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About this quote

What does it mean?
Kipling toasts an African soldier, praising his fighting skill while noting his religious difference and colonial status.
In plain terms
This Fuzzy-Wuzzy fighter is great at fighting, even though he is not Christian.
What can you take from it?
Respect can be given to enemies for their skill even when other differences exist.

Where it applies

  • war narrative
  • colonial context
  • enemy acknowledgment

Putting it to work

  • narrative writing
  • historical analysis
  • poetry

Questions to consider

  • Can you respect an enemy without agreeing with them?
  • How does colonialism affect respect?

Another view

The respect is undercut by colonial condescension and religious prejudice.

More from Rudyard Kipling

  1. For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' 'Chuck him out, the brute!' But it's 'Saviour of 'is country' when the guns begin to shoot.

    Permalink to quote #24
  2. For you all love the screw-guns the screw-guns they all love you! So when we take tea with a few guns, o' course you will know what to do - hoo! hoo! Jest send…

    Permalink to quote #26
  3. We aren't no thin red 'eroes, nor we aren't no blackguards too, But single men in barricks, most remarkable like you; An' if sometimes our conduck isn't all yo…

    Permalink to quote #23

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