Rudyard Kipling Research Paper

People all over the world believe the old saying “seeing is believing” and while it may hold true for many, Rudyard Kipling’s spiritual upbringing taught him otherwise. With a great deal of his youth spent in a church, Kipling learned firsthand what exactly faith meant by watching his parents serve others. He was also able to benefit from a very tight knit family, which provided him with the love and nurturing every child craves and to some extent needs. This dynamic family Kipling had, along with “his exposure to the world of art, philosophy, and politics” (Brackett) made him into an extraordinary person the world came to know and love. In his poems “The Song of the Sons” and “The Legend of Mirth”, Rudyard Kipling uses the love he has

Without the influence his parents provided him, Kipling would have been a much different person, he became a true, well-rounded individual. Kipling feels as though a higher power, being God of course, was always “guiding and guarding with devoted mind the tedious generations of mankind” (Kipling 30-31). Just as Jesus guides and guards his followers, being Protestant priests, Kipling’s parents guided him to a life he would be proud of which would pay dividends. There is a very similar story in the Bible where the Good Shepherd guides and guards his flock of sheep as the Father protects the people of His holy land. His parents knew from their background of priesthood how important helping others and putting aside personal wants and needs was; therefore, they instilled the art of giving back in him. Kipling’s parents taught their son that as long as he should live, he needs to praise God for all that he had, because he needs to pay his respects and give to others in order to benefit the less fortunate. Part of Kipling’s maturation process was being “deeply imbued with his own family background” (Wilson). This meant for Rudyard to be skilled and proficient in many different fields and subjects. In order to provide for a better life and education, Kipling’s mother sent Rudyard overseas for a few years to a boarding school in England in order to help

Unfortunately, the many great experiences Kipling had from “living in India for the first six years of his life” (Malcolm) ended almost as fast as they began by moving to England. Kipling had so many fond memories of his life prior to leaving India, therefore upon his return, felt at peace with himself once again. The feeling of being somewhere you truly love and have such a strong connection with is like none other. Kipling had such a passion to live in India and his home before the move to boarding school, when he got back nothing had changed. Rudyard learned at a young age how precious every moment is with and being around things and people they love. While he was growing up, he lived in the present and thought about the “gifts have we only to-day” and to “love without promise or fee” (Kipling 11). Kipling understands that he cannot take anything for granted after seeing how leaving his home in India the first time affected him. He realizes that the statement “home is where the heart is” holds true for him because when he is not at home he is unhappy and constantly wished he was back at home. Home is where almost everyone make some of their most fond memories and where they feel the most comfortable being who they are and want to be, it is no surprise that Kipling would feel this way, especially being