Class 12 English Chapter 2 The Tiger King

Are you looking for a simple and complete summary of The Tiger King for your Class 12 English exam preparation? You’re in the right place! This chapter, written by Kalki, is part of the NCERT Class 12 English Vistas book and often appears in CBSE board exams. In this post, we provide an easy-to-understand summary of The Chapter The Tiger King, along with key points, themes, and important questions. Whether you’re short on time before exams or want to revise quickly, this guide will help you score better in your English paper. Read on for the Class 12 English Chapter 2 – The Tiger King summary, characters, and analysis.

Short Summary of the Chapter The Tiger King

The story is about human pride and the foolishness of trying to challenge fate. The main character of the story is the Maharaja of Pratibanpuram, also known as the tiger king. The astrologer predicted that the king would die because of a tiger. So the king decided to declare war against the tiger. He remembers the prophecy and takes it seriously.

The maharaja starts killing tigers one by one. He marries a princess from a state where a large number of tigers live, so he can continue hunting the tigers. Over the years, he killed 99 tigers. He believes that when he kills the 100th tiger, he will be free from the prophecy. One day, he saw the 100th tiger and shot at it. Believing he was killed, he feels victorious.

But in reality, his bullet only grazes the tiger. Later, his hunter secretly killed it to save the king’s pride. Soon his son’s birthday will arrive. The king buys a toy tiger as a gift. The toy is made of wood, which pricks the king’s hand. The wound became infected, and despite medical treatment, he died. It was a toy tiger, not a real one, that caused his death, fulfilling the astrologer’s prophecy.

Theme of the Tiger King Class 12

The theme of The Tiger King is about pride, greed, and the consequences of trying to control everything. The story focuses on the King’s desire to kill 100 tigers to prove his power, which shows his hubris (excessive pride). His greed for glory leads to the destruction of tigers and eventually, his own downfall. The story also highlights the irony that despite all his power, the King dies in a silly way—by being injured by a tiger, not from his grand actions. It’s a lesson that shows how greed and arrogance can have dangerous consequences, and how fate can be unpredictable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Tiger King is a powerful satirical tale that teaches us an important lesson: no one can escape fate—not even the most powerful kings. It combines humor, irony, and a strong message about life, death, and destiny. For Class 12 students, understanding the plot, themes, and character of the Maharaja is crucial for exams and CBSE question papers. This chapter not only entertains but also provokes deep thinking about human nature and societal flaws.

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