The Tiger King: Analysis, Character Sketch, and Irony
Q. Why does the Tiger King get his name?
Ans: He killed about seventy tigers within ten years. He was so caught up with reaching his target of killing one hundred tigers to disprove the prophecy that all other matters took a back-seat. This was how he got to be known as the Tiger King.
Q. What did astrologers foretell when the Tiger King was born?
Ans: When the Tiger King was born, astrologers said he would die because of a tiger. They predicted that a tiger would be the cause of his death, which made the king scared and influenced his life.
Q. How did the hundredth tiger take its revenge on the Tiger King?
Ans: The hundredth tiger, which was actually just a stuffed specimen, indirectly took revenge on the Tiger King. A relative mistook it for a real tiger and accidentally shot and killed the Tiger King, fulfilling the prophecy in an unexpected way.
Q. What did the Maharaja decide to do when he remembered the astrologer’s prediction?
Ans: When the Maharaja recalled the astrologer’s prediction about his death by a tiger, he resolved to prove it wrong by hunting and killing a hundred tigers. This decision stemmed from his fear and determination to defy fate and ensure his survival.
Q. What did the chief astrologer predict about the Tiger King?
Ans: The chief astrologer predicted that the Tiger King would meet his end by a tiger’s hand. This prophecy instilled fear and paranoia in the Tiger King, shaping his actions and driving him to embark on a relentless quest to hunt down tigers and defy his fate.
Q. What explanation was given by the chief astrologer to the query of the little Tiger King?
Ans: The chief astrologer explained to the little Tiger King that his horoscope indicated his death would be caused by a tiger. Despite the young prince’s innocence and disbelief, the astrologer’s ominous prediction planted the seeds of fear and obsession in his mind.
Q. Who is the Tiger King? Why did he get the name?
Ans: The Tiger King got his name because he was really into hunting tigers. He wanted to kill a hundred of them to prove a prophecy wrong, which said he would be killed by a tiger. This obsession made him famous as the Tiger King.
Q. Describe the ironical ending of the story “The Tiger King.”
Ans: In “The Tiger King,” the ironic ending unfolds when the protagonist, driven by fear of a prophecy predicting his death by a tiger, obsessively hunts tigers to disprove it. Despite his success in killing a hundred tigers, his fate takes a tragic turn. In a twist of fate, he is mistakenly shot dead by a relative who mistakes him for a tiger. This unforeseen demise starkly contrasts his relentless pursuit of power. The irony lies in how his actions, driven by fear and ambition, ultimately lead to his downfall. Through this ironic conclusion, the story emphasizes the unpredictable nature of destiny and the repercussions of one’s obsessions and actions. It serves as a poignant reminder of the futility of human endeavors when faced with the whims of fate, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.
Q. Draw a character sketch of the Tiger King in your own words.
Ans: The Tiger King, the protagonist of the story, is depicted as a ruler consumed by ambition and paranoia. Initially portrayed as a young prince, he becomes the Maharaja of Pratibandapuram. His defining characteristic is his obsession with hunting tigers, driven by a prophecy foretelling his death by a tiger’s hand. This fear shapes his entire life, leading him to embark on a relentless quest to kill a hundred tigers to defy fate.
Despite his royal status, the Tiger King’s actions are driven by insecurity and a desperate desire to control his destiny. His single-minded pursuit of tigers reflects his need for power and validation, as he seeks to prove his dominance over nature itself. However, this obsession ultimately leads to his downfall, highlighting the tragic irony of his life. Through the character of the Tiger King, the story explores themes of fate, power, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
Q. Describe the comic scene between the Tiger King and the Dewan. What did the Tiger King actually wish to convey to the Dewan?
Ans: The comic scene between the Tiger King and the Dewan in “The Tiger King” occurs when the Maharaja, in a fit of paranoia, orders the Dewan to fetch all the astrologers in the kingdom to prove his death prediction wrong. Despite the Dewan’s efforts to reason with him, the Maharaja stubbornly insists, revealing his irrational fear of the prophecy. The Maharaja’s behavior, while comical, underscores his desperation and insecurity. Beneath the surface, the Tiger King wishes to convey his deep-seated fear of the prophecy and his determination to defy it at any cost. His insistence on consulting the astrologers reflects his belief that controlling external factors, such as consulting experts, can alter his fate. Ultimately, this scene highlights the absurdity of the Tiger King’s obsession and the lengths he will go to in order to assert control over his destiny.
Q. How did the Tiger King come in danger of losing his throne, and how did he save his kingdom?
Ans: The Maharaja, or the Tiger King, found himself in peril when he refused a British official permission to hunt tigers, endangering his kingdom. To reconcile, he dispatched around fifty diamond rings to the official’s wife, aiming for her to accept them as a bribe. He hoped this gesture would sway her husband’s stance in his favor. This act highlights the Maharaja’s desperation to maintain power and stability, even resorting to bribery and manipulation. Despite his regal title, the Tiger King’s actions reveal vulnerability and the lengths to which he would go to safeguard his rule. This episode underscores the complex dynamics of colonial power and the challenges faced by indigenous rulers in navigating relationships with colonial authorities. Through these actions, the Tiger King grapples with the precarious balance between sovereignty and subservience in a colonial context, shaping the narrative’s themes of power and identity.