Question

Discuss the story 'Tiger King' as a satire on the conceit of those in power.

Hint:

To analyze satire, identify the target of the criticism (e.g., absolute rulers). Then, explain the tools the author uses—such as irony, exaggeration, and absurdity—providing specific examples from the text to support your points.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Satire is a literary device that uses humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize foolishness and corruption, particularly in the context of politics and power. This question asks for an analysis of 'The Tiger King' as a satirical piece aimed at the arrogance and whims of rulers.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
'The Tiger King' by Kalki is a profound satire on the conceit and folly of autocratic rulers. The author uses several elements to criticize the powerful:
1. Absurd Obsession: The Maharaja's single-minded mission to kill one hundred tigers to defy a prophecy is utterly absurd. He neglects all his duties as a king and puts the entire state machinery to work for his personal whim. This satirizes how rulers often prioritize their personal ego over the welfare of their people.
2. Abuse of Power: The King's actions demonstrate a blatant abuse of power. He bans tiger hunting for everyone else, marries a princess from a kingdom with a large tiger population solely for hunting purposes, and arbitrarily doubles the land tax on a village when a tiger isn't found. These actions mock the unaccountable nature of absolute power.
3. Sycophancy of Courtiers: The king's ministers and servants are portrayed as sycophants who live in constant fear. The dewan procures an old tiger from a circus to satisfy the king's whim, and the astrologer is afraid to deliver the full prophecy. This satirizes the culture of flattery and fear that surrounds powerful leaders, preventing them from hearing the truth.
4. Ironic End: The ultimate satire lies in the Tiger King's death. After bravely (and foolishly) killing 99 tigers, he is not killed by a fearsome beast but by a tiny sliver of wood from a poorly made wooden toy tiger he bought for his son. The 'hundredth tiger' that causes his death is a toy. This ironic ending brilliantly mocks his arrogance, showing that his grand, heroic quest was ultimately undone by a trivial, inanimate object. It highlights the vanity and futility of his conceit.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The story satirizes the conceit of those in power by portraying a king whose life revolves around a foolish personal goal, leading him to abuse his authority, neglect his responsibilities, and surround himself with flatterers. His ironic and anticlimactic death serves as the final punchline, mocking his monumental ego and the absurdity of his reign.