READING WITH
INSIGHT PAGE
17
1. The story is a satire on the conceit
of those in power. How does the author employ the literary device of dramatic
irony in the story?
Answer:
The Tiger King is a masterclass in theatrical irony. The term "dramatic
irony" describes a situation in which the audience can perceive the entire
impact of a character's words or actions, but the character is completely
oblivious of it. In light of the circumstances, the character acts unreasonably
or anticipates the polar opposite of what fate has in store for him. Kalki
utilises a skilful use of dramatic irony throughout the storey. To show that he
is stronger than the tiger, the King parades the body of the first tiger in
front of the astrologer. On the other hand, the astrologer warns the king to
"be careful with the hundredth tiger." In a frantic attempt to prove
the astrologer wrong once more, the king plans to kill a hundred tigers. By
shooting at the old tiger, the Tiger King believes he has killed the hundredth
tiger. The reader, as well as the king's officers and servants, immediately
realise that the emaciated tiger has just collapsed, not been murdered. The
king is delighted with himself for killing the tiger, but he is blissfully
unaware of his ironic fate. His spectacular death is caused by a sliver on the
wooden tiger's body, which was his child's toy. The hundredth tiger,
ironically, kills the king, proving the astrologer's prophecies right.
2. What is the author’s indirect comment
on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?
Answer:
Through this satirical work, the author has accurately shown how people have
subjected innocent creatures to untold misery and death in order to please
their whims and fancies. The maharaja's indiscriminate tiger hunting led to the
extinction of the species in some states, but he was unconscious of the
terrible consequences of his actions. To prove an astrologer wrong, the
maharaja went on a killing spree to demonstrate his dominance over the hapless
animals. To prove his supremacy as a human being, he utilised his abilities to
slay a hundred hapless tigers.
3. How would you describe the behaviour
of the Maharaja’s minions towards him? Do you find them truly sincere towards
him or are they driven by fear when they obey him? Do we find a similarity in
today’s political order?
Answer:
The Maharaja's servants were respectful and devoted to him. Most of them
frightened Maharaja and attempted to impress him by following his orders in the
hopes of saving their jobs or even their lives. The astrologer was terrified of
foretelling his death, but Maharaja had insisted on his freedom of speech.
Instead of advising the king against killing the tigers, Dewan chose to help
him in his marriage to a princess whose father's land contained a large number
of tigers. Because he was afraid of losing his job, he provided an old tiger to
satisfy his Maharaja's demands. Similarly, for fear of losing their jobs, the
hunters chose not to inform him about the 100th tiger's survival and instead
killed it themselves. To avoid being penalised under the emergency measures,
even the shopkeeper who sold the monarch a cheap wooden toy tiger upped his
price. As a result, rather than true feelings for their lord, the king's slaves
were motivated by fear. The political system of today is no exception. Many
people in positions of power, we all know, are there because of their power and
influence, not because of their skill. Others, on the other hand, cater to them
for personal benefit rather than for the good of the country.
4. Can you relate instances of
game-hunting among the rich and the powerful in the present times that
illustrate the callousness of human beings towards wildlife?
Answer:
There have been a few instances of game hunting in recent years. Even the
wealthy have been a part of situations illustrating human indifference to
nature. A poaching case involving blackbucks has ensnared Salman Khan. Salman
Khan, a well-known Bollywood actor, is a hunter. On two occasions, he snatched
three Chinkaras in a row. Blackbucks are a severely endangered species. Salman
killed them although he was aware of it. He was accused of committing a crime,
but he was found not guilty.
5. We need a new system for the age of
ecology — a system which is embedded in the care of all people and also in the care
of the Earth and all life upon it. Discuss.
Answer:
The age of modernity is the age of ecology. Humans have developed a new level
of consciousness. Animals and birds are just as much a part of the natural
world as humans. The indiscriminate killing or destruction of one species may
not only result in its extinction to dared to but will also harm the ecological
balance. If the beasts of prey are eradicated, the number of creatures that
serve as food for wild animals would increase dramatically. Each species, no
matter how vicious, lethal, ferocious, or poisonous, serves a purpose in the
grand scheme of things. We need to come up with a new system. It must
prioritise the protection of all living beings on the planet, as well as the
planet itself and all life on it, whether vegetative or animal.
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