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Chapter 5
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Kim, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Mentorship and Parenthood
Race, Identity, and Colonialism
Connection vs. Detachment
Misogyny
Summary
Analysis
Kim finds escape more difficult than he imagined while traveling with the sahibs, being closely watched. His prophecy of war proves correct, however, and Kim enjoys the attention of the Maverick regiment. There is little hard work at first, and Kim cautiously enjoys his life as a sahib. However, Kim is placed in a school at the barracks, an unpleasant experience which he tries to sleep through. Kim has a brilliant idea and, under the supervision of a drummer-boy, hails a sweeper at the edge of camp, asking him to bring a letter-writer to him.
Kim’s ego is checked here, as he discovers that escape might not be as easy as he imagined. Still, Kim does not lose initiative, using his insider knowledge of troop movement to win the attention and admiration of the Mavericks. This highlights Kim’s knack for performance, as well as his thirst for attention. Though his new predicament is far from ideal, he still manages to skew the circumstances in his favor.
Themes
The letter-writer arrives, offering his services for four anees. However, Kim demands a fairer price, showing he is not an Englishman by squatting—in native fashion—down beside the letter writer. The letter-writer lowers the price, and Kim dictates a letter to Mahbub Ali, explaining his predicament and asking for help and money to pay the scribe. Hearing this, the letter-writer feels duped, but is sufficiently impressed with Kim’s connection to Mahbub Ali—a famous name—to deliver the message. After, the drummer-boy berates Kim for talking to a native boy, but Kim placates him by asking for stories of England. Later, Kim is called by Father Victor, who has just received the lama’s letter.
This scene illustrates the fluidity of Kim’s racial identity, and the different treatment he receives depending on how he chooses to present himself. Initially perceiving Kim to be white, the letter-writer tries to extort him. However, recognizing Kim’s squat as that of a native, he lowers his price. This underscores the complex, multi-dimensional nature of racial identity, at least to Indians like the letter-writer. To him, Kim’s behavior is proof enough of his “native” status, skin color notwithstanding.
Themes
Father Victor reads the lama’s letter, detailing his travels with the widow and promising 300 rupees a year for Kim to go to St. Xavier’s in Lucknow. Father Victor is skeptical, telling Kim that if the money arrives, he can go to St. Xavier’s; otherwise, he goes to the Military orphanage. Kim spends the next three days in misery, wondering whether Mahbub will send him money and receiving beatings from the drummer-boy. On the fourth day, the drummer-boy reports Kim escaping with a “scarlet-bearded” man on horseback. Father Victor receives the news with shock, having just received 300 rupees from the lama. Several miles away, Mahbub—the rider—worries to Kim about the consequences his rescue will have on his reputation.
Again, the lama proves the depth of his love for Kim, sending money to Father Victor to pay for a proper education. This gesture is all the more profound—and ironic—given the lama’s distaste for materialism: the lama’s devotion is such that he is willing to betray his beliefs in order to support Kim’s future. This scene also highlights Father Victor’s prejudice, exemplified by his shock that the lama followed through on his promise. This underscores the difference in reputation enjoyed by holy men in India; in stark contrast to Father Victor, most natives treat holy men like the lama as paragons of honesty and integrity.
Themes
Kim asks Mahbub to drop him beyond the sentries, reminding him of the favor he did for him. Mahbub tries to trick Kim, but Kim sees through it. An Englishman arrives, greeting Mahbub and asking after one of his horses. Mahbub divulges Kim’s identity and predicament to the Englishman, including his delivery of the message about the white stallion. Kim is brought back to the barracks, and the Englishman introduces himself to Father Victor as Colonel Creighton. Kim curses Mahbub, but Mahbub claims to have done him a “great service,” promising him he won’t be made into a soldier. Creighton tells Father Victor the “boy shouldn’t be wasted if he is as advertised.”
Kim is out of his depth here, perhaps for the first time in the novel. Though unusually sharp and quick-witted, Kim cannot comprehend Mahbub’s motivations for returning him to the English, despite Mahbub’s assurances. As such, this scene hints at a major shift in Kim’s relationship to the world at large; judging from his inability to grasp the true nature of the events unfolding around him, Kim is clearly implicated in something much larger than himself.
Themes
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Father Victor and Colonel Creighton discuss Kim’s past and the lama’s offer to pay for his schooling. Father Victor is unsure whether the lama’s offer is genuine, but Creighton reassures him, offering to take Kim to Lucknow personally in several days' time. Mahbub bids goodbye to Kim, whispering to him that his “fortune is made” and predicting they will see each other again. Before leaving, the Colonel speaks to Kim of his plan to take him to Lucknow in three days. Kim promises not to run away, but asks whether he will see the lama in Lucknow. The Colonel does not directly answer, but points out Lucknow is closer to Benares than Umballa.
Kim occupies the attentions of several important men, hinting at a looming paradigm shift for him. Though the exact nature of the plans being made for him are unclear, the involvement of Colonel Creighton, a major figure in the British military, suggests Kim is being groomed for something important. Though still unhappy with his predicament, Kim seems to sense this: reassured by Mahbub that his “fortune is made,” he promises not to run away.
Themes
