Nature as the Savior of Humanity in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book

Page No. : 27-31

Abstract

Nature has often been represented in literature as both a nurturing mother and a powerful force capable of sustaining human life. In Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (1894), nature is not portrayed as an enemy of humanity but as a protective and life-giving force that guides, educates, and saves human beings. Through the character of Mowgli, a human child raised by wolves, Kipling demonstrates the intimate relationship between humans and the natural world. This paper examines The Jungle Book through the lens of environmentalism and ecocriticism, arguing that nature functions as a saviour by providing shelter, moral education, physical protection, and ecological wisdom. The novel challenges anthropocentric assumptions by presenting the jungle as a harmonious ecosystem in which humans can survive only when they respect natural laws. The study concludes that Kipling's work offers an early environmental message emphasizing coexistence, interdependence, and ecological responsibility.