Intro to Rikki Tikki Tavi

Introduction to

Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

Lesson Objectives& Essential Questions

OBJECTIVES

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

- Students will understand the author's purpose in writing "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi." - Students will identify and analyze key elements of the story. - Students will engage in a critical discussion about the story's themes.

What is the author's purpose in writing "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"? - What are the key elements of the story, and how do they contribute to its meaning? - What themes can we identify in the story, and how do they relate to real life?

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Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

“Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is one of the most famous tales from The Jungle Book, a collection of short stories published in 1894 by English author Rudyard Kipling. Set in India, the stories in The Jungle Book feature animal characters with anthropomorphic traits and are intended to be read as fables, each illustrating a moral lesson. Scholars point out the importance of reading Kipling’s work with a critical eye. Kipling wrote during the colonial period when the British used force to establish control over India and other foreign lands, justifying their rule by claiming their superiority. This historical context can help readers identify implicit bias and prejudice in the writing of Kipling and other British authors of this time period. In this story, Rikki-tikki-tavi is a courageous young mongoose adopted as a pet by a British family living in 19th-century colonial India. Watch StudySync Video

Vocabulary

• Burrow - den
• Stealth – secret action
• Bungalow - cottage
• Horrid – awful, horrible
• Cower - cringe
• Fledgling – baby bird
• Veranda – patio, porch
• Cultivate - plow
• Sluice - drain
• Quiver - shake
• Flutter – flap wings
• Revived - awakened
• Draggled – wet and dirty
• Cunningly - cleverly
• Mourning – sorrow for a death
• Consolation – source of comfort
• immensely-to a great extent; extremely

• providence- the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power.

• sensible- (of a statement or course of action) chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence; likely to be of benefit.

Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936

• Born in Bombay, India.
• Had English parents, and moved back to England when he was six.
• He was very attached to his native land, and returned there as a journalist.
• His stories about India were published in England and were immediately successful.
• The Jungle Book, Kim, and Captains Courageous became successful films.
• Kipling was the first English author to win the Nobel Prize for Literature.

Setting

The story is set in the late 1800’s. Back in those days, Great Britain ruled India. “Rikki- Tikki-Tavi” takes place in a bungalow’s (cottage) garden in Colonial India.

Point of ViewPoint of view is the viewpoint from which the story is told. Rikki Tikki Tavi is told in third person. A narrator is telling the reader what is happening in the story.

Cobra vs. Mongoose

Who do you think will win and why?

Characters

Rikki Tikki Tavi: The main character (protagonist). Rikki is a small but brave mongoose who defends his home and friends against their enemies. Nag: Rikki’s enemy (antagonist). Nag is one of the cobras Rikki must fight to keep the garden safe. Nagaina: Rikki’s enemy (antagonist). Nagaina is another cobra that Rikki must fight to keep the garden safe. Teddy: The young boy in the story. Rikki fights to protect him. Darzee: One of Rikki’s friends. Darzee is a tailorbird. He helps Rikki during the story. Chuchundra: Another one of Rikki’s friends. He is a very timid muskrat that helps Rikki. Karait: A small deadly snake that Rikki encounters in the garden close to Teddy. Teddy’s parents: Teddy’s mother is a little afraid of Rikki, but Teddy’s father thinks he is good to have around.

Theme

One theme from Rikki Tikki Tavi would be courage to protect your family from harm. Rikki, the mongoose, has to fight two cobras, Nag and Nagaina, to protect his garden and Teddy. He is frightened of them because they are stronger and bigger than he is, but he overcomes his fear and fights them anyway.

Plot Diagram

Climax

Rising Action

Falling Action

Exposition

Resolution

Literary Elements

• Plot- the sequence of events
• Setting- the time and place of the story
• Conflict- a struggle between two forces
• Character – major and minor
• Theme – the lesson behind the story
• Tone – the author’s attitude
• Mood – the reader’s feeling

Strategies for Reading Short Stories

Ask questions

Preview

Make inferences

• Get clues from your reading

• Reread

• Predict – what do YOU think will happen?
• Connect with a character – usually the protagonist

Read

Study Sync Video

Summary

Set in nineteenth century colonial India, “Rikki-Tikki-Tavi” is a tale of a mongoose who saves an English family from a cobra attack. After a flood washes Rikki-tikki into the family’s garden, he befriends them and sleeps in their son Teddy’s bed, far from predatory snakes. After Rikki-tikki confronts Nag and Nagaina, the cobras who live in the garden, the two snakes plot to murder the family and the mongoose. Nag hides in the bathroom, but Rikki-tikki leaps on Nag and bites him, holding him down until the boy’s father shoots him. Determined to get revenge, Nagaina sneaks up on Teddy the next day during breakfast. Rikki-tikki lures Nagaina away from Teddy using an egg from her nest. After a fierce confrontation, Nagaina flees, but he follows her into her hole. Later, he emerges to proclaim that Nagaina is no more. The family and garden animals rejoice in the mongoose’s victory.

Thoughts?

What did you think of the story?Next class we will delve deeper into character analysis and themes within the story.