The Jungle Book by
Rudyard Kipling and The Graveyard Book by
Neil Gaiman have numerous similarities within the storyline, however, a more
significant meaning lies within the differences. Mowgli the frog and Nobody “Bod” Owens, the protagonists
of The Jungle Book and The Graveyard Book respectively have
similar adventures within their stories, but they differ personality-wise. Mowgli’s defining characteristic is control,
while Bod’s is empathy. The emphasis on
these qualities highlights the authors’ views on how children should behave
based on the authors’ backgrounds and personal beliefs.
Kipling grew up with parents who thought of themselves as “Anglo-Indians”,
meaning that they were of British origin living in India. This resulted in identity issues for Kipling
throughout his childhood. He experienced
intense cruelty and neglect during the 1870’s as he and his sister were taken
in by a couple in India (“Rudyard Kipling”).
His life lacked control and as a child he lacked power. He highlights the importance of control and
power in the youth through Mowgli in The
Jungle Book. Mowgli is taught that
the Law of the Jungle is to “[s]trike first and then give tongue” (The Jungle Book, 17), emphasizing the
importance of having control in the situation and possessing the most power. He also learns that he has power within his
family of wolves. He is told that “[t]he
others they hate thee because their eyes cannot meet thine; because thou art
wise” (The Jungle Book, 17). Mowgli uses his power over other animals to
control them and for his personal benefit.
Kipling, influenced by his own childhood, makes clear through the use of
Mowgli the values and characteristics he believes children should possess.
Gaiman had a very different childhood than Kipling. He could read at the age of four, exposing
himself to different worlds and different types of people early on in his life
(“Neil Gaiman”). He was happy while
reading; he was continuously learning.
He learned to put himself into the characters’ shoes, adopting
empathy. Gaiman communicates the
importance of empathy in children through Bod in The Graveyard Book. Bod
feels the witch’s pain in “The Witch’s Headstone” and goes on a mission to help
her get her own headstone (The Graveyard
Book, 99). He makes friends with her,
and she later helps him in tough situations.
Bod also feels empathetic to the younger children being bullied in “Nobody
Owens’ School Days” and stands up to the bullies to help them (The Graveyard Book, 174). Though he got himself in some trouble by speaking
up, he felt good and prevented the future bullying of the younger
students. Gaiman saw the effects of
empathy in children through himself and the characters in the books he read and
uses Bod to exhibit the importance of empathy in children.
Although The Jungle Book and The Graveyard Book have similar
storylines, they have different messages.
Kipling used Mowgli to express the importance of power and control in children,
while Gaiman used Bod to highlight the importance of empathy. They both put their respective characters in
situations where control or empathy will shine through. Mowgli and Bod are ultimately influenced from
the younger Kipling and Gaiman and their own experiences as children.