The snake Kaa is the most important side character of Kipling's Jungle Books. It changed within the years or re-telling the story. How it changed is analysed in this paper.
In this paper I will describe how the role of the snake Kaa changes and develops from its original role in Kipling’s books to the way the snake is portrayed in three different film adaptations. In general, Kaa has more of a side part – in one adaptation the snake only appears once. However, provided with a great variety of characteristics and sometimes also mystic qualities, the snake becomes a very important part in the developing storyline. The fact that Kaa never plays the same role in any of the film adaptations, which in turn also differ from Kipling’s original stories about Mowgli, makes this character especially fascinating. It is interesting to take a closer look at how the snake is developed and under which circumstances it meets the so called “Man-cub”. Kipling introduces Kaa as a male, a mighty resident of the jungle who is friends with Bagheera and Baloo. In the Disney adaptations Kaa is more of a maverick, searching for food and trying to earn Mowgli’s trust in order to eat him. In one Disney version Kaa is male, and in the later version the snake is female. In the Warner film, the snake becomes more than just an inhabitant of the jungle. I will have a detailed look at the four different ways in which Kaa is described, the snake’s various characteristics and also consider the role of the snake in other contexts.
In over hundred years of re-telling Kipling’s “The Jungle Books”, the snake Kaa develops from Mowgli’s smartest friend to his enemy to an omniscient prophetic saver of the jungle and is the most important side role in all analysed versions of “The Jungle Books”.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Kaa in Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Books"
- 2.1 Kaa, the hunter
- 2.2 The duality of gender
- 2.3 Kaa in "The Second Jungle Book"
- 3. Comparison to three film adaptations
- 3.1 Disney 1967 - the clumsy, always hungry backstabber
- 3.2 Disney 2016 – the story-telling, dangerous seductress
- 3.3 Netflix 2018 – the omniscient, friendly and violent female narrator
- 4. Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to analyze the evolution of the character Kaa, the snake, from Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Books" to three different film adaptations. The study examines how Kaa's role, characteristics, and interactions with Mowgli change across these versions, highlighting the diverse portrayals of the character.
- The changing portrayal of Kaa across different adaptations.
- The use of anthropomorphism in children's literature and its political implications.
- Kaa's role as a hunter and his relationship with Mowgli.
- The exploration of gender duality in Kaa's characterization.
- Kaa's development from a supporting character to a more significant role.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by discussing the common use of anthropomorphic animals in children's literature and its frequent connection to political commentary. It highlights the intellectual and emotional distance afforded by this literary device, allowing for critical reflection on societal issues. The chapter uses "Alfred J. Kwak" as an example of blatant political messaging through anthropomorphism, contrasting it with the more subtle political undertones in Kipling's "The Jungle Books." The central focus is introduced: a comparative analysis of Kaa's evolving role from Kipling's original work to three film adaptations, emphasizing the significant variations in Kaa's portrayal and the character's growing importance across these different versions.
2. Kaa in Rudyard Kipling's “The Jungle Books”: This chapter delves into Kaa's portrayal in Kipling's original work, focusing on his initial appearance as a powerful, albeit somewhat flawed, hunter. Kaa is introduced as a figure feared by the monkeys, emphasizing his strength and imposing presence. The chapter explores the details of his physical description, highlighting Kipling's accurate depiction of a python's condition after shedding its skin. The discussion analyzes Kaa's pride as a character flaw, which is cleverly manipulated by Bagheera to enlist Kaa's help in rescuing Mowgli. The chapter further underscores the unique position of Mowgli, highlighting the unusual alliance between a panther, bear, and snake in their concern for Mowgli's well-being, indicating Mowgli's special status in the jungle ecosystem. It also touches upon Mowgli's unique ability to communicate in various jungle languages, which plays a crucial role in his survival and eventual mastery of the jungle.
Keywords
Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Books, Kaa, film adaptations, anthropomorphism, character analysis, gender, political commentary, children's literature, comparative literature, narrative development.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Kaa in Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Books" and Film Adaptations
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the evolution of the character Kaa, the snake, from Rudyard Kipling's "The Jungle Books" to three different film adaptations. It examines how Kaa's role, characteristics, and interactions with Mowgli change across these versions, highlighting the diverse portrayals of the character and exploring the use of anthropomorphism in children's literature and its potential political implications.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the changing portrayal of Kaa across different adaptations; the use of anthropomorphism in children's literature and its political implications; Kaa's role as a hunter and his relationship with Mowgli; the exploration of gender duality in Kaa's characterization; and Kaa's development from a supporting character to a more significant role.
Which film adaptations of "The Jungle Book" are analyzed?
The paper analyzes three film adaptations: the Disney 1967 version, the Disney 2016 version, and the Netflix 2018 version. The analysis compares and contrasts Kaa's portrayal in each adaptation, highlighting the significant variations in his characterization.
How is Kaa portrayed in Rudyard Kipling's original work?
In Kipling's "The Jungle Books," Kaa is presented as a powerful hunter, albeit with a certain pride that can be manipulated. The paper examines Kaa's physical description, his interactions with Mowgli, and his role in the narrative, emphasizing his strength and imposing presence.
How does the paper compare Kaa's portrayal across the different adaptations?
The paper compares and contrasts Kaa's portrayal in the three film adaptations, noting significant differences. For instance, it discusses Kaa's portrayal as a clumsy, hungry backstabber in the 1967 Disney adaptation, a dangerous seductress in the 2016 Disney adaptation, and an omniscient, friendly, yet violent female narrator in the 2018 Netflix adaptation.
What is the significance of anthropomorphism in this analysis?
The paper explores the use of anthropomorphism in children's literature and its frequent connection to political commentary. It discusses how anthropomorphic animals can provide intellectual and emotional distance, allowing for critical reflection on societal issues. The analysis considers the subtle political undertones in Kipling's work and how they might be amplified or altered in the film adaptations.
What is the role of Mowgli in this analysis?
Mowgli's relationship with Kaa and the unique alliance between Mowgli, Bagheera, and Baloo are significant aspects of the analysis. Mowgli's special status in the jungle ecosystem and his ability to communicate in various jungle languages are highlighted as crucial to his survival and the narrative.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide a concise overview of the paper's key arguments. The introduction establishes the context of anthropomorphism in children's literature and the central focus on comparing Kaa's portrayal across different versions. The chapter on Kaa in Kipling's work delves into his character, his role as a hunter, and his interactions with Mowgli. The conclusion (though not fully detailed in the provided text) would likely summarize the findings of the comparative analysis.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Keywords include: Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Books, Kaa, film adaptations, anthropomorphism, character analysis, gender, political commentary, children's literature, comparative literature, and narrative development.
- Quote paper
- Robert Cramer (Author), 2019, The role of the snake Kaa in Rudyard Kipling’s "The Jungle Books" and in three film adaptations, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/535010
