Question 8 (Choice 2)
Both the general (The Enemy) and the Maharaja (The Tiger King), deal with death. They are powerful figures confronted by a similar fate.
You wish to include both of these characters in an upcoming play. As a part of your research essay, compare and contrast their experiences and their responses to these experiences in 120–150 words. [Clue: Include the
similarities and differences of their circumstances - their way of dealing with things - their ultimate fate]
Answer:
- Both of them face death, one owing to old age and disease while the other was destined to die at the hands of the hundredth tiger he came across.
- The general, weak yet hopeful, turned to a doctor to cure him of his illness. Anticipating that he would die, he went to the extent of keeping Sadao in the country instead of letting him go to the war front like others. The king challenged death and decided to kill a hundred tigers to ensure his safety.
- In order to protect Sadao from possible arrest because this would leave him without a doctor, the general offered his personal assassins to murder Tom. The king decided to marry a girl from a royal family whose kingdom had a healthy tiger population. Thus, both of them took extreme measures for their safety, albeit differently.
- The king was careless and so self-absorbed that he did not kill the 100th tiger properly, which eventually led him to be killed by a toy tiger instead. The general behaved similarly because he was so preoccupied with his illness that he forgot to send the assassins.
- However, this carelessness cost the king his life while the general recovered.
