Rudyard Kipling - 'The Jungle Book' Questions for Study and Discussions

The Jungle Book is a collection of short stories by ​​Rudyard Kipling that has animals as main characters who teach life lessons. One of the famous characters in the fable is Mowgli, a human child who grows up with a pack ​of wolves. 

Here are a few questions for study and discussion.

Study and Discussion Questions

• What is important about the title of the collection?
• What are the conflicts in The Jungle Book? What types of conflict (physical, moral, intellectual, or emotional) did you notice in this collection?
• How does Rudyard Kipling reveal character in the stories of The Jungle Book?
• What are some themes? How do they relate to the plots and characters?
• What are some symbols in the stories of The Jungle Book? How do they relate to the plots and characters?
• Are the characters consistent in their actions? Which of the characters are fully developed? How? Why?
• Do you find the characters likable? Would you want to meet any of the characters? Which one(s)? Why?
• How does Mowgli's upbringing affect how his character develops as a human being?
• Do the stories in this collection meet (or exceed) your expectations? How? Why?
• What is the central/primary purpose of this collection of stories? Is the purpose important or meaningful?
• How essential is the setting to the stories? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?
• How important is friendship and/or camaraderie to The Jungle Book?
• Compare/contrast The Jungle Book with other works by Rudyard Kipling? How does ​The Jungle Book fit into Kipling's body of works?
• Would you recommend The Jungle Book to a friend?