Teaching Strategies

          In order to survive and flourish, Mowgli and Bod must learn about the history, customs, and dangers of their surroundings. The children’s teachers use different methods in order to instill knowledge. In the graveyard, the inhabitants change in response to Bod’s arrival and in the jungle, the animals expect Mowgli to adapt and assimilate into the culture.  The graveyard provides a more child-centered place of learning in which Bod’s contribution is valued whereas the jungle is patronizing and views children as untrained adults. Both Baloo of The Jungle Book and Miss Lupescu of The Graveyard Book rely on rote memorization to teach their pupils, but they respond differently to the child’s rejection of the method.

Mowgli is compelled to learn about the ways of the jungle and blend into the already established culture. Baloo believes strongly in the importance of rote memorization and would never be convinced otherwise even when his pupil responds negatively. Mowgli has to “repeat the same thing a hundred times” (Kipling 28) and eventually becomes “angry and indignant” (Kipling 28) after enduring Baloo’s physical punishment. He is driven to play with the monkeys because they give him attention and agree with his resentment towards his teacher. Mowgli is unwilling to learn because Baloo insists on rough beatings and passive memorization. After Baloo and Bagheera save Mowgli from the Monkey People, they remind him that “sorrow never stays punishment” (Kipling 48). Even though it was Baloo’s beatings and emphasis on rote memory that drove Mowgli away, the bear shows no intention of changing his ways. Baloo learns nothing from his experience and is more concerned with shaming Mowgli about his actions. Baloo does not take into account the reasons behind Mowgli’s interactions with the monkeys and continues to beat him. Mowgli’s feelings of shame and indignation have zero effect on the consequences of his behavior and on Baloo’s teaching methods. Kipling emphasizes the consistency of punishment despite Baloo’s worry and love towards his pupil. Young Mowgli must adapt to the environment rather than expect the animals changing in response to his needs.

The graveyard is responsive to Bod’s needs creating a child-centered environment that respects Bod. Unlike Baloo, when Miss Lupescu sees that Bod is upset and angry about her lessons, she listens to his opinion and changes. Bod’s teacher “taught in lists” (Gaiman 71) and her strictness made Bod feel “unloved and underappreciated” (Gaiman 73). The author’s choice of the word, “unappreciated” indicates how he believes children should be valued and respected. On the other hand, Kipling’s tone of voice emphasizes the failures and naiveté of children who are in need of consistent punishment. After Bod is safe, Miss Lupescu tells Silas that she “also learned things” (Gaiman 98). Lupescu admits fallibility and shows that she may have regretted her teaching methods.  She begins to take Bod’s interests and feelings into consideration. She teaches him about the constellations (Gaiman 95) in response to his curiosity about them. Miss Lupescu shows that she cares about Bod and works on being a more effective teacher for him.