Question

“If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Analyse the theme of The Tiger King in the light of the above quote. (The Tiger King)

Hint:

Use irony, symbolism, and satire as literary tools to explain the themes in fictional texts about power or leadership.

Answer 1

The quote aptly reflects the central theme of The Tiger King. The story is a sharp political and social satire on how power, when unchecked, corrupts absolutely and exposes a person’s true character. The Tiger King, having heard a prophecy at birth that he would die because of a tiger, becomes obsessed with defying his fate. Instead of embracing wisdom, he embarks on a ruthless campaign to kill a hundred tigers to escape death. In his obsession, he misuses his royal authority. He imposes irrational bans, punishes villages that cannot offer him tigers, and manipulates his marriage solely to gain access to more hunting grounds. The irony lies in the fact that while he believes he is outwitting destiny, he is, in fact, sealing his own doom. His paranoia renders him blind to reason and compassion, and he becomes a symbol of absurd tyranny. Even the courtiers around him prefer flattery over honesty, highlighting the sycophancy that often surrounds those in power. The climax, where the King is killed not by a real tiger but by a splinter from a wooden toy tiger, reinforces the futility of trying to control destiny. It also serves as a biting comment on the hollowness of authority when divorced from moral insight. Through exaggerated storytelling, the author mocks the arrogance of power, stressing that true character is revealed not through words but through choices made under the influence of control. Real leadership, the story suggests, lies in wisdom, restraint, and self-awareness — qualities the Tiger King fatally lacks.