The Tiger King - Vistas | NCERT Complete Notes

Q.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?

Ans. The story is a poignant satire on the self-importance that people in power assume. The Maharaja, because of the prophecy that he would meet his death from the hundredth tiger that he kills,' shouted a warning to all the tigers. He Justified the act of hunting tigers as 'self-defence’.   The state banned tiger hunting by anyone except the Maharaja. He declared that the property of the person who even hurt a tiger would be confiscated. The king was all set to realize his ambition. He vowed to attend to all other matters only after killing hundred tigers. fact, in the process, he almost lost his throne when he refused permission to a high-ranking British office. When there were no more tigers left in his state, he married a girl of a state with a large tiger population. With the passage of time, tigers had become extinct even in his father-in-law's kingdom. He became gloomy but later, on hearing the news of a tiger in a village, announced a three-year exemption from all taxes for that village and set out on the hunt at once. When the tiger was not found, many officers lost their Jobs. However, after shooting the tiger the Maharaja was relieved. Little did he realize that his death would be caused by a toy tiger which  cost only 'two annas and a quarter'   Thus, the hundredth 'toy tiger' took its final revenge upon the Tiger King and in the process shattered the conceit of the Maharaja, There is dramatic irony in the fact that the king killed ninety-nine tigers in vain while his death was caused by a small wooden tiger. There is also a great deal of irony in how contrary to the ferociousness of tigers, the hundreth tiger was old and ambled into the Maharaja's presence and stood there humbly and finally Jointed from the shock of the bullet whizzing past. The humour satirizes the pompousness of the Maharaja for preying on a beast that had been acquired and provided by the dewan as a sitting duck. 

Q.2 What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the willfulness of human beings?

Ans. The author created some humour in the story and also he shows that how the human kills innocent animals or creatures just to show their superiority and fancies. In the story the king killed 99 tigers and he got his punishment. Just to show his power and legacy and to prove astrologer wrong he killed 99 tigers.

Q.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?

Ans. The minions were not so sincere towards the king. They just follows his order due the fear of king as if they will disobey the order of king the king surely punish them or they will loose their jobs and also they obey his order just to be in good books of king. Dewan who should have advised the king not to kill the tigers did not dare to go against his wishes and aided his marriage to a princess whose father’s kingdom had most number of tigers. Even when king purchased the wooden tiger, the shopkeeper sold it with higher price he had fear if he would sell it on cheap price the king would punish him.

But in today’s political order there is some similar things. In today’s era many people are in power not only because of their ability but also by their influence and power. And many joins politics to earn money but some joins to do something good for the country.

Q.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?

Ans. While not every medieval noble ever went off to war, they all, if physically able, went off to hunt on horseback, and not Just the men, but the women—who rode astride— as well. Hunting was the favourite pastime of the warrior class.   However, in the recent past, even when poaching is illegal, most hunters get away with murder in India. When Mansur Alt Khan Pataudi was apprehended for hunting of an endangered black buck, what was really on trial was the ruthless, arrogant lifestyle of some Indians with inherited fortunes. What was on trial was not only what Pataudi did, but also what people like him do and how Jar they*go to hide their lawlessness. For years, animals—especially tigers and elephants—have been killed for their skins and organs precisely in those areas that were formed to protect them. National parks, sanctuaries, and reserves have been virtually turned into killing fields by poachers. Armed with sophisticated weapons and vehicles, supported by corrupt officials and politicians, and glamorized by movie stars like Salmon Khan (killing the black buck in Rajasthan), the poachers have ruled the jungles with little fear.   All this has led to certain species becoming extinct due to encroachment and hunting by human beings. One such example is the Tibetan Antelope, which is being hunted down by poachers for its skin, which is used to make the Shahtoosh shawl. This antelope yields one of the finest and most expensive wools in the world which is a prized possession of the rich. In the recent times, the silvery stuff found in fish scales is being used in lipsticks, nail polishes, ceramic glazes, etc., to make them shimmery. Pearl essence is obtained primarily from herring and is one of many by-products of large-scale commercial fish processing.   Constant and indiscriminate persecution by man has sadly endangered many species. However, the silver lining is in the form of activists who champion animal rights and the people like the Bishnois, who for centuries, have carried on a sublime romance with nature. The Kathi and the Bishnois communities in Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab, have violently protected the black buck with vigour and zeal as it is associated with their past history of valour and religious practices. But, it is not for a Jew but for all to realize that killing defenseless animals is not hunting, it's criminal.

Q.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.

Ans. In today's modern age, ecological awareness and the delicate balance that exists between humans and other creatures is needed to be understood as the destruction of even one species may disturb the ecological balance of our planet.

So, we need to take certain steps to prevent environmental pollution and thus ecological unbalance as only by protecting, preserving and conserving our nature can we ensure a better tomorrow.

 Hence, 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.