The Jungle Book Comparison Essay

Most people are familiar with Rudyard Kipling's “The Jungle Book” to some degree. There are those who have read the full text, those who have read excerpts, and those who have seen one of the various screen adaptations based on the work. At the very least people are familiar with the story of Mowgli, which is by far the most popular; it is also one that most people can recite with little to no thought: boy is found by wolves, boy is raised by wolves while hanging out with a panther and a bear, evil tiger tries to kill boy, boy goes to live in the village of men – simple, straightforward, it really is a story we've heard in many incarnations. Unfortunately, most people’s interpretation of the story is so influenced by the Disney treatment that the most popular adaptation gave it, that our understanding of the story is tainted. Commonly,
The way things were was the way they should have been, but by the time the sacrifice had been made, it was too late to go back. When Mother and Father Wolf “seized” young Mowgli from the jaws of Shere Khan, and their decision to keep him was backed by the wolf council, the fate of the pack was altered forever. Although they asked Akela to lead again after Khan’s death, and free them of the lawlessness they enjoyed as a result of the splintering of factions, it could not be put back together. As Bagheera put it, “Nay, that may not be. When ye are full-fed, the madness may come upon you again. Not for nothing are ye called the Free People. Ye fought for freedom, and it is yours. Eat it, O Wolves.”