Final answer:
Rikki-tikki is characterized as adventurous and brave, while Darzee is depicted as less courageous and often unhappy due to the dangerous situation they face. They are different in their responses to threats; Rikki-tikki confronts problems head-on, Darzee does not. The correct answer is option: D. Rikki-tikki is adventurous, but Darzee is unhappy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characters of Rikki-tikki and Darzee in Rikki-Tikki-Tavi can be compared and contrasted in several ways. To address the student's multiple-choice question directly, the best answer would be:
D. Rikki-tikki is adventurous, but Darzee is unhappy.
Rikki-tikki, the main character of the story, is a brave and curious mongoose always ready for a new adventure. He is determined, proactive, and valiant in his quest to protect the family he lives with from cobras. On the other hand, Darzee, the tailorbird, tends to be portrayed as more overwhelmed and less courageous, often lamenting the dangers they face rather than actively confronting them.
While Darzee is not necessarily mean, and neither character is portrayed as particularly happy, their approaches to dealing with problems are notably distinct. Rikki-tikki's decisiveness and fearlessness set him apart, embodying the characteristics of a classic heroic figure in contrast to the more passive Darzee.