Editor's Choice
What does "brother a to Prince and fellow to a beggar if he be found worthy" mean in Kipling's "The Man Who Would Be King"? Is it related to Masonic brotherhood?
Quick answer:
The phrase "brother to a prince and fellow to a beggar if he be found worthy" in Kipling's "The Man Who Would Be King" reflects Masonic principles. It emphasizes treating individuals equally, regardless of their social status, as long as they are virtuous. Kipling, influenced by Freemasonry, uses this concept to critique class distinctions and imperialism through the story of Dravot and Carnehan, who violate Masonic principles by deceiving and exploiting others.
Rudyard Kipling, whose father was a Freemason, became a Freemason and Lodge
Secretary in Punjab, India. Freemasonry very much affected Kipling, as he
valued its "idea of secret bond, of a sense of community, and of high
principles" ("Rudyard Kipling and His Masonic Career," Pietre Stones Review
of Freemasonry). Within Freemasonry, social class and caste
systems do not exist, an idea that deeply moved Kipling. Therefore,
principles of Freemasonry are often themes in his works. Kipling opens his
novella "The Man Who Would Be King" with the statement, "Brother to a prince
and fellow to a beggar if he be found worthy," which alludes to Masonic
principles.
The statement, or "Law," as Kipling's narrator calls it, reflects
Masonic principles by speaking of treating those who are highest above you, such as princes, as brothers and those who are the greatest in need, such as...
Unlock
This Answer NowStart your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
beggars, as your fellows or companions so long as the beggars are virtuous. In referencing the two greatest extremes of the social class system—the prince being a member of the highest class, whereas the beggar is a member of the lowest class—Kipling is referencing theMasonic disbelief in class
distinctions.
In his opening paragraph, Kipling further asserts that the "Law" he opens with
is not easy to follow. He has not yet been able to follow it because he never
had the opportunity to "be brother to a Prince," and, though he has been
"fellow to a beggar" multiple times, he has never been able to find out if the
beggar was really worthy of fellowship. He goes on to recount the story of his
encounter with two fellow Freemasons who were vagabonds,
Daniel Dravot and Peachy Carnehan. Through the encounter with Dravot and
Carnehan, Kipling weaves Masonic and anti-imperialistic themes together.
Kipling uses the story of Dravot and Carnegan to question their
worthiness as Freemasons because they tricked Afghanistan natives, who
practiced Freemasonry, into believing Dravot was the "Grand-Master of all
Freemasonry in Kafiristan" and to set Dravot up as reigning equally
with Carnehan as King of Kafiristan. By doing these things, they broke the
principles of Freemasonry because they lied and declared themselves to be above
others. In addition, as imperialists, they took advantage of the natives'
so-called "lesser intelligence," but, by the end of the story, they received
their just desserts. Kipling uses the story of breaking Masonic codes of
behavior by treating colonists as subordinates to show the wrongfulness
of imperialism.
References