Narrative Summary of The Ivory Child

Overview:

This tale is a first-person account of Allan Quatermain’s journey into the heart of Africa in search of a tribe called the Kendah. I am drawn into this adventure when I meet Lord Ragnall, a man whose wife disappeared under mysterious circumstances. My skills as a hunter and knowledge of Africa are sought by the Kendah, a tribe worshipping a child-fetish, to defeat their enemy, a giant elephant god called Jana. The story unfolds as we travel through Zululand, meet up with old friends, and eventually encounter the Kendah and their war with the elephant god.

Main Parts:

Shooting at Ragnall: The story begins with a chance encounter between Quatermain and Lord Ragnall at his estate, where Quatermain’s exceptional marksmanship is revealed.
The Arrival of Harût and Marût: During a gathering at Ragnall’s castle, two mysterious Eastern men, Harût and Marût, appear claiming they need Quatermain’s help to defeat an evil elephant god.
The Quest for the Ivory Child: Intrigued by the tale of the Kendah and their elephant god, Quatermain sets off on a journey to the heart of Africa with Lord Ragnall.
The Battle for Kendahland: Quatermain and Ragnall face the Black Kendah, the enemy of the White Kendah, in a fierce battle against Jana, the elephant god.
The Sanctuary of the Ivory Child: The story culminates in a desperate battle for the Holy Mount, where the White Kendah protect their child-fetish, guarded by a giant snake.

View on Life:

Quatermain: A pragmatist and seasoned hunter, Quatermain views life as a series of adventures with inherent risks. He values honor, honesty, and friendship above all else, but accepts the reality of hardship and loss.
Lord Ragnall: Despite his privilege and noble lineage, Ragnall feels disillusioned with the mundane life of English society. He seeks adventure and is driven by an unwavering devotion to his wife, even in the face of extraordinary adversity.
Harût and Marût: The White Kendah priests are devoted to their ancient beliefs and the protection of their Ivory Child. They seem to believe in a mystical power that transcends the physical world, yet are willing to engage in earthly battles for its preservation.
Hans: Despite his flaws, Hans embodies unwavering loyalty to his master, Quatermain. He exhibits incredible cunning and courage, but remains grounded in his simple faith and appreciation for the natural world.

Scenarios:

The Pheasant Shoot: Quatermain demonstrates his extraordinary marksmanship by challenging Lord Ragnall at a grand shooting event, inadvertently revealing his skills to the conniving Sir Junius Fortescue.
The Arrival of Harût and Marût: Two mysterious Eastern men, Harût and Marût, arrive at Ragnall’s castle seeking Quatermain, revealing a world beyond the mundane and setting in motion a life-altering adventure.
The Abduction Attempt: Harût and Marût attempt to abduct Miss Holmes, later Lady Ragnall, from the castle under the influence of a drug.
The Elephant Cemetery: Quatermain witnesses a haunting vision of a graveyard of elephants, culminating in a terrifying encounter with Jana, the elephant god.
The Rescue of Lady Ragnall: Quatermain and Ragnall arrive in Kendahland, a country where they find the tribe at war with the elephant god, and discover that Lady Ragnall is being held captive on the Holy Mount.

Challenges:

The Gold Mine: Quatermain faces a difficult financial situation after losing his investment in a gold mine, forcing him to return to his profession as a hunter.
The Desert Journey: The journey to Kendahland is fraught with challenges, including disease, hostile natives, and the unforgiving desert.
The Battle with the Black Kendah: The White Kendah are outnumbered by their Black Kendah enemies, demanding Quatermain and his companions to fight for their survival.
The Snake Guardian: Quatermain and his companions face a terrifying encounter with a giant serpent, the guardian of the Ivory Child, resulting in the tragic death of Savage.

Conflict:

The Conflict Between the White and Black Kendah: The two tribes are engaged in a long-standing war, fueled by differing beliefs and ideologies. The White Kendah, worshipping a child-fetish, fear the power of the Black Kendah’s elephant god, Jana.
The Conflict Between Man and Nature: Quatermain faces the ultimate challenge of battling a giant elephant god, symbolizing the power and unpredictability of the natural world.
The Conflict Between Civilization and the Primitive: Lord Ragnall is torn between his life of privilege and the call of adventure, a conflict that mirrors the clash between the White Kendah’s sophisticated society and the barbarity of the Black Kendah.

Plot:

The story follows a non-linear plot, beginning with Quatermain’s encounter with Lord Ragnall and his involvement in a shooting competition. This chance meeting leads Quatermain to Kendahland, where he becomes entangled in a conflict between two tribes, a tribe worshipping a child-fetish and another worshipping an elephant god. Quatermain is tasked with defeating the elephant god, Jana, to save the White Kendah and find Lady Ragnall, who has been taken by the tribe. Their journey is fraught with dangers, including a giant snake guarding the sanctuary of the Ivory Child. The narrative culminates in a desperate battle where Quatermain’s skill as a hunter is tested against a powerful foe, revealing a world where ancient beliefs and powerful forces intertwine.

Point of view:

The story is written from the first-person perspective of Allan Quatermain, a hunter with extensive experience in Africa. His point of view provides a unique and compelling lens to explore the strange and fantastical world of the Kendah, their beliefs, and their struggles. Quatermain’s observations and reflections add depth and credibility to the story, making it a captivating and insightful narrative.

How It’s written:

The story is written in a conversational, straightforward style that captures the voice of a seasoned adventurer. Quatermain’s descriptions are vivid and evocative, transporting the reader to the heart of Africa. For example, in describing the elephant cemetery, he uses strong imagery to create a sense of foreboding and mystery: “There they lay, some of them almost covered with grey mosses hanging to their bones, through which their yellow tusks projected as though they had been dead for centuries; others with the rotting hide still on them.”

Tone:

The tone of the story is a mixture of adventure, suspense, and a sense of wonder. While the narrative is filled with action and suspense, Quatermain’s voice conveys a deep sense of respect for the natural world and the diverse cultures he encounters. The story is also tinged with a subtle sense of melancholy, as Quatermain reflects on the losses and challenges he has faced in his life.

Life choices:

Quatermain: Quatermain chooses to accept the challenge of helping the White Kendah, even though it is a dangerous and complex task. He chooses to confront the elephant god Jana, driven by a sense of honor and a desire to right the wrongs of his past.
Lord Ragnall: Ragnall chooses to pursue his wife, even though it means venturing into the unknown and facing deadly danger. He sacrifices his life of privilege and comfort for the chance to reunite with his lost love.
Hans: Hans repeatedly chooses to act with unwavering loyalty to Quatermain, even sacrificing his own well-being and freedom for his master. He demonstrates this through his bravery in battle, his cunning in defeating the snake, and his willingness to forgive Quatermain for his mistakes.

Lessons:

The Value of Loyalty: The story emphasizes the importance of loyalty and friendship, demonstrated through the selfless actions of Hans and Savage, who are willing to risk their lives for their companions.
The Power of Courage: The story celebrates the power of courage and resilience in the face of adversity, shown through the actions of Quatermain, Ragnall, and Hans.
The Uncertainty of Fate: The story underscores the unpredictable nature of life and the constant presence of danger and loss. The characters are forced to confront their own mortality and the limits of their control over their destinies.

Characters:

Allan Quatermain: A seasoned hunter and adventurer, known for his exceptional marksmanship and knowledge of Africa. He is a pragmatic and loyal man, but prone to moments of self-doubt and introspection.
Lord Ragnall: A noble and resourceful man, driven by a deep love for his wife and a desire to reclaim his life from the mundane. He is courageous and determined, even when faced with despair and overwhelming odds.
Hans: An old Hottentot companion of Quatermain, known for his cunning, loyalty, and love of gambling. He is a resourceful and brave man, but often displays a mischievous and unpredictable nature.
Lady Ragnall: A mysterious and intelligent woman, who seems to possess a connection to the mystical world. She is a victim of a strange spell, but ultimately recovers her sanity and finds strength in her love for her husband.
Harût: A wise and cunning priest of the White Kendah, devoted to his tribe and the Ivory Child. He is a skilled strategist and manipulator, and plays a complex role in the story, often acting as a guide and antagonist.

Themes:

The Clash of Cultures: The story highlights the clash between different cultures, beliefs, and ways of life, as exemplified by the conflict between the White and Black Kendah.
The Power of Belief: The story explores the power of belief, both in ancient religious traditions and in the individual’s capacity to find meaning and purpose. The Kendah’s unwavering devotion to the Ivory Child is a powerful force, even though their beliefs are challenged by the realities of war and conflict.
The Search for Meaning: The characters embark on a journey that transcends the physical world, seeking answers to profound questions about life, death, and the nature of reality. Their experiences challenge their perceptions and force them to confront the limits of human understanding.
The Importance of Friendship and Loyalty: The story celebrates the importance of loyalty and friendship in the face of adversity, as demonstrated through the actions of Quatermain, Ragnall, and Hans.

Principles:

Respect for the Natural World: The story reinforces the respect for the power and majesty of the natural world, showcasing the beauty and danger of Africa.
The Balance of Good and Evil: The story presents a classic struggle between good and evil, represented by the child-fetish and the elephant god Jana. The characters are faced with making choices that reflect their own values and beliefs in a world where the lines between good and evil can be blurred.
The Power of Love: The story underscores the enduring power of love, even in the face of loss and hardship. The devotion of Lord Ragnall to his wife, and the loyalty of Hans to Quatermain, are powerful forces that help them to overcome adversity.

Intentions of the characters in the text or the reader of the text:

Quatermain: Quatermain seeks to find a new path in life after a failed business venture. He is drawn to the Kendah’s story and the promise of riches, but also driven by a desire for adventure and a need to prove himself.
Lord Ragnall: Lord Ragnall seeks to find his lost wife and reunite with her, driven by an unwavering devotion and a sense of responsibility.
Harût and Marût: The White Kendah priests seek to maintain the power of their Ivory Child and protect their tribe from the threat of the Black Kendah.
The Reader: The reader seeks to be transported to another world, to experience the thrills of adventure, to understand the clash of different cultures, and to explore the profound themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning.

Unique Vocabulary:

“Ingane” (Child): This word is repeated throughout the story, underscoring the importance of the Ivory Child to the White Kendah.
“Tagati” (Bewitched): The Zulus’ belief in the bewitched nature of the River Luba reflects the power of superstition and the fear of the unknown.
“Spook”: The use of this word reflects the unsettling and supernatural elements of the story, highlighting the sense of fear and wonder that the characters experience.
“Skulpat”: This Afrikaans word, used to describe Hans’ bow, further emphasizes the story’s blend of African cultures.

Anecdotes:

The Pheasant Shoot: This anecdote highlights Quatermain’s remarkable marksmanship and sets the stage for the story’s adventurous themes.
The Story of Mameena: The story of Mameena, the Zulu lady, introduces the themes of love, loss, and the power of ancient beliefs, foreshadowing the significance of Mameena in the narrative.
The Snake Guardian: This chilling anecdote emphasizes the dangerous and mysterious nature of Kendahland and the consequences of defying the tribe’s beliefs.
The Death of the Elephant God: This monumental event, driven by Hans’ cunning and Quatermain’s skill as a hunter, signifies the shift in power dynamics between the White and Black Kendah, and highlights the story’s central themes of good versus evil and the power of faith.

Ideas:

The enduring power of ancient beliefs: The story explores the impact of ancient beliefs and rituals on modern-day societies, demonstrating how tradition can shape a culture’s identity and behavior.
The nature of truth and reality: The story questions the nature of truth and reality, exploring the boundaries between perception, illusion, and the supernatural. The characters are forced to confront the limitations of human understanding and the power of the unknown.
The importance of courage and compassion: The story emphasizes the importance of courage and compassion in the face of adversity. The characters, even in the face of danger and loss, demonstrate these qualities, illustrating their humanity and their ability to find strength in their beliefs and relationships.

Facts and Findings:

The existence of the Kendah tribe: The story suggests the existence of a tribe, the Kendah, who have remained isolated and preserved their ancient traditions.
The practice of sacrificing prisoners: The story reveals that both the White and Black Kendah practice sacrificing prisoners to their deities.
The use of hypnotism and mind control: Harût and Marût demonstrate a knowledge of hypnotism and mind control, as they are able to influence the minds of others and manipulate them for their own purposes.

Statistics:

The White Kendah population: The White Kendah tribe numbers around two thousand individuals, while the Black Kendah are estimated to have twenty thousand warriors.
The quantity of ivory: Quatermain and his companions encounter a vast quantity of ivory in the elephant graveyard, suggesting the potential wealth to be gained from hunting elephants in Africa.

Points of view:

The story is written from the first-person perspective of Allan Quatermain, a seasoned hunter with extensive experience in Africa. This point of view gives the reader a unique and immersive experience, allowing them to understand the complexities of the Kendah’s world and the challenges the characters face. Quatermain’s perspective is particularly valuable as it provides a contrasting viewpoint to the mystical beliefs of the Kendah, grounding the story in reality and offering a pragmatic perspective on the events.

Perspective:

The story offers multiple perspectives on the conflict between the White and Black Kendah:

Quatermain’s Perspective: As an outsider, Quatermain observes the conflict with a sense of detached curiosity and a pragmatic approach to the challenges he faces.
Lord Ragnall’s Perspective: Ragnall is a man of privilege and refinement, whose perspective is shaped by his love for his wife and his desire to return to a more civilized world.
The White Kendah’s Perspective: The White Kendah are deeply rooted in their ancient beliefs and traditions, viewing the conflict as a clash between good and evil.
The Black Kendah’s Perspective: The Black Kendah are driven by their survival instincts and their belief in the elephant god, Jana.

This diverse range of perspectives provides a rich and nuanced portrayal of the conflict, allowing the reader to develop their own understanding of the events.

Learn more