Rikki Tavi Analysis

From the story “Rikki-tikki tavi”, by the great author Rudyard Kipling, there is a cobra by the name of Nagania. In the story, Nagania has to learn how to fight her own war after her husband Nag is killed by the mongoose Rikki-tikki. Rikki-tikki is not going to let Nagaina and her family rule this garden. As you read the story, you learn and see how Nagania is ruthless, unforgiving, and protective of her ground and her life. In the story Rikki-tikki tavi, the first sight of Nagania being ruthless is when she and her husband, Nag, plan to kill the family. “When the house is emptied of people,” said Nagaina to her husband, ”he will have to go away, and then the garden will be our own again.Go in quietly, and remember that the big man who killed Karait is the first one to bite. Then come out and tell me, and we will hunt for Rikki-tikki together...”(14) Nag questioned

Since Rikki Tikki heard their plan, Rikki attacked Nag in the bathroom where he was waiting for the big man to come so he could strike and kill. So Rikki snuck into the bathroom and during the commotion of Rikki killing Nag , the “big man” shot Nag and put him outside where Nagaina saw him and knew that this meant war. When Rikki is in the melon patch killing Nagaina’s eggs, so she can’t take over the garden with her family, Darzee’s wife (a bird that lives in the garden of Nagaina and Nag) calls to Rikki telling him that Nagaina is going to kill Teddy, the big man’s son. Nagaina is seeking revenge on the big man because she won’t forgive him for killing her husband Nag and Karait a family snake, so she sings this song to Teddy, “Son of the big man that killed Nag,” she hissed, ”stay still. I am not ready yet. Wait a little. Keep very still, all you three! If you move I’ll strike, and if you don’t move, I strike. Oh foolish people, who killed my Nag!” This shows that Nagania holds a grudge and won’t forgive those that have harmed her