Rikki Tavi Sparknotes

Rikki-Tikki Tavi Culminating Writing Task The narrator ends the story, “Rikki Tikki Tavi” by stating that “Rikki had a right to be proud of himself, but he did not grow too proud”.
I disagree with this statement because the story provides multiple examples of Rikkis’ conceited attitude and overblown image of himself.
“...Teddy’s father beat the dead Karait. “What is the use of that?” thought Rikki-tikki; “I have settled it all. (794)”. This quote suggests that Rikki-Tikki is becoming too proud. He is questioning why the father is beating the snake that he already killed. Rikki feels he did a fine job himself and the father has no reason to do that.
Another example of Rikki’s excessive pride is found on page 799. He states, “The boy is safe, and it was I—I—I that caught Nag by the hood last night in the bathroom.’ Then he began to jump up and down, all four feet together, his head close to the floor. (799)”. Rikki brags to Nagaina, Nag’s wife, that he was the only one who killed Nag. The father receives no credit for shooting the snake in two, but instead, Rikki gives it all to himself. He feels that if the father had not shot Nag, he would have died anyway due to his ferocious bite.

Give me the last of my eggs, and I will go away and never come back,” she said, lowering her hood. (799-800)”. Nagaina pleads with Rikki to give her the last living egg from her clutch.His response; “Yes, you will go away, and you will never come back, for you will go to the rubbish heap with Nag… (799-800)”. Rikki is positive that he will defeat Nagaina and is not willing to back down. By showing no mercy what-so-ever towards her, he is also displaying egotistical thinking. When people are overly proud, they show no mercy towards others and tend to care only about themselves, not about others. We see this attitude demonstrated by Rikki in this