Knowledge Overpowers Ignorance; The Unmistakable Theme for Rikki-tikki-tavi
Theme is the central idea of the story from the beginning to the end, or the lesson/moral of the story. In other words, it’s the “big picture” of the text. It is obvious the theme, in the story Rikki-tikki-tavi by Rudyard Kipling, is the idea that knowledge overpowers ignorance. You’d have to be blind as a bat to not notice that the theme is knowledge overpowers ignorance, because the author of this story gives tons of examples. Rikki, the mongoose,represents knowledge, and the black cobra, Nagaina, is shown as being ignorant. Although I firmly believe that the theme is knowledge overpowers ignorance, I could see how some people with different views might think that…show more content… When the author wrote that Nagaina confronts the family during the daytime, it showed her ignorance. I say this because earlier in the story the antagonist clearly stated to her husband not to attack in the daytime so they could use the element of surprise. Earlier in the story, Nagaina was not thinking ahead when she decided to lay her eggs in the melon patch. Someone or something could have destroyed the eggs since they are out in the open. Which Rikki took advantage of, as I said in paragraph number two. On another occasion in the story, Nagaina carelessly talks loud as a lion’s roar through the bathroom sluice leading Rikki to hear her and spoil the antagonists plans. That is why I know Nagaina is being ignorant in this story, which also backs up my theme.
Next, I'm about to explain what peers of mine may of thought was the theme, and why they thought that. I could see how the theme could be good versus evil with the protagonist Rikki represented as good, and the antagonist Nagaina as bad. Rikki acts exceptionally well when he sticks up for Darzee, the bird, and his babies against Nag and Nagaina. He is being a wonderful friend in that situation. On the other hand, Nagaina acts evil when she kills one of Darzee’s babies just for fun. Other people may have thought this could be the theme, but I know that my theme is a stronger argument than