the time as his eldest son, John, died in 1915 at the Battle of Loos, after which he wrote "If any question why we died/ Tell them, because our fathers lied". This wording may have been due to his hand in getting John a commission in the Irish Guards, when he would have struggled with the medical on account of his eyesight. Partly in response to this tragedy, he joined Sir Fabian Ware's Imperial War Graves Commission (now the Commonwealth War Graves Commission), the group responsible for the garden-like British war graves that can be found to this day dotted along the former Western Front and all the other locations around the world where Commonwealth troops lie buried. His most significant contribution to the project was his selection of the biblical phrase "Their Name Liveth For Evermore" found on the Stones of Remembrance in larger war graves. He also wrote a history of the Irish Guards, his son's regiment.With the increasing popularity of the automobile, Kipling became a motoring correspondent for the British press, and wrote enthusiastically of his trips around England and abroad.
In 1922, Kipling, who had made reference to the work of engineers in some of his poems and writings, was asked by a University of Toronto civil engineering professor for his assistance in developing a dignified obligation and ceremony for graduating engineering students. Kipling was very enthusiastic in his response and shortly produced both an obligation and a ceremony formally entitled "The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer". Today, engineering graduates all across Canada, and even some in the United States, are presented with an iron ring at the ceremony as a reminder of their obligation to society.
Death and legacy
Kipling kept writing until the early 1930s, but at a slower pace and with much less success than before. He died of a brain haemorrhage in January of 1936 at the age of 70.(His death had in fact previously been incorrectly announced in a magazine, to which he wittily wrote: "I've just read that I am dead. Don't forget to delete me from your list of subscribers.")
Following his death, Kipling's work continued to fall into critical eclipse. Fashions in poetry moved away from his exact metres and rhymes. Also, as the European colonial empires collapsed in the mid-20th century, Kipling's works fell far out of step with the times. Many who condemn him feel that Kipling's writing was inseparable from his social and political views, despite Kipling's considerable artistry. They point to his portrayals of Indian characters, which often supported the colonialist view that the Indians and other colonised peoples were incapable of surviving without the help of Europeans, claiming that these portrayals are racist. Examples cited to demonstrate this racism include the mention of "lesser breeds without the Law" in Recessional, and the reference to colonised people in general, as "half-devil and half-child" in the poem The White Man's Burden. In fact, "Lesser breeds without the law" seems to have been intended to refer to Germans, not Indians. Other arguments countering the belief that Indians can not live without the West could clearly be seen in The Jungle Book, where a native boy, Mowgli, is able to happily live in a dangerous environment. Kipling, in common with many British people of his time, had prejudiced and negative views about Jews. Some consider this to be antisemitism. Examples can be seen in the brief episodes about Punch and The Times in the last chapter of his autobiography Something of Myself.
Kipling's defenders point out that much of the most blatant racism in his writing is spoken by fictional characters, not by him, and thus accurately depicts the characters. An example is that the soldier who speaks "Gunga Din" calls the title character "a squidgy-nosed old idol". However, in the same poem, Gunga Din is seen as an heroic figure; "You're a better man than I am, Gunga Din". They may see irony or alternative meanings, in poems in the author's own voice, including "The White Man's Burden" and "Recessional".
Despite changes in racial attitudes and literary standards for poetry, Kipling's poetry continues to be popular with those who see it as "vigorous and adept" rather than "jingling". Even T. S. Eliot, a very different poet, edited A Choice of Kipling's Verse (1943), although in doing so he commented that "he could write poetry on occasions - even if only by accident!". His stories for adults also remain in print, and have garnered high praise from writers as different as Poul Anderson and Jorge Luis Borges. Nonetheless, Kipling is most highly regarded for his children's books. His Just-So Stories have been illustrated, and made into successful children's books, and his Jungle Books have been made into several movies; the first by producer Alexander Korda, and others by the Walt Disney Company.
After the death of Kipling's wife in 1939, his house, "Batemans" in Burwash, East Sussex was bequeathed to the National Trust, and is now a public museum to the author. There is a thriving Kipling Society in the United Kingdom, and a boarding house at Haileybury is named after him.
Rudyard Kipling is buried in Poets' Corner, part of the South Transept of Westminster Abbey where many literary people are buried or commemorated.
Kipling and the Re-Invention of Science Fiction
Kipling has remained influential in popular culture even during those periods in which his critical reputation was in deepest eclipse. An important specific case of his influence is on the development of science fiction during and after its Campbellian reinvention in the late 1930s.Kipling exerted this influence through John W. Campbell and Robert A. Heinlein. Campbell described Kipling as "the first modern science fiction writer", and Heinlein appears to have learned from Kipling the technique of indirect exposition — showing the imagined world through the eyes and the language of the characters, rather than through expository lumps — which was to become the most important structural device of Campbellian SF.
This technique is fully on display in With The Night Mail (1912) which reads like modern hard science fiction (there are reasons to believe this story was a formative influence on Heinlein, who was five when it was written and probably first read it as a boy). Kipling seems to have developed indirect exposition as a solution to some technical problems of writing about the unfamiliar milieu of India for British and American audiences. The technique reaches full development in Kim (1901), which influenced Heinlein's Citizen of the Galaxy.
Tributes and references to Kipling are common in SF, especially in Golden Age writers such as Heinlein and Poul Anderson but continuing into the present day. The SF field continues to reflect many of Kipling's values and preoccupations, including (a) nurturing a tradition of high-quality children's fiction in a moral-didactic vein, (b) a fondness for military adventure with elements of bildungsroman set in exotic environments, and (c) a combination of technophilic optimism with classical-liberal individualism and suspicion of government.
Kim
Rudyard
Kipling crafted a literary masterpiece with his novel Kim, first
published in 1901. Set against the vibrant backdrop of British India
during the late 19th century, Kim is a compelling tale of adventure,
espionage, and self-discovery that captures the essence of a nation in
transition. The protagonist of the novel, Kimball O'Hara, known simply
as Kim, is an orphaned boy of Irish descent who grows up on the streets
of Lahore, absorbing the diverse cultures and languages of the Indian
subcontinent. Blessed with a quick wit, a sharp intellect, and an
insatiable curiosity, Kim navigates the bustling streets of Lahore with
ease, earning his living as a street urchin and a disciple of a Tibetan
lama. Central to the narrative is Kim's dual identity as both a native
Indian and a child of British colonialism—a theme that reflects
Kipling's own complex relationship with the land of his birth. Through
Kim's eyes, readers are immersed in a world of intrigue and adventure as
he embarks on a journey across India, serving as a spy for the British
Secret Service while accompanying the lama on his quest for spiritual
enlightenment.As Kim travels through the diverse landscapes of India, from the bustling bazaars of Lahore to the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, he encounters a colorful cast of characters, including British officers, Indian noblemen, and foreign spies. Along the way, he grapples with questions of identity, loyalty, and the meaning of home, ultimately finding solace and purpose in his dual heritage. Kim is more than just a thrilling adventure story; it is a nuanced exploration of the complexities of colonialism, nationalism, and cultural identity. Kipling's richly detailed prose and vivid descriptions bring the sights, sounds, and smells of India to life, immersing readers in a world of vibrant colors and exotic landscapes.
Published to critical acclaim, Kim remains one of Kipling's most enduring works, celebrated for its masterful storytelling, its richly drawn characters, and its evocative depiction of British India. The novel continues to resonate with readers of all ages, inviting them to embark on a journey of self-discovery and adventure that transcends the boundaries of time and place. Though Rudyard Kipling passed away on January 18, 1936, his literary legacy lives on through timeless classics like "Kim," which continue to captivate and inspire readers with their enduring relevance and universal themes. In the world of "Kim," the spirit of adventure knows no bounds, and the journey of self-discovery is an odyssey that spans continents and cultures.
The Jungle Books
Rudyard
Kipling gifted the world with a literary treasure in The Jungle Books.
Originally published in 1894 and 1895, these collections of stories have
captured the hearts and imaginations of readers for generations,
offering a captivating journey into the untamed wilderness of India. The
Jungle Books transport readers to the lush jungles of India, where
animals of all shapes and sizes roam freely, each with its own distinct
personality and voice. At the heart of these tales is Mowgli, a young
boy raised by wolves and adopted by the animal denizens of the jungle.
Through Mowgli's eyes, readers experience the wonders and dangers of the
jungle, encountering iconic characters such as Bagheera the panther,
Baloo the bear, and Shere Khan the tiger.Kipling's masterful storytelling brings the jungle to life with vivid descriptions, colorful characters, and timeless lessons about friendship, courage, and the circle of life. Each story is imbued with a sense of adventure and discovery, as Mowgli navigates the challenges of growing up in the wild and forging bonds with his animal companions. Beyond the adventures of Mowgli, The Jungle Books also feature a collection of enchanting fables and allegories that explore themes of morality, identity, and the human condition. From the wise old tortoise in The White Seal to the cunning mongoose in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, Kipling's animal characters serve as mirrors to humanity, offering insights into the complexities of human nature and the world around us.
The Jungle Books are not merely children's stories; they are timeless classics that appeal to readers of all ages with their universal themes and richly imagined world. Kipling's prose is as enchanting as the jungle itself, inviting readers to lose themselves in the magic and wonder of his storytelling.
Though Kipling's legacy is vast and varied, The Jungle Books remain one of his most enduring contributions to literature, inspiring countless adaptations in film, television, and theater. Their influence extends far beyond the printed page, leaving an indelible mark on popular culture and sparking imaginations around the world. As readers journey through the pages of The Jungle Books, they are transported to a world where the boundaries between civilization and wilderness blur, and the bonds of friendship and loyalty are tested against the backdrop of nature's untamed beauty. Rudyard Kipling's timeless tales remind us of the power of imagination to transport us to faraway lands and awaken the wild spirit that lies within us all.
Just So Stories
Rudyard
Kipling captivated readers of all ages with his timeless collection of
children's stories, Just So Stories. Originally published in 1902, these
enchanting tales have become beloved classics, celebrated for their
whimsical charm, imaginative storytelling, and enduring appeal. Just So
Stories consists of 12 fantastical tales, each offering a playful
explanation for how certain animals came to possess their distinctive
characteristics. From the origins of the elephant's trunk to the reason
why the camel has a hump, Kipling weaves a magical tapestry of folklore
and fable that delights and entertains readers young and old.At the heart of Just So Stories is Kipling's masterful use of language and rhythm, which imbue the tales with a musical quality that enchants the ear and tickles the imagination. Through his evocative prose and vivid imagery, Kipling transports readers to faraway lands and invites them to join him on a journey of discovery and wonder. Each story in Just So Stories is brimming with humor, wit, and a sense of whimsy that makes them a joy to read aloud. Whether it's the mischievous antics of the "The Cat that Walked by Himself" or the daring adventures of The Butterfly That Stamped, Kipling's characters leap off the page and into the hearts of readers with their larger-than-life personalities and boundless imagination. Beyond their entertainment value, Just So Stories also offer valuable lessons about the importance of curiosity, ingenuity, and the power of storytelling. Through his fanciful tales, Kipling encourages readers to embrace their sense of wonder and to see the world through fresh eyes, reminding us that there is magic to be found in even the most ordinary of things.
Though Kipling's legacy spans a wide range of genres and styles, Just So Stories remains one of his most enduring contributions to children's literature. Their timeless appeal and universal themes continue to enchant readers of all ages, inspiring countless adaptations in film, television, and theater. As readers journey through the pages of Just So Stories, they are transported to a world where the impossible becomes possible, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary. Rudyard Kipling's whimsical tales remind us of the joy of storytelling and the power of imagination to transform the world around us.
Tales of East and West
Rudyard
Kipling was a literary giant whose works traversed continents and
cultures, reflecting the complexities of the East and the West. Among
his diverse body of work, Tales of East and West stands out as a
compelling exploration of the intersection between these two worlds,
offering readers a rich tapestry of stories that illuminate the human
experience across borders and boundaries. Originally published in 1926,
Tales of East and West is a collection of short stories that showcases
Kipling's keen insight into the cultural dynamics and social conventions
of the time. Drawing upon his own experiences growing up in colonial
India and his subsequent travels around the world, Kipling crafts a
series of narratives that capture the essence of life in both the East
and the West.At the heart of Tales of East and West is Kipling's fascination with the clash and convergence of cultures, as exemplified by the characters who inhabit his stories. From British expatriates navigating the complexities of life in India to Indian natives grappling with the challenges of modernity and tradition, Kipling's characters embody the tensions and contradictions inherent in the colonial experience. One of the most notable stories in the collection is The Man Who Would Be King, which follows the adventures of two British adventurers who set out to establish their own kingdom in the remote mountains of Afghanistan. Through their exploits, Kipling explores themes of imperialism, ambition, and the hubris of colonialism, offering a scathing critique of the colonial enterprise.
In Tales of East and West, Kipling also delves into the rich tapestry of Indian folklore and mythology, drawing upon traditional stories and legends to create a vivid portrait of life in colonial India. From the cunning tricks of the wily mongoose in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi to the timeless wisdom of the jungle animals in The Jungle Book, Kipling celebrates the richness and diversity of Indian culture while also interrogating the legacy of British imperialism.
Though Kipling's portrayal of colonial India has been subject to criticism and debate, Tales of East and West remains a fascinating exploration of cultural encounters and the complexities of identity. Through his evocative prose and vivid storytelling, Kipling invites readers to journey across continents and centuries, exploring the myriad ways in which the East and the West have shaped and influenced each other. As readers immerse themselves in the pages of Tales of East and West, they are transported to a world where the boundaries between cultures blur and the human spirit transcends geography and nationality. Rudyard Kipling's timeless tales remind us of the power of literature to bridge divides and foster understanding, offering a glimpse into the shared humanity that unites us all.
Captains Courageous
Rudyard
Kipling embarked on a literary voyage into the high seas with his
classic novel Captains Courageous. Published in 1897, this captivating
tale of adventure and redemption has captured the imaginations of
readers for generations, offering a thrilling glimpse into the rugged
world of seafaring life. Set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean,
Captains Courageous follows the journey of Harvey Cheyne, a privileged
young boy who is swept overboard from a transatlantic steamship and
rescued by a fishing schooner. Forced to adapt to the harsh realities of
life at sea, Harvey finds himself among a colorful crew of fishermen
who teach him the virtues of hard work, humility, and camaraderie. At
the heart of the novel is Harvey's transformation from a spoiled and
entitled youth into a mature and courageous young man. Under the
guidance of the grizzled captain Disko Troop and the stalwart sailor
Manuel, Harvey learns the value of perseverance and self-reliance as he
navigates the challenges of life aboard the fishing vessel.Through his vivid descriptions and evocative prose, Kipling captures the rugged beauty and danger of the sea, immersing readers in a world of towering waves, salty spray, and endless horizons. From the bustling docks of Gloucester, Massachusetts, to the treacherous fishing grounds of the Grand Banks, Kipling's narrative transports readers to a bygone era of seafaring adventure and maritime lore. Captains Courageous is more than just a thrilling tale of survival and adventure; it is also a timeless coming-of-age story that explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the resilience of the human spirit. As Harvey grapples with the challenges of life at sea, he discovers a sense of purpose and belonging that he never knew existed, forging bonds of friendship that transcend social class and circumstance.
Published to critical acclaim, Captains Courageous remains one of Kipling's most enduring works, celebrated for its vivid characters, vivid settings, and timeless themes. The novel has inspired numerous adaptations in film, television, and theater, solidifying its status as a classic of adventure literature that continues to captivate and inspire readers of all ages. As readers journey through the pages of Captains Courageous, they are transported to a world where the wind blows strong, the waves roll high, and the spirit of adventure knows no bounds. Rudyard Kipling's seafaring epic reminds us of the courage and resilience that lie within us all, urging us to set sail on our own voyages of discovery and self-discovery.
If poem by Rudyard Kipling
A
timeless masterpiece poem, If, was first published in 1910 as part of
his collection Rewards and Fairies. "If" has since become one of the
most beloved and widely quoted poems in the English language, celebrated
for its profound wisdom, moral insight, and timeless advice for
navigating life's challenges. Structured as a series of hypothetical
scenarios addressed to the poet's son, "If" serves as a poetic manifesto
of virtue and stoicism, offering a roadmap for living a life of
integrity, resilience, and self-mastery. Through its evocative language
and stirring imagery, Kipling imparts a series of moral and
philosophical lessons that transcend time and place, speaking to the
universal truths and enduring values that define the human experience.At the heart of "If" is the theme of personal responsibility and moral courage, as Kipling encourages his son—and by extension, all readers—to cultivate the qualities of patience, perseverance, and fortitude in the face of adversity. From remaining calm in the midst of chaos to trusting oneself in the pursuit of one's goals, the poem offers a series of practical and timeless lessons for navigating life's trials and tribulations with dignity and grace. Throughout the poem, Kipling extols the virtues of humility, self-reliance, and self-discipline, emphasizing the importance of maintaining one's integrity and staying true to one's principles, even in the face of temptation and adversity. His words resonate with a sense of moral clarity and conviction, inspiring readers to strive for excellence and live with purpose and integrity.
Published to widespread acclaim, "If" has transcended its status as a mere poem to become a cultural touchstone, quoted and referenced by politicians, educators, and motivational speakers around the world. Its enduring popularity attests to the timeless wisdom and universal appeal of Kipling's words, which continue to inspire and uplift readers of all ages and backgrounds. As readers reflect on the timeless wisdom of "If," they are reminded of the enduring power of literature to illuminate the human condition and offer guidance and solace in times of uncertainty. Rudyard Kipling's poetic masterpiece stands as a testament to the enduring power of virtue, stoicism, and moral courage, urging us all to strive for greatness and live with integrity in the pursuit of our highest ideals.
The Man Who Would Be King
Rudyard
Kipling penned one of his most enduring works with the novella The Man
Who Would Be King. First published in 1888 as part of his collection The
Phantom 'Rickshaw and other Eerie Tales, this captivating tale of
ambition, adventure, and hubris has captured the imaginations of readers
for generations, offering a poignant exploration of the human desire
for power and glory. Set against the backdrop of British India during
the height of the British Empire, The Man Who Would Be King follows the
exploits of Daniel Dravot and Peachey Carnehan, two British adventurers
who set out to establish their own kingdom in the remote mountains of
Afghanistan. Fueled by a potent combination of ambition, greed, and
hubris, the two men embark on a daring quest to conquer and rule over
the indigenous tribes of the region, believing themselves to be destined
for greatness.As Dravot and Carnehan navigate the treacherous terrain of the Afghan wilderness, they encounter a series of challenges and obstacles that test their mettle and their resolve. Along the way, they employ cunning, courage, and sheer force of will to overcome their adversaries and establish themselves as rulers of their own kingdom, earning the loyalty and admiration of the local population. However, their newfound power and success prove to be their undoing, as they are ultimately betrayed by their own hubris and arrogance. In a tragic and ironic twist of fate, Dravot's attempt to pass himself off as a god among the indigenous people leads to his downfall, resulting in a violent and catastrophic end to their grandiose ambitions.
Through his evocative prose and vivid storytelling, Kipling explores themes of imperialism, ambition, and the pitfalls of unchecked ambition. The Man Who Would Be King serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of colonialism and the consequences of overreaching ambition, reminding readers of the fragile and precarious nature of power and authority.
Published to critical acclaim, The Man Who Would Be King remains one of Kipling's most enduring and celebrated works, celebrated for its gripping narrative, richly drawn characters, and profound insights into the human condition. The novella has inspired numerous adaptations in film, theater, and television, solidifying its status as a classic of adventure literature that continues to captivate and resonate with readers around the world. As readers journey through the pages of The Man Who Would Be King, they are transported to a world of intrigue, danger, and betrayal, where the pursuit of power and glory ultimately leads to ruin. Rudyard Kipling's timeless tale serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the consequences of playing god in a world where even kings are subject to the whims of fate.
Today Rudyard Kipling is considered among the greatest authors in English Literature, and is highly respected as a master of short story writing. Throughout his life Rudyard Kipling published many short stories and poems including the following:
Departmental Ditties - 1886
Plain Tales From the Hills - 1887
Sea to Sea (sketches) - 1889
Life's Handicap - 1890
The Light That Failed - 1891
Barrack Room Ballads - 1892
Many Inventions - 1893
The Jungle Book - 1894
The Second Jungle Book - 1895
The Seven Seas - 1896
Captains Courageous - 1897
The Day's Work - 1898
Salky and Co. - 1899
Kim - 1901
Just So Stories for Little Children - 1902
The Five Nations - 1903
Puck of Pook's Hill - 1906
Actions and Reactions - 1909
Rewards and Fairies - 1910
A Book of Words - 1928
Something of Myself an Autobiography - written 1936 and published 1937
Departmental Ditties - 1886
Plain Tales From the Hills - 1887
Sea to Sea (sketches) - 1889
Life's Handicap - 1890
The Light That Failed - 1891
Barrack Room Ballads - 1892
Many Inventions - 1893
The Jungle Book - 1894
The Second Jungle Book - 1895
The Seven Seas - 1896
Captains Courageous - 1897
The Day's Work - 1898
Salky and Co. - 1899
Kim - 1901
Just So Stories for Little Children - 1902
The Five Nations - 1903
Puck of Pook's Hill - 1906
Actions and Reactions - 1909
Rewards and Fairies - 1910
A Book of Words - 1928
Something of Myself an Autobiography - written 1936 and published 1937
The Swastika
Many of Rudyard Kipling's older books have a swastika printed on their covers, which has led to many claiming that he is racist. The truth is that the swastika is an Indian sign of good luck, often used by Hindu traders on their account books; when the Nazis started to gain recognition he commanded the engraver to remove it from the printing block. (Note that the arms of the Nazi swastika bend to the right, not to the left as in Kipling's which is more typical of the swastika used by Buddhists.) Source and additional information: Rudyard Kipling