Dear Dave Bruce
As one who annotated KIM for the Society's New Readers' Guide, (which see)
may I comment on your email.
I suppose there are parallels in the fact that both works have 3 movements.
In the Divine Comedy we see them as Inferno, Purgatorio, Paradiso. But while
the lama is Virgil, Kim is far too innocent to be Dante, and who fills in
for Beatrice?
As I say in my Introduction, finding parallels are not helpful, and get
in the way of seeing any writer's work in its full clarity. It is not
difficult to find literary influences. I'm sure such may be found in any
work, and the list would be as long as the list of books the author has
read.
I know of a commentator who is able to reduce all literature to the story
of the Passion---one went even so far as to reduce all to the plot of The
Prodigal Son. But to do so is to stretch a point. However, that said, it is
always a fascinating exercise to do so. Why don't you put your thoughts down
on paper. David Page, the Editor of the Kipling Journal would welcome an
article or letter to Ed., from you?
But, it is not for me to speak for him. Do contact him. he is frequently
on line. For myself, any comment on KIM is of interest to me.
With regards and best wishes
Sharad Keskar
>From: Dave Bruce <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: Dave Bruce <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Kim
>Date: Tue, 13 Dec 2005 13:14:23 +0000
>
>It seems to me that Kim was in some unaccountable way influenced by The
>Divine Comedy. Does anyone see that connection or is it just me ?? !!
>Thanks.
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