In this essay, the impact of names is examined, specifically in regards to the character Kim in the novel of the same name by Rudyard Kipling.

ERH-321WX Reading Essay #2
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Signature: Nathaniel Breier

Early in Kim, Kim is known as “Friend of All the World” as well as “Friend of All the Stars”. These names refer to both those he associates with, as well as the knowledge that he is able to glean from moving between different social groups, as well as his associates. Both of these abilities stand in contrast to many of the Sahibs in the novel, many of whom express a mix of surprise, shock and unease when Kim displays them. This serves to demonstrate just some of the boundaries that Europeans operate within while in India, despite being considered its masters.
Kim’s first name, Friend of All the World, can be seen as a reference to his many associates, or as to how he associates with a variety of characters of various origins. He notably demonstrates this in Chapter 6 while dealing with the scribe and the drummer boy. While the scribe expects him to be a typical European and offhandedly insults him, Kim responds in kind, earning his amazement and respect.
This stands in stark contrast to how most Indians interact with Europeans. A good example would the drummer boy in charge of watching him, who is wholly unable to understand what they are discussing or even to comprehend why Kim would want to talking to “that nigger”. Moreover, while “nigger” seems to be the only word the drummer boy seems to be able to use when referring to the natives, they “called him abominable names to his face, and, misled by their differential attitude, he never understood them” (pg. 92, Kim). This is of some consolation to Kim during his travel to the school. It is also indicative of many Europeans towards the natives in general – a mixture of condescending, dismissive and insulting, all the while not being aware that those same natives gained some satisfaction by being able to insult them right back, often in a far more creative way and without any fear of reprisal.
His second name, Friend of All the Stars, is directly connected to this ability, especially in his ability to interact with and understand different groups. Kim gains the name after discussing information about the British Army with the old soldier while he is on the road with the lama towards the start of the novel, information gained from his interactions with Mahbud Ali and his listening in on Creighton when he receives the message from Mr. Ali. This later serves to astound the British when they first officially meet Kim in the camp, which demonstrates another boundary that many Europeans operate under. Despite their being the nominal masters of India, they are unable to gain and then control the information that Kim comes across through his associates.
Moreover, Kim is not limited to just informational knowledge. He is able to use his understanding and insight into different groups to identify men as a threat and keep track of them at least twice while with Mahbud Ali. The first is when he is staying with Mr. Ali towards the start of the novel and observes the man going through Mr. Ali’s possessions seeking information. Later in the novel, he is able to warn Mr. Ali of a threat of two would be assassins, again demonstrating the information and knowledge is able to gain from living on the streets. It would be highly dubious if one of the students of St. Xaviers would have been able to react correctly to either incident.
Thus, both of Kim’s nicknames refer to his ability to associate with many groups of many differences, as well as his ability to glean information based on his experiences dealing with these groups. He is then able to utilize this information to instigate actions, rather than react to it. This is in contrast to the Europeans, some of whom merely react, such as the Regiment reacting to the news that Kim indirectly provided to them, or, even worse, are powerless all together, such as the students at St. Xaviers or the drummer boy.