The Jungle Book
Lisa Draper
24” x 24”
Mixed Media
For Purchase inquiries, Contact lisa@draperfineart.com
The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling
“For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” ~The Jungle Book, Rudyard Kipling
History
The Jungle Book is a collection of stories, with a few principle characters weaving throughout. It is set in the jungles of India, the most commonly cited real location is “Seonee” (Seoni) which is in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
Kipling lived the first 6 years of his life in India, and much of his fascination with the country and wildlife came from that experience. As was customary during that time, he and his sister spent many years of their childhood at a boarding school in Britain, only leaving to visit their aunt and uncle during the holidays. Kipling remembers that time with horror, stating that the neglect and abuse was extreme. Their mother eventually learned of the abuse and removed them, 6 years into their stay.
Asked why he didn’t share his experiences earlier, Kipling stated “Children tell little more than animals, for what comes to them they accept as eternally established. Also, badly-treated children have a clear notion of what they are likely to get if they betray the secrets of a prison-house before they are clear of it.” It is widely believed that Kipling’s writings, which often surround the topics of abandonment, fostering, bullying, misfits, and triumph, draw on these experiences.
The Jungle Book has been influential in scouting due to scouting’s founder, Robert Baden-Powell, being a friend of Kipling’s.
Artist Statement
I love the tales of love, friendship, and triumph over evil told in The Jungle Book. To me, the stories can be seen in 2 ways:
1. Me as the hero, overcoming external villains, befriending a wide array of helpers, and learning important skills.
2. At a deeper level, I see this collection of tales as a narrative of my own battle between light and darkness within myself. The hero is, in this case, the most current version of myself - battling to learn, grow, and discern what path is the best for me. Jungle friends then become internal strengths; enemies weaknesses. Fire both a cleansing and destructive power, free for individual interpretation. Sometimes I feel external struggles are my fire. Sometimes they are moments of mental illness or mental clarity - a battle of the mind that can bring both good and bad.
Who are the helpers in your life? What are they helping you to overcome?
What are your greatest strengths? Greatest weaknesses?
Which are you giving more power and attention to right now?
Is that the right balance? Is it helping you grow?
What would happen if you changed that balance, and paid attention to the opposite?