Figurative Language
"He could fluff up his tail till it looked like a bottle brush." What type of figurative language is used in this description?
What is a simile? (Comparing his fluffy tail to a bottle brush using "like").
Kipling describes Nag's hiss as a "horrid cold sound." What mood does this sensory imagery immediately establish for the reader?
What is a tense, ominous, or fearful mood?
"The great God Brahm put his mark upon all our people, when the first cobra spread his hood to keep the sun off Brahm as he slept." What type of allusion is Nag making?
What is a mythological/religious allusion (to Hinduism / Brahma)?
True or False: "Courage" is an acceptable 7th-grade theme statement for Rikki-Tikki-Tavi.
What is False? (A theme must be a complete statement, such as "Courage and loyalty enable the small to protect those they love").
What is the motto of the mongoose family ("Run and find out"), and how does this character trait help develop the story's theme?
What is curiosity drives Rikki to explore and discover threats before they can harm his family?
"The house was as still as still, but he thought he could just catch the faintest scratch-scratch in the world—a noise as faint as that of a wasp walking on a window-pane." Name the device used in "scratch-scratch."
What is onomatopoeia? (Words imitating natural sound).
When Rikki-tikki becomes enraged, Kipling writes that "his eyes grew red and hot" and looked like "hot coals." How does this imagery impact the tone regarding Rikki's character?
What is it shifts the tone from playful/curious to fierce, aggressive, and battle-ready?
Why does Nag include the allusion to Brahm when he first meets Rikki-tikki? What is his purpose?
What is to intimidate Rikki-tikki and establish himself as a divine, powerful creature to be feared?
Which Universal Theme best describes Rikki-tikki’s central fight against Nag and Nagaina?
What is an individual's struggle against threat/danger (or the struggle between good and evil/protection vs. destruction)?
Why does Rikki-tikki refrain from eating a full meal after killing Karait, and how does this choice support his character arc?
What is he knows a full mongoose is slow; it shows his self-discipline and dedication to his duty as a protector?
Nagaina slipped along over the dust and told Darzee's wife, "Indeed and truly, you've chosen a bad place to be lame in." What figurative device or tone element is Nagaina using here?
What is meiosis (or understatement)? (Understating a deadly threat to sound sinister/mocking).
Nagaina is described as gathering herself together "like a watch spring" before striking. What does this simile reveal about her danger as an opponent?
What is it reveals her tension, explosive speed, and coiled power?
Teddy’s father calls Rikki-tikki a "providence" after he kills Karait. What does this term suggest about Rikki's arrival?
What is it suggests Rikki was sent by divine protection or good fortune to save the family?
What complete theme statement can be drawn from the contrast between Rikki-tikki's bravery and Chuchundra the musk-rat's fear?
What is "Living in fear prevents action, whereas bravery and initiative bring security and purpose" (or similar)?
How does the central conflict between the cobras (who want the house empty to rule the garden) and Rikki (who wants to keep the family safe) develop the theme of protection?
What is it shows that selfishness and malice will be defeated by duty and selfless courage?
"The rustle of her tail on the matting sounded like dry leaves blown along by the wind" and "she flew like an arrow down the path." What two similes are used here to describe Nagaina's movement?
What are similes comparing her tail's sound to dry leaves and her speed to an arrow?
"He was battered to and fro as a rat is shaken by a dog... as the body cart-whipped over the floor." How does this figurative language contribute to the passage's meaning during Rikki's fight with Nag?
What is it highlights the violent, chaotic struggle and the immense physical strength of Nag compared to Rikki?
How does the allusion to Brahm contrast with Rikki-tikki's reaction to Nag's spectacle-mark?
What is Nag views the mark as a sacred symbol of power, but Rikki unimpressively notes it just looks like a "hook-and-eye fastening" on clothing?
Which Universal Theme is represented by Darzee's foolish optimism versus his wife's practical actions during the egg destruction?
What is the tension between the ideal (wishing/singing) and the real (taking action to survive)?
What turning point in the story shows Rikki using clever strategy rather than just brute strength to protect Teddy?
What is using Nagaina's last unhatched egg as leverage to distract her away from Teddy on the veranda?
When Rikki-tikki's war cry is described as "Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!" as he scuttled through the grass, which device is being used?
What is onomatopoeia?
Compare these two sound descriptions from the text:
Darzee's song: "sang a song of triumph at the top of his voice."
The Coppersmith bird: "like the beating of a little hammer on a copper pot... like a tiny dinner gong." How do these sound descriptions contrast in their purpose?
What is Darzee's song shows emotional celebration, while the Coppersmith's sound acts as a functional, rhythmic announcement/news broadcast to the garden?
When Rikki-tikki taunts Nagaina about her destroyed eggs, he acts like a triumphant warrior. Darzee later starts singing a "death song" for Rikki when he goes down the snake hole. What cultural concept of hero stories does Darzee's song represent?
What is the hero's epic battle song/lament (commemorating a fallen warrior in legendary folklore)?
State a complete theme statement about duty and loyalty as shown by Rikki-tikki’s actions toward Teddy's family.
What is "True loyalty inspires individuals to face great danger to protect those who care for them" (or similar)?
How does Rikki-tikki's final action—following Nagaina down into her dark rat-hole—complete his development as a hero?
What is it shows he is willing to face ultimate danger in unfamiliar territory to finish his duty completely?