Kipling probably saw a future of India where Britishers kept ruling. It picturizes a society which has accustomed itself to an assimilation of foreigners controlling the society of natives. It does not claim it to be smooth or peaceful, but rather something that is still in the process of settling. However, it does not consider India as an antagonist to be tamed under the superior civilization of British. It embraces India for all its complexity and a character vastly different than England. The author displays his enthusiasm in observing and showcasing all the multitude of textures, sensations and gradients that Indian society has to offer by its sheer scale and enormity. From the people to the places, the author has diligently observed and registered these allures of India that would culturally shock and sensationalise India for foreigners. Through the character of Kim, a nativized child of foreigners, it presents British ethnicity subsumed in the already meshed up fabric of Indian society. Indian society has put its colors and characters on Kim, so much so that you would not be able to figure out that he is next generation of foreign race settled in India. Plus he is shown as a poor English. His nondescript, destitute existence perfectly blends with the majority of humble India of those times. And the very reason India accepts Kim's orphaned existence under its smorgasbord of life. Even in this theme of India accepting British imperialism as its inseparable history going forward, Kim's natural street-smartness and sense of loyalty to his benefactors is also shown as an instrument of success and moving up in life. He joins "The Great Game" of espionage where native Indians are serving as relayers of intelligence for British controlling any sort of resistance or mutiny from Indian factions. Kim's troubled origins has also hardened him to the cruelty, suffering and indifference that people are capable of inflicting on each other in order to survive. For a young child living on the streets and who grew up seeing secret messages being passed under the cover of darkness, we see Kim witnessing horrifying actions while growing up in this backdrop. But Kim sees his own capacity to accept the dangerous rules and even outmanoeuvre the players of the Game. He is curious and he learns. He enjoys the thrill and sense of service to those who employ him. And it is the British rule that creates this opportunity and promise of his upliftment. He goes on to become an emerging, proficient spy for the Britishers.

What bugs me is Kim's character-relationship with the counterpart in the story, a Buddhist lama whom Kim accompanies in his philosophical "Search" on the "Way" towards a "River" of enlightenment. This journey is supposed to deliver the lama from all the worldliness that his philosophy has made him aware and ready to be rid of. He is pretty much disillusioned as typical Buddhist monks are (or working towards to be). Kim's chance encounter with this lama is also perceived as a favorable outcome of providence/universe by the lama in facilitating his search. Kim finds another object for applying his natural loyalty. The lama almost  becomes a father figure for Kim. Apart from taking support from him, he facilitates Kim's education in making him a true British "Sahib". However, there is something lacking in the contrast between the lama who is trying to dissociate from all the worldly routines and systems, and Kim who appreciates and relishes in the all the textures of Indian life that he witnesses around him as per my reading. Opposites attract and what not. But there is still a missing gap in this strange connection that forms between these two travelers. Kim follows the lama in his search across India. However, there's no serious communication or events that explain how Kim's attachment develops for person who is completely different in his outlook and pursuit of life from Kim. One would expect lama's philosophy to renounce the material connections to be the prime appealing factor. But Kim is too young and excited to find this radical perspective appealing. I could only interpret his devotion to the lama as a substitution for a parent that Kim never grew up with. Kim also finds a purpose in protecting the lama from the harshness and practical difficulties that he is bound to find himself in. And that's not ill-used or a hollow trope here. The piecing together of this interesting relationship feels less impressive than it could from reading the text. Even in the adventures they undergo together while on lama's Search and Kim's secret missions from the Great Game, it appears as if they are sticking together for no reason except for the fact that they are two loners who found each other by chance. It is of course heart-warming and admirable in Kim who develops this connection. It makes his life more fulfilling and promising as we see him growing up. Kim will not just survive but foster in the chaotic, vibrant India which he seems to love and call his homeland. Having said that, the weak parts of the story are difficult to ignore. The pan-India adventures that Kim and the lama undergo are not exciting enough. The "secret agent" hooks have underdeveloped mystery and thrill. And the main promising part of the evolution of Kim's character exclusively through his contact with lama is not nurtured enough, while clearly being the locus of all movement. All these shortcomings sadly left me unfulfilled.