An analysis of the Maharaja of Pratibandapurum's character shows him to be far from perfect. He turns out to be a most self-centred, self-obsessed head of state who puts his desire to kill a hundred tigers before his duties towards the state. He abdicates his responsibility as a head of state by wantonly setting off on a killing spree knowing very well that even as a head of state he doesn't have the right to kill a tiger, unless, of course, in 'self-defence'.
Some people might claim that the Tiger King was brave enough to have fought with ninety-nine tigers and killed them in the end. However, the question here is, what was the purpose of this bravery? What was the end result of this act of killing ninety-nine tigers? Did it benefit society? Ultimately, it all boils down to the argument that the Tiger King was so scared of being killed by the hundredth tiger that he set out to eliminate the hundredth tiger so that what the astrologer had said would not come true. 'If he could kill just that one single beast, the Maharaja would have no fears left.' It is his fear of being killed by a tiger, that too, the hundredth tiger that fuels the Tiger King's frenzy toward killing tigers.
The Tiger King's obsession with killing tigers detracts him from his duties as the head of the state. 'The Maharaja vowed he would attend to all other matters only after killing a hundred tigers.' He is not just a bad statesman who neglects the state but also a father who neglects his duties toward his son. He had given his entire time to hunting tigers, so much so that 'He had had no time to spare for the crown prince.' Thus when his son turns three he decides to celebrate his birthday.
Perhaps the greatest flaw in the Tiger King's character lies in his desire to kill tigers. It is the duty of every well-meaning statesman to work for the welfare of his people and wildlife too. As a king, it is his duty to protect tigers and knows very well that even a king cannot kill tigers. The abdication of his duties towards the state in favour of his mission to kill tigers brings out his selfishness. And last but not least is the fact that he is a bad father. It is no wonder that "The operation was successful" and it resulted in the death of the tiger king!
No comments:
Post a Comment