Empathy

Empathy plays a key role in both The Jungle Book and The Graveyard Book. However, the reasoning behind the empathy of the main characters and the rewards they receive differ between the two stories. In The Graveyard Book, empathy is considered the civic duty of all people, in order to help those in need. In The Jungle Book, empathy is used as another means of group survival.

The Lady on the Grey in The Graveyard Book states the importance of empathy when she instructs the graveyard to have “charity,” (Gaiman 30). The Lady on the Grey instructs the graveyard to have charity in taking care of Bod, and be empathetic toward the infant who can not help himself. There are no benefits derived by the graveyard in helping the baby. Mr. Owens, speaking on behalf of his wife, says, “She sees it as doing her duty,” (Gaiman 21). Gaiman believes that people should empathize with others in need, not for any particular gain but simply because they need help. Bod, taken in by the graveyard because of the notion of empathy and charity to those in need, begins to commit charitable acts on his own later in the story. Two of his classmates steal and bully from other students, and Bod helps the classmates and prevents the bullying. Bod gains nothing, except perhaps a feeling of self worth, from helping his fellow students.  Bod helps the students in need because of Gaiman’s notion of empathy for the sake of those in need, and not because of a desire for group survival.

In contrast, characters in The Jungle Book use empathy as a means of survival among the constant threat of the jungle. Mowgli is accepted into the wolf pride in exchange for food, not because of an innate desire to help those in need. The young wolves respond to this exchange, when they say, “The cub can be bought for a price. It is the Law,” (13 Kipling). The wolves have no established desire or need to be empathetic toward the young child, but become empathetic in exchange for food. Akela, after the exchange of food for the child is finalized, states, “Men and their cubs are very wise. He may be a help in time,” (13 Kipling). Akela reveals the nature of empathy in the jungle in this passage. There are no favors amongst its inhabitants; rather help is given in exchange for a price or a perceived value in the future.

Both The Graveyard Book and The Jungle Book display empathy and compassion to a child in need. However, empathy in The Graveyard Book is given because it is perceived as the duty of those who give help. In contrast, The Jungle Book, uses empathy as a bargaining chip for the survival of animals within the jungle.