Necklaces (Symbols)
At the beginning of the novel, Kim's guardian (the woman who runs the opium den) fashions a sachet of identification papers for the protagonist to wear around his neck. This necklace serves as a kind of amulet, and it comes in handy when Kim meets Reverend Bennett and Father Victor. Although the two chaplains do not believe Kim's claims, they are later able to verify its authenticity due to the information the protagonist carries in his sachet.
The second necklace that Kim wears is given to him by the Babu. Although it looks like cheap silver, its symbol proves that Kim is a part of the British Secret Service. The power of this necklace is swiftly proven—on the train, Kim encounters another spy wearing the same necklace (Agent E.23) who helps him escape a dangerous situation.
All in all, both of Kim's necklaces serve as means of identification. The first "necklace" demonstrates that, despite his rugged appearance and ability to speak Urdu, Kim is British. The second necklace comes to replace the first. While Kim was once marked by being an orphan, he now has a new familial network—the Empire.
Horses (Motif)
Horses appear and reappear throughout Kim. Mahbub Ali, who Kim knows from Lahore and who serves as his first contact in the world of espionage, works as a horse trader throughout the country. In this vein, horses signify a nomadism that Mahbub Ali can leverage as a seasoned traveler and spy. The motif of the horse, in this context, intersects with the realm of espionage—it reflects themes of mobility, self-sufficiency, and the ability to navigate different terrains.
Horses also appear when Kim visits his father's former regiment. The British officers and soldiers ride high-quality horses, emphasizing their status and power. The motif of horses, in this case, becomes a marker of colonial authority, reinforcing the hierarchical structure between the colonizers and the colonized. The horses used by the British also represent the technological and military superiority of the colonial power, symbolizing how advanced weaponry and transportation contributed to imperial dominance.
The Red Bull on the Green Field (Symbol)
The red bull on a green field is the design on Kim's father's regimental flag. Kim's guardian, the woman who runs the opium den, is convinced that this prophecy is a mystical symbol. Although to a certain extent the image is mystical, it also has a more practical application—Kim has the regiment's support, and although he is orphaned, he's never truly alone.
The symbol is also somewhat cryptic, thus underscoring the role of espionage in the novel and foreshadowing Kim's future involvement in the Great Game. The red bull can be seen as a symbol of strength, power, and aggression. The green field, on the other hand, may represent the fertile and open landscape of India. India is rich in natural resources and various goods that brought about economic prosperity during British colonization of the territory. Together, the symbol encapsulates the nature of the Great Game and the strategic maneuvering in the geopolitical arena.
Sleep (Motif)
Sleep is a recurring motif in Kim. Mahbub Ali falls asleep drunkenly after telling Kim to deliver the encrypted letter to Colonel Creighton. From afar, Kim witnesses as Mahbub Ali's body is searched for the letter while he is unconscious. In this way, Kim understands that working as a spy is dangerous and that you must always keep "one eye open."
Sleep reappears at Lurgan Sahib's house, where Kim is "unofficially" trained for his future career as a spy. In the home, which is filled with strange objects and knick-knacks collected on Lurgan's travels, Kim is challenged to spend the night in order to assess his bravery. Kim's sleep is particularly disturbed by the sounds of an instrument, and he must figure out a way to stop its ominous echoes. Ultimately, he passes Lurgan's tests.
Finally, sleep is the integral element that crystallizes the novel's conclusion. Kim, completely exhausted and depleted by his encounter with the European men, returns to the Kulu woman's house to sleep for 36 hours. During the time that Kim is resting, the lama meditates and is successfully led to the River of the Arrow. Upon his arrival at the River of the Arrow, the lama realizes that he doesn't need to compromise his friendship with Kim to achieve enlightenment. In this context, sleep is a restorative and transformative action that allows for characters to grow, change, and arrive at a moment of resolution.
The Search for the River of the Arrow (Allegory)
In the search for the River of the Arrow, the lama (and Kim, by default) embark on an allegorical journey. The two are on a quest to better understand themselves & one another and to achieve their respective senses of enlightenment. However, the catch is that there is no real, specific River of the Arrow—rather, the river represents the arrival point for the lama's personal enlightenment journey.
By the novel's conclusion, we discover that the River of the Arrow is identified as a brook near the Kulu woman's house. The lama encounters this body of water while Kim sleeps, and it represents a "full-circle moment" after a series of dramatic, tumultuous events. All in all, the journey to the River of the Arrow is an allegory that represents religious and spiritual achievements.
