NCERT Solutions for Class-12 English (Vistas) Chapter-2 The Tiger King

NCERT TEXTBOOK QUESTIONS

Reading with insight !!

Question 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 narrative is a heartbreaking satire on the abuse of authority by those in positions of power. The Maharaja began a frenetic pursuit in the name of "self-defense," foreboding the prophecy that he would perish at the hands of the hundredth tiger. Except for the Maharaja, tiger hunting was prohibited by the state. He proclaimed that anyone who ventured to hunt a tiger would have their property seized. The king was prepared to accomplish his goal. After killing 100 tigers, he promised to attend to other problems. In the process, he nearly lost his crown by forbidding a senior British commander from hunting tigers in his territory.
          He married a woman from a state with a big tiger population when there were no longer any tigers in his realm. Even in the realm of his father-in-law, tigers had gone extinct over time. When a tiger was discovered in a hamlet in his realm, the Maharaja jokingly declared a three-year tax exemption for that village and immediately went on the hunt.
          Many police officers lost their jobs when the tiger was not discovered. He threatened to eliminate employment and increase taxes before being given the one hundredth tiger, putting his entire kingdom through hardship. Ironically, he was killed by a wooden toy tiger in spite of his ferocious efforts to disprove the prophecy. The hundredth "toy tiger" therefore exacted its last retribution on the Tiger King.
          The ironic plot twist makes use of dramatic irony: 99 tigers were slaughtered in vain, and the monarch was threatened by a wooden toy tiger. Ironically, the 100th tiger was old and passed out from the shock of the bullet speeding by, in contrast to how fierce tigers can be. The story is a parody on the haughty Maharaja, who mercilessly slaughtered 100 tigers only to face his arch-enemy in a toy.

Question 2. What is the author’s indirect comment on subjecting innocent animals to the wilfulness of human beings?
Answer: The author conveys his position against animal cruelty through the narrative "The Tiger King." The story's protagonist, the Maharaja, brutally murdered tigers out of fear of a prophesy. The author also brings up a current issue: the extinction of animals as a result of human activity. It is the equivalent of claiming the "right" to steal from future generations to claim the "right" to slaughter animals. In the areas where he had access to kill, the tiger population vanished. The author disguises it as folklore while addressing how the ruthless killing of animals results in the depletion of natural resources. It conveys the delicate environmental issue of certain species becoming extinct wonderfully and playfully.

Question 3. How would you describe the behaviour of the Maharaja’s minions towards him? Do you find them 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 followers followed him out of dread since his entire existence focused around slaying a hundred tigers. Prior to the Maharaja telling him to "speak without fear," even the astrologer was reluctant to prophesy his demise. The Maharaja, determined to complete his task, threatened to seize the money and property of anybody who ventured to harm a tiger.
          He unfairly charged taxes and threatened to oust his subjects from their employment after becoming consumed by the craziness of wanting to kill 100 tigers. The minions appeared to be wary of their capricious master. They remained silent and watched as their ruler put the safety of the entire country at danger for his own goals. Such instances of dynastic monopolies and authoritarian dictators exist all across the world in the political system of today. We see that a number of factors, including money, criminality, election tampering, and physical force, have a significant impact on political decisions. The truth is hidden from people in positions of authority by sycophants.

Question 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: While not all mediaeval nobles engaged in combat, if they were physically capable, they always rode off on horseback to engage in hunting. The warrior class enjoyed hunting, but since poaching became criminal in the recent past, most hunters in India got away with murder. The brutal, haughty lifestyle of certain Indians with inherited wealth was made clear when Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was caught for killing an endangered species of black deer.
          Animals have been slain for their skins and organs for a very long time, notably tigers and elephants. Poachers have essentially transformed national parks, sanctuaries, and reserves into hunting grounds. The poachers have dominated the forests with little fear because they are well-equipped with guns and cars, have the backing of dishonest authorities and politicians, and are glorified by actors like Salman Khan, who was detained for shooting a black deer in Rajasthan.
          All of this has resulted in some animals going extinct as a result of human encroachment and hunting. One such illustration is the skin of the Tibetan Antelope, which is pursued by poachers for the Shahtoosh shawl. One of the world's finest and most costly wools, cherished by the wealthy, is produced by this antelope. One of the numerous byproducts of extensive commercial fishing, pearl essence is predominantly made from herring.

Question 5. We need a new system of the age of ecology—a system that will take care of all people and of the earth and of all life upon it. Discuss.
Answer: It is essential that we, as a species, acknowledge our duty to the larger community of life in our complex and interconnected globe. The awareness that we need to go beyond nationalism and toward broader global concerns, such as a sense of bio-regionalism, is essential for the survival of our planet. The preservation of clean air, clear rivers, fertile soils, and a wide diversity of plants, animals, and ecosystems is essential for the welfare of humans and the biosphere. The world's ecology, with its limited resources, is of the utmost importance to all people. Our planet's community is at a turning point. Both huge advantages and great disadvantages have sprung from science and technology.
          The prevalent production and consumption patterns are generating significant extinctions of species, environmental degradation, climate change, and degradation of the ecosystem. A sharp increase in population has put more strain on social systems and increased pressure on natural systems. The issues that mankind faces can only be overcome if everyone decides to live with a feeling of universal duty, becomes aware of how interdependent the planet is, and decides to connect with it.