Kipling delicately treats the theme of religious growth through the lama's quest for salvation through Buddhism.

Kipling is respectful of Buddhism, and much of Kim's wisdom comes from his relationship with the lama. Kipling also suggests that some of the finest Christian ethics of love and nonviolence are also characteristics of Buddhism. Kipling pokes gentle fun at the differences between Anglicanism and Catholicism; but he depicts both priests favorably.

Readers come away from Kim with a sense of how major religions compare.

There is only slight violence in the novel and Kipling always uses it to a purpose. Kipling does have an unfavorable view of Russians, seeing them as the cause of much trouble in Europe.

Kim is the story of a young boy going through puberty and reaching physical maturity.