# The Jungle Book — Themes > Major themes in The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling. ## Law and Order The Jungle Book emphasizes the importance of the 'Law of the Jungle,' a code of conduct that governs the behavior of animals, ensuring balance, respect, and survival, as seen in Baloo's teachings and the Pack's adherence to rules. ### Where it surfaces - [Mowgli's Brothers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/mowgli-s-brothers): The Law of the Jungle governs the pack's actions, including the prohibition against eating man and the rules for accepting Mowgli. ## Identity and Belonging Mowgli's struggle between his human origins and his wolf upbringing explores themes of identity and belonging, as he is cast out from the wolf pack and later struggles to fit into human society. ## Survival and Nature The book portrays the harsh realities of survival in the wild, where animals must hunt, avoid predators, and adapt to their environment, as illustrated by Shere Khan's hunting and the jungle's constant threats. ### Where it surfaces - [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/epigraph): The poem highlights the natural cycle of day and night, and the predatory instincts that come alive after dark, underscoring the theme of survival in the wild. - [The Jungle Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/the-jungle-book): Characters like Mowgli, Rikki-Tikki-Tavi, and Kotick must navigate and survive in harsh natural environments, relying on instinct and learned laws. - [Mowgli's Brothers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/mowgli-s-brothers): Mowgli learns to survive in the jungle, hunting and avoiding traps, while the pack's survival depends on strong leadership. - [Tiger! Tiger!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/tiger-tiger): Mowgli adapts to human village life while using his jungle knowledge to survive and plan against Shere Khan. - [The White Seal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/the-white-seal): Kotick's quest to find a safe beach highlights the struggle for survival against natural and human threats. - [Rikki-Tikki-Tavi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/rikki-tikki-tavi): The chapter depicts the harsh realities of the natural world, where mongoose and cobra are natural enemies, and survival depends on cunning, speed, and strength. ## Loyalty and Friendship Loyalty and friendship are central, shown through the bonds between Mowgli and his animal mentors like Baloo, Bagheera, and the wolf family, who protect and teach him despite his differences. ### Where it surfaces - [The Jungle Book](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/the-jungle-book): Mowgli's bond with Baloo and Bagheera, Rikki-Tikki's loyalty to the human family, and Kotick's dedication to his seal herd highlight themes of loyalty. - [Kaa's Hunting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/kaa-s-hunting): Baloo and Bagheera's willingness to risk injury to rescue Mowgli demonstrates deep loyalty and friendship. - [Tiger! Tiger!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/tiger-tiger): Gray Brother and Akela remain loyal to Mowgli, helping him despite his departure from the wolf pack. - [Rikki-Tikki-Tavi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/rikki-tikki-tavi): Rikki-tikki forms a bond with Teddy and his family, protecting them at great personal risk, while Darzee and Chuchundra assist him in his mission. ## Fear and Courage Characters confront fear and demonstrate courage, such as Mowgli's bravery against Shere Khan, Rikki-tikki-tavi's fearless battles with snakes, and the animals' responses to threats like madness or human intervention. ### Where it surfaces - [Kaa's Hunting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/kaa-s-hunting): The characters confront the terrifying power of Kaa's hypnosis, and Mowgli shows courage in thanking Kaa despite his fear. - [The White Seal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/the-white-seal): Kotick shows courage by confronting the old seals and leading them to safety despite the horrors he witnessed. - [Rikki-Tikki-Tavi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/rikki-tikki-tavi): Rikki-tikki overcomes his fear of the larger cobras, fighting valiantly despite being battered and shaken, driven by duty and the honor of his family. - [Her Majesty's Servants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/her-majesty-s-servants): The animals share their fears—camels frightened by dreams, horses stampeding from tales—and contrast them with the courage required in active service, where trust in one's handler is paramount. ## Humanity vs. Wilderness The tension between human civilization and the natural world is explored through Mowgli's transition from the jungle to the village, and the animals' distrust of humans, who bring fire, guns, and disruption. ### Where it surfaces - [Epigraph](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/epigraph): The contrast between the safety of herds in 'byre and hut' and the freedom of wild creatures 'loosed till dawn' illustrates the boundary between human civilization and the untamed jungle. - [Toomai of the Elephants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/toomai-of-the-elephants): The tension between human control (elephant catching, taming) and the wild nature of elephants, culminating in the secret dance. ## Community and Exclusion Themes of community and exclusion appear in the wolf pack's acceptance and later rejection of Mowgli, as well as the outcast status of the Bandar-log (Monkey People), who lack law and structure. ### Where it surfaces - [Mowgli's Brothers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/mowgli-s-brothers): Mowgli is accepted into the pack but later faces exclusion as Shere Khan turns the younger wolves against him. - [Tiger! Tiger!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/tiger-tiger): Mowgli is initially an outsider in the village, but is accepted by Messua; he also feels the tension between his jungle past and human present. - [The White Seal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/the-white-seal): Kotick's white fur sets him apart, but he eventually builds a new community of seals on the safe beach. - [Toomai of the Elephants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/toomai-of-the-elephants): The community of elephant drivers and hunters shares knowledge and legends, but the elephant dance remains an exclusive mystery. ## Wisdom and Learning The importance of learning and wisdom is highlighted through Baloo's teachings of the Jungle Law and Master Words, which equip Mowgli with knowledge to navigate dangers and earn respect. ### Where it surfaces - [Kaa's Hunting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/kaa-s-hunting): Baloo's rigorous teaching of the Law of the Jungle emphasizes the importance of knowledge and discipline for survival. - [Toomai of the Elephants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/toomai-of-the-elephants): Kala Nag's long life and experience embody wisdom, while Little Toomai learns the ways of elephants and the jungle. ## Power and Hierarchy Power dynamics and social hierarchy are evident in the animal kingdom, from Akela's leadership of the wolf pack to Shere Khan's dominance, and the respect commanded by figures like Hathi the elephant. ### Where it surfaces - [Her Majesty's Servants](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_jungle_book_se/chapters/her-majesty-s-servants): The animals discuss the chain of command, from the man who gives orders to the necessity of unquestioning obedience, highlighting the hierarchical structure of military life. 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