kev67
04-06-2014, 05:36 PM
I am quite interested in Kipling's attitude to religion in Kim. I assume Rudyard Kipling would have been a Christian, probably Church of England. At the time, I assume most Christians thought non-Christians were in serious doctrinal error, and headed for an eternity of roasting in fire and brimstone: a bit harsh maybe, but God must know what He's doing. Kipling seems to take a more modern clerical attitude in that any belief system is almost as good as any other so long as it is sincerely held. Most of Kim's associates would be Hindus or Muslims. The horse trader Mahbub Ali says things like, "God's curse on all unbelievers! I do not give to a lousy Tibetan; but ask my Baltis over yonder behind the camels. They may value your blessings."
The Tibetan is Teshoo Lama, who is searching for a sacred river. You can tell he is a holy man, by his goodness, lack of greed, and his willingness to forgive and to think the best of people. He follows the "Middle Way", and frequently refers to people being bound to the "Wheel" (of life) by worldly concerns. Sikhs and Parsees are mentioned. I cannot remember Jains being mentioned yet. Kim regards himself as a low caste or casteless Hindu, but then starts to regard himself the lama's chela or disciple. Two priests have come off badly so far. One was a Hindu priest who tried to steal some money from the lama. The other was a Church of England chaplain, Mr Bennett, who Kim describes as a fool. The other regimental chaplain is the Roman Catholic priest, Father Victor. He is described as a wiser, more sensitive man. Kim is then sent off to a Roman Catholic school. There is a passage in chapter 6 which reads:
"...They'll cure all that nonsense at St Xavier's, eh?"
"Sprinkle him with holy water," the Colonel laughed.
"On my word, I fancy I ought to sometimes. But I am hoping he will be brought up as a good Catholic. All that troubles me is what'll happen if the old beggar-man _"
"Lama, lama, my dear sir; and some of them are gentlemen in their own country."
"The lama, then, fails to pay next year. He's a fine business head to plan on the spur of the moment, but he's bound to die some day. An' takin' a heathen's money to give a Christian education _"
I wondered about the last point myself. It was quite a lot of money too, about 300 rupees a year. I wondered how that expense could have been justified.
I was also quite amused with Kim's first impressions of Roman Catholicism:
He showed nothing of his mind when Father Victor, for three long mornings, discoursed to him of an entirely new set of Gods and Godlings - notably of a Goddess called Mary, who, he gathered, was one with Bibi Miriam of Mahbub Ali's theology.
The Tibetan is Teshoo Lama, who is searching for a sacred river. You can tell he is a holy man, by his goodness, lack of greed, and his willingness to forgive and to think the best of people. He follows the "Middle Way", and frequently refers to people being bound to the "Wheel" (of life) by worldly concerns. Sikhs and Parsees are mentioned. I cannot remember Jains being mentioned yet. Kim regards himself as a low caste or casteless Hindu, but then starts to regard himself the lama's chela or disciple. Two priests have come off badly so far. One was a Hindu priest who tried to steal some money from the lama. The other was a Church of England chaplain, Mr Bennett, who Kim describes as a fool. The other regimental chaplain is the Roman Catholic priest, Father Victor. He is described as a wiser, more sensitive man. Kim is then sent off to a Roman Catholic school. There is a passage in chapter 6 which reads:
"...They'll cure all that nonsense at St Xavier's, eh?"
"Sprinkle him with holy water," the Colonel laughed.
"On my word, I fancy I ought to sometimes. But I am hoping he will be brought up as a good Catholic. All that troubles me is what'll happen if the old beggar-man _"
"Lama, lama, my dear sir; and some of them are gentlemen in their own country."
"The lama, then, fails to pay next year. He's a fine business head to plan on the spur of the moment, but he's bound to die some day. An' takin' a heathen's money to give a Christian education _"
I wondered about the last point myself. It was quite a lot of money too, about 300 rupees a year. I wondered how that expense could have been justified.
I was also quite amused with Kim's first impressions of Roman Catholicism:
He showed nothing of his mind when Father Victor, for three long mornings, discoursed to him of an entirely new set of Gods and Godlings - notably of a Goddess called Mary, who, he gathered, was one with Bibi Miriam of Mahbub Ali's theology.