The Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling
Contains spoilers for the entire book.
Discussion topics
Topic 01 of 08
Mowgli's brothers
What does it mean for Mowgli to be raised by wolves and still be a man?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does the pack accept him, and why does it later turn against him?
- What does Mowgli lose when he leaves?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.
Discussion topics
What does it mean for Mowgli to be raised by wolves and still be a man?
Keep the conversation going
- Why does the pack accept him, and why does it later turn against him?
- What does Mowgli lose when he leaves?
What is the Law of the Jungle, and who keeps it?
Keep the conversation going
- How do Baloo and Bagheera teach it differently?
- Is the jungle more lawful than the village?
What does Mowgli learn from being carried off by the Bandar-log?
Keep the conversation going
- Why do the monkeys have no law?
- What did you make of Kaa's hypnotic dance?
How did you feel about Mowgli's revenge on Shere Khan?
Keep the conversation going
- Is Shere Khan simply a villain?
- Why does the village turn on Mowgli after he succeeds?
What makes Rikki-tikki-tavi a hero?
Keep the conversation going
- What did you make of Nag and Nagaina?
- Was Rikki right to destroy the eggs?
What drives Kotick to search for a safe island for his people?
Keep the conversation going
- How did you react to the seal-killing scenes?
- What does Kotick's persistence say about leadership?
What does Little Toomai see at the elephants' dance, and why does it matter?
Keep the conversation going
- Why don't the men believe in the dance?
- What does it say about childhood and wonder?
What does the book suggest about the bond, and the gap, between animals and humans?
Keep the conversation going
- Which story best captures it for you?
- How do you read Kipling's view of empire through these stories?
There is no single right answer. Bring your own reading.