
What do you need to know about Rikki Tikki Tavi?
Everything you need for every book you read. Everything you need for every book you read. The protagonist of the story, Rikki-tikki-tavi is a young, inquisitive mongoose who saves his adoptive English family—and the animals in their garden—from the dastardly cobras Nag and Nagaina.
What animal is Nag in Rikki Tikki Tavi?
He’s described as fearless, self-confident, and… read analysis of Rikki-tikki-tavi Nag is a cobra, who along with his mate Nagaina, serves as the primary antagonist of the story.
What animal won the war in Rikki Tikki Tavi?
Summary. Analysis. Rikki-tikki-tavi fought a great war in a bungalow in Segowlee. Though other animals offered advice, it was Rikki-tikki-tavi the mongoose—a small, pink-nosed creature somewhere between a cat and a weasel—who single-handedly won the war. His name comes from the sound of his “war-cry.”.
What kind of cat is Rikki Tikki Tavi?
A cat named Rikki-Tikki-Tavi (from his chattering vocalizations) becomes the pet of an Indian family residing in Germany. He becomes friendly with some of the other rats inhabiting their meadow and is warned of the cobras Nag and Nagaina, who are angered by the human family's presence in their territory and fear Rikki as a threat.

Why is Rikki-tikki brave?
Rikki-tikki is brave, but he requires the assistance of Darzee to avoid the trap set by the cobras. This demonstrates the value of civilization, and how it can be brought to an ostensibly uncivilized part of the world. In nature (and “native” India, which is assumed to be the same thing in the story), Darzee is weak and therefore useless, since he cannot defend himself against the strong. But because Rikki-tikki doesn’t try to dominate or eat him, he brings the benefit of an extra pair of eyes to the mongoose’s cause. By protecting everyone, the mongoose allows the “weak” Darzee to contribute to Rikki-tikki’s survival, and thus the survival of everyone in the garden.
Where did Rikki Tikki's mother live?
Since Rikki-tikki’s mother lived in a British house, Rikki-tikki is more open to trusting the British and thus reaping the benefits they provide. That pays off when Rikki-tikki goes from the (civilized) home into the half-wild garden, where Indian “savagery” and the natural world still hold sway.
What is Rikki Tikki's innate curiosity?
Rikki-tikki’s innate curiosity allows him to explore his surroundings and become comfortable with them: checking everything out to see if there’s any threats or dangers he doesn’t know about. Furthermore, when Teddy’s father cautions against abusing the animal’s trust, Kipling seems to be telling the British that they cannot abuse “good” Indians like Rikki-tikki. A partnership is implied: fair treatment and respect in exchange for joining the “benevolent” regime of enlightened British rule.
What does Rikki do in the house?
Rikki-tikki spends the rest of the day roaming the house, exploring and discovering all of the things that the family has to offer. He almost drowns himself in the bathtub, examines Teddy’s father ’s writing desk, and sits in the man’s lap while he works. He sleeps with Teddy, too, though he gets up to look into any noise in the house throughout the night. Teddy’s mother and father look in on them, and Teddy’s mother wonders whether the mongoose will bite the child. Teddy’s father assures her he will do no such thing—and in fact will keep the boy safe if a cobra ever were to come into the nursery.
Where does the egg sit in Rikki Tikki?
The egg sits between Rikki-tikki ’s paws as he engages with Nagaina. She strikes again and again, but he ducks aside every time. He forgets about the egg, however, and Nagaina manages to grab it and make a run for the hole in the earth where she and Nag used to live. The mongoose follows her down into the hole—something no sensible mongoose should do—because he knows that if Nagaina survives, the trouble will only start again.
How does Kipling heighten the drama?
Kipling heightens the drama by letting the reader contemplate a terrible fate for Rikki-tikki. By not showing what happens in the hole, Kipling emphasizes how alone Rikki-tikki is in this final battle: none of his allies are there, and his opponent is cornered with nowhere else to go, making her especially dangerous.
Who ate Darzee the tailorbird?
It fell out of the nest and was eaten by Nag, a cobra living in their garden.
What does Rikki look like?
Rikki looks like a cat, has a head like a weasel, and has red eyes.
What color are Rikki Tikki's eyes?
Rikki-tikki's eyes grew red again, and he danced up to Karait with the peculiar rocking, swaying motion that he had inherited from his family. It looks very funny, but it is so perfectly balanced a gait that you can fly off from it at any angle you please; and in dealing with snakes this is an advantage.
Is Rikki a mongoose?
Rikki, the main character, is described physically in the story. He is a mongoose. Many readers may not know what a mongoose is, so the author includes details so that we can picture Rikki.
