Children's Conduct

The Graveyard Book and The Jungle Book exemplify how children should behave in their respective times. Kipling’s themes reflect a desire for security and social structure while Gaiman’s themes reflect a desire for group happiness and prosperity.

Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, written at the end of the 19^th century, argues that children should be strong and obedient. Mowgli, the idealized male child, exemplifies all of these traits. The main trait is obedience, best exemplified by the law of the jungle. People and animals who obey the law of jungle live in harmony, while those who do not, such as Sheer Khan, the Bandar Log, and the Mugger, all suffer. When the wolf pack is trying to run Mowgli off under the direction of Sheer Khan, his response is, “I have obeyed the law of the jungle,” which should prove his loyalty and utility to the pack (Kipling 16). Other animals echo this theme of obedience, as Billy the Mule says, “All you have to do is obey the man at your head and ask no questions” (Kipling 146). Since disobedience causes problems for the whole group, such as army have problems if a pack mule does not do his job, obedience is a way of ensuring group security.

Neil Gaiman takes a very different approach in dealing with childhood behavior. Written in the early 21^st century, The Graveyard Book contends that children should be curious and empathetic. While curiosity usually results in trouble for Mowgli, leading to his capture by the Bandar Log and subsequent punishment, curiosity is an essential part of Bod’s life. While he does get into trouble for being curious, such as his capture by the ghouls and the man Jack nearly finding him during his encounter with Abanazer, Bod’s curiosity is the only thing that leads him out of the graveyard. Bod recognizes that only by exploring the world and learning new things can he defeat the Jacks and live his life up to his “infinite potential” (Gaiman 179). In addition, the last thing Mrs. Owens tells Bod when leaves the graveyard is to “leave no path untaken,” a task that requires curiosity and the exploration of new places (Gaiman 307). Without curiosity as a motivator, the living would be unable to realize their potential. Besides curiosity, empathy is an emphasized characteristic in the modern child. Bod’s empathy for the plight of Liza Hempstock, leads him on a quest to get a headstone for her. This quest puts him in danger, as he encounters people who can contact Jack. However, in return for empathizing with Liza and trying to help her, she says, “now, perhaps I can do a good turn for you” (Gaiman 132). Liza helps Bod avoid Abanazer and Tom and later becomes his friend. Bod’s empathy for Liza results in greater happiness for Liza and for himself, making two lives better. The power of empathy is something that the modern child should understand and use to help improve collective human life.