Literary Elements and Devices in Rikki Tikki Tavi

1. Literary Elements and Devices in Rikki Tikki Tavi

2. Learning objectives: • Analyze elements of the plot in the story you read, “Rikki-tikki-tavi” • Conflict • Characters & characterization • Theme • Symbolism • Figurative language • Foreshadowing & suspense

3. Literary Elements

4. Summarize the Story- 2 Strategies • Somebody • Wanted • But • So ICER • Introduction of setting/characters • Conflict • Events • Resolution

5. Conflict • Types of Conflict • Man vs. Man • Rikki Tikki Vs. Nag; Rikki Vs. Karait; Rikki vs. Karait • Man vs. Nature • Rikki vs. flood • Man vs. Society • Rikki vs. fear of having the mongoose around Teddy (Alice) • Man vs. Self • Rikki was a young a mongoose without much experience. He struggled in the beginning with insecurity about fighting the cobras.

6. Conflict • What is the primary conflict in this story? • The cobras want to regain control and superiority in the garden and plan to do so by killing the family and then Rikki. Rikki wants to protect himself and the family by killing the snakes. • What type is this? • Man vs. Man (or rather Creature vs. Creature)

7. Characters • Who is the protagonist, the main character? • Rikki-tikki-tavi • How would you describe him? • Brave – conflict with Karait, Nag, Nagaina • Smart – the plan with Darzee to get the eggs • Curious – nightly walk around th e house • Friendly – met the animals in the garden and and worked with them friendly and loyal to the family

8. Characters • Who is the antagonist? Who opposes the protagonist? • Nag/Nagaina • How are they described in the story? • Evil - terrorize the garden • Dangerous – threaten Rikki & family • For interfering • Protective (of each other and eggs) • Sneaky – hatch a plan to kill the family sneaks up on Rikki

9. Minor Characters • The Family • Teddy • The Big Man • Teddy’s Mother) • Rikki’s Friends • Darzee (flat) • Darzee’s Wife (flat) • Chuchundra (flat) courage of Rikki and contrasted that with the cowardice of Chuchundra the muskrat

10. Theme • A theme is the main idea or message conveyed by the piece • What some topics related to the central ideas of the story? • Courage – The story emphasized the courage of Rikki facing the cobras. • Teamwork– Rikki conquers the cobras with help from his friends in the garden. • Survival – Survival is the motivating factor behind the actions of all characters involved. Even the cobras killed only for food and to protect their way of life.

11. Theme • Was there a lesson or moral to be learned? • Courage will help you overcome obstacles. • In order to survive and navigate the obstacles of life, we may need to cooperate with others .

12. Symbolism • Symbolism is the use of specific objects or images to represent abstract ideas • For example, in “Rikki-tikki-tavi”, Rikki’s “red and hot” eyes represent his anger

13. Common Symbols in Literature • Good VS. Evil • Garden symbolizes good. • The cobras symbolize evil.

14. Figurative Language • Descriptive language that is not meant to be taken literally, but to create imagery • Metaphor – direct comparison of unrelated subjects • Equates two ideas despite their differences • “I am death”“He sat stone still.” • Simile – uses words such as “like” or “as” to compare ideas • Allows two ideas to remain distinct in spite of their similarities • “…balancing to and fro exactly as a dandelion tuft balances in the wind.” • “She flew like an arrow down the path.”

15. Personification • Type of figurative language that describes something which isn’t human as having human qualities • “Fear knocked on the door. Faith answered. There was no one there.” – English proverb • Anthropomorphism is a literary device that takes this idea a little bit further, giving uniquely human characteristics to non-humans • “Rikki-tikki-tavi” is based entirely on this device. • The animals all talk, plan, and are even implicated as being good or evil

16. Foreshadowing • Foreshadowing occurs when future events in a story are suggested by the author before they actually happened. • For example, in “Rikki-tikki-tavi”: • "He'll do no such thing," said the father. "Teddy's safer with that little beast than if he had a bloodhound to watch him. If a snake came into the nursery now--" • The statement by the father foreshadows the conflict with Nag and Nagaina that occurs later in the story

17. Foreshadowing- hints or clues about what will happen next What clues did the author give that foreshadows Rikki Tikki’s eventual victory? • Opening line of the story • Nag’s being afraid of of Rikki • Rikki’s enjoyment of fighting • Rikki’s self confidence • Rikki’s conflict with Nag/Nagaina • Rikki killing Nag • Rikki Vs. Karait

18. Mood/Suspense • Mood refers to the general sense or feeling the reader is supposed to get from the text. • What kind of mood do you sense in the story? • The bulk of the story is suspenseful as the conflict develops, but the end delivers relief and joy as the garden and the family celebrate the end of Nag and Nagaina How did the author build suspense?

19. The conflicts in the story combined with the details leave the reader anxious and guessing. • Lines 111-1112 ( movement of the grass) • Lines 116 (Darzee’s frantic cry) • Lines 118-119 (description of Nagaina’s head; “savage hiss” • Lines 121 -124 – describe Rikki as inexperienced & not knowing how to kill a cobra

20. Questions? This a review of literary elements for the midterm and the TDW Quiz tomorrow

21. Exit Ticket • Before you leave, respond to the following prompt on a sheet of notebook paper. • Rate your understanding of today’s lesson out or 4 (4 meaning you totally got it) . Explain the reason for your rating.