Vistas: The Tiger King

Topics in this chapter

• Satire of Autocracy
• Maharaja’s Character and Motivation
• Prophecy, Fate, and Irony
• Tiger Hunt and Symbolism
• Court Politics and State Power
• Mock-Heroic Narrative Techniques

Cheat sheet

Practice questions

1. Question 1Q-0757AB

   Which statement best explains the central irony in Kalki's "The Tiger King"?

   1. A.The Maharaja defeats the prophecy by killing exactly one hundred real tigers.
   2. B.The Maharaja's efforts to escape death from a tiger ultimately lead to his death because of a wooden tiger.
   3. C.The astrologers deliberately help the Maharaja become a successful ruler.
   4. D.The Maharaja gives up hunting after discovering that tigers are harmless.
   See the answer and solution
2. Question 2Q-C651F9

   How does the Maharaja's obsession with killing one hundred tigers contribute to the satire in "The Tiger King"?

   See the answer and solution
3. Question 3Q-B09049

   What does the Maharaja's decision to send diamond rings to the British officer's wife chiefly reveal about his rule?

   1. A.He wants to encourage the British officer to hunt more tigers.
   2. B.He uses his wealth to avoid political trouble while protecting his pride.
   3. C.He intends to strengthen his friendship with the British officer.
   4. D.He wishes to display the artistic value of royal jewellery.
   See the answer and solution
4. Question 4Q-23DF22

   How does the wooden tiger contribute to the ending of The Tiger King?

   See the answer and solution
5. Question 5Q-E5F1C3

   Why does the Maharaja marry a princess from another royal state in Kalki's "The Tiger King"?

   1. A.To secure military support against the British
   2. B.To gain access to a state where many tigers still live
   3. C.To escape the astrologers' prophecy
   4. D.To obtain permission to hunt in British forests
   See the answer and solution