Betrayal Quotes in The Jungle Book

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph) or (Chapter.Line)

Quote #1

"I was born in the Jungle. I have obeyed the Law of the Jungle, and there is no wolf of ours from whose paws I have not pulled a thorn. Surely they are my brothers!" (1.79)

Surely, right? Not so much. This line foreshadows the stinging betrayal Mowgli feels when he learns the wolves are not his brothers, and they kick him out the first shot they get.

Quote #2

The Lone Wolf must have sprung and missed his hold, for Mowgli heard the snap of his teeth and then a yelp as the sambhur knocked him over with his forefoot. (1.100)

The wolves don't just betray Mowgli, they betray their own leader by humiliating Akela with this Sambhur, all to convince everyone else he is unfit to lead.

Quote #3

"I promise that when I am a man among men I will not betray ye to men as ye have betrayed me." (1.134)

Mowgli takes the moral high ground, deciding not to betray the wolves even though, as a man, it would be very easy to do so.