Student Question
How is Darzee's wife similar to Nagaina in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"?
Quick answer:
Darzee's wife and Nagaina are similar in their protective instincts and intelligence. Both recognize threats to their families and are willing to eliminate them. Nagaina plans to kill the humans to remove Rikki-Tikki, a mongoose, while Darzee's wife distracts Nagaina to allow Rikki-Tikki to destroy cobra eggs. They both employ cunning and strategy to protect their families, showcasing their intelligence and determination.
Darzee and Nagaina are similar in the fact that they both recognize a threat to their family, and they are prepared to kill innocents to keep their family safe.
Nagaina is afraid of Rikk-tikki. She knows he is a natural predator to snakes. She knows her eggs are in danger as long as Rikki-tikki is around, so she comes up with a plan to get rid of Rikki-tikki. She and Nag will kill the humans. She knows that once the humans are gone from the house, Rikki-tikki is not likely to stay there.
"But are you sure that there is anything to be gained by killing the people?" said Nag.
"Everything. When there were no people in the bungalow, did we have any mongoose in the garden? So long as the bungalow is empty, we are king and queen of the garden."
Darzee's wife has the exact same attitude. She knows cobras are a threat to her and her eggs. She also knows a bunch of baby cobras is even more dangerous. That's why she has no problem with distracting Nagaina. While Darzee's wife fakes having a broken wing, Rikki-tikki is able to sneak over to Nagaina's nest and destroy most of the eggs. Darzee's wife has no problem with helping kill a bunch of baby snakes because it will protect her family.
How are Nagaina and Darzee's wife similar in "Rikki-Tikki-Tavi"?
Unlike her husband Nag, Nagaina is not quite as powerful but she tends to be the more intelligent one of the two. She is the one who comes up with the schemes that Nag attempts to carry out. She also looked to use trickery and surprise to her advantage, such as when Rikki Tikki meets Nag for the first time and she attempted to strike him from behind.
So too Darzee's wife was really the smartest one of the pair. Darzee tended to be unable to focus on more than one thing at a time and was not capable of planning or trickery. She, on the other hand, knew when she needed to act and was quick to help Rikki Tikki when he needed it.
So though the words are slightly different when Nagaina is said to be intelligent and Darzee's wife is described as "sensible," these qualities are what make them similar.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.