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Is “Kim” Against Women?
In the beginning of “Kim”, by Rudyard Kipling the reader is introduced to a male dominated world. In this novel, women are seldom mentioned, and when they are, it is not in a flattering way. In the introduction written by Edward Said, he says that in this novel “ women are debased an unsuitable for male attention” (pg 12). This statement id supported any time through out the novel. Although women are not glorified, they are not all portrayed in a negative way. There are a few women who Kim does form attachments to.
Regardless of Kipling’s attitude towards women in “Kim”, it should not be removed from the canon of works. Literature is a way of expression and that should not be limited due to an author’s opinion. There is far more to this book than a few chauvinistic opinions.
As “Kim” starts out, the reader is introduced to the main character, Kim. He is an orphaned English boy. He has adapted to his surroundings in India, and looks like one of the natives. Kim’s mother had died of cholera when he was young. His father, a sergeant in the British Army tried to raise him, but after he became addicted to opium and died, Kim was left to another woman. She too, was addicted to opium. She let Kim roam the streets. He basically had to raise himself. The lack of a mother figure could possibly be the reason behind Kim’s dislike of women.

The story of Kim’s childhood mirrors that of Kipling’s. He was born in India. His father was a teacher. The curator of the Lahore Museum is based on his father. At the age of five he was sent back to England for school. At the boarding school he was badly mistreated. The way he was treated at school affected him for the rest of his life, but like Kim, he went on with life and made the best out of his situation.
Kim’s critical view of women is shown through comments in the book. On page one hundred and twenty, Kim says, “Women do not think of anything, save children.”...