Darzee Character Analysis

Darzee and his wife are a pair of tailorbirds who live in the garden. Like many of the animal occupants, they are terrified of the snakes and lack the ability to stop their depredations. Their lost baby, and the grief it causes them, are the most direct sign of the evil the cobras perpetrate in the garden, as well as how helpless most of the other animals are to prevent it. Crying and singing are about all Darzee can do, and the story portrays him as being very foolish—most notably when he sings triumphantly at Nag’s death, even though Nagaina is still on the loose. Darzee’s flightiness and silliness stand in opposition to Rikki-tikki’s practicality, further helping to separate the mongoose from the cobras’ potential victims in the garden. Darzee also does not want to distract Nagaina at the end of the story to help Rikki-tikki attack her nest, believing it’s not fair to kill eggs. His wife, however, takes up in his stead.