Character Relationship Map: Kim

Characters

• Lama (played by Peter O'Toole) — protagonist

  A travelling Tibetan holy man searching for a river where Buddha hurled an arrow. Kim initially serves as his guide and later rejoins him during his training.

• Mahbub Ali (played by Bryan Brown) — supporting

  An astute Afghan horse-dealer who is secretly a British Secret Service agent. He befriends Kim and assists him in carrying out his espionage tasks.

• Babu (played by John Rhys-Davies) — supporting

  An Englishman who trains Kim to become a British spy, preparing him for his role in the geopolitical struggle in Central Asia.

• Kim (played by Ravi Sheth) — supporting

  A 13-year-old street orphan in 19th-century Lahore who is secretly British (Kimball O'Hara). He works as a guide, rebels against military regimentation, and becomes a British spy due to his ability to...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Babu → Kim (Professional Trainer) — Babu prepares Kim for espionage and the geopolitical struggle in Central Asia.

  Babu trains Kim to become a British spy.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Kim → Mahbub Ali (Social Friend) — Their friendship connects Kim to an experienced intelligence operative.

  Kim befriends Mahbub Ali, who is described as an astute Afghan horse-dealer.

• Kim → Lama (Alliance Guide) — Kim guides Lama across India during his spiritual search.

  Kim is hired as a guide by the travelling Tibetan lama during the lama's search for a sacred river.

Story Analysis

A street orphan navigates conflicting identities while balancing a spiritual journey with espionage in colonial India.

Plot Progression

1. The Orphan and the Lama — Kim lives as a street orphan in Lahore and becomes the guide of a travelling Tibetan lama. Together they pursue the sacred river associated with Buddha's arrow and redemption.
2. The Name Beneath the Disguise — Kim's British origins are discovered after he finds his father's regiment. His placement in an English college creates tension because he rejects the regimentation expected of him.
3. A Child of Two Worlds — Kim's knowledge of Indian life and ability to pass as an Indian child make him useful to British espionage. He becomes involved in efforts to thwart revolution and invasion.
4. Training for the Great Game — Kim rejoins Lama while receiving spy training from Babu. Mahbub Ali, secretly a British agent, becomes Kim's ally and assists with his tasks.
5. The Risky Mission — Kim receives a dangerous assignment connected to the struggle between Imperial Britain and Russia in Afghanistan and Central Asia. His identities and loyalties converge in the espionage mission.