Question 2 - Chapter 2 - The Tiger King - Vistas - Chapters (Literature) - English Class 12

Read the extract and answer the following questions.

Extract:

The manner of his death is a matter of extraordinary interest. It can be revealed only at the end of the tale. The most fantastic aspect of his demise was that as soon as he was born, astrologers had foretold that one day the Tiger King would actually have to die. “The child will grow up to become the warrior of warriors, hero of heroes, champion of champions. But...” they bit their lips and swallowed hard. When compelled to continue, the astrologers came out with it. “This is a secret which should not be revealed at all. And yet we are forced to speak out. The child born under this star will one day have to meet its death.”

(The Tiger King)

Question (i)

Why does the narrator say that the manner of the Tiger King's death can be revealed only at the end of the tale?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The narrator says that the manner of the Tiger King's death can be revealed only at the end of the tale because he wants to create suspense and interest in the story and make the reader curious about how and why the Tiger King died.

  Step-by-step explanation:

•     To answer this question, we need to think about why a writer would choose to withhold some information until the end of a story. One possible reason is that they want to create suspense and interest in the story and make the reader curious about what will happen next. This is a technique that can make a story more engaging and exciting for the reader.
•      The narrator uses this technique when he says that the manner of the Tiger King's death can be revealed only at the end of the tale. He does not tell us how he died or what caused his death, but he hints that it was something extraordinary and fantastic. This makes us wonder how and why the Tiger King died, and what his fate had to do with his birth and his name.😮

Question (ii)

What is the meaning of "fantastic" in the phrase "the most fantastic aspect of his demise"? 

1.    Imaginative or fanciful 
2.    Extremely good or impressive 
3.    Based on fantasy or illusion 
4.    Strange or bizarre

Answer:

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Answer as written by the student:  

(d) Strange or bizarre

   Step-by-step explanation:

•      To answer this question, we need to know what "fantastic" means and how it is used in different contexts. The word "fantastic" can have different meanings depending on how it is used. It can mean imaginative or fanciful, as in "a fantastic story". It can mean extremely good or impressive, as in "a fantastic performance". It can mean based on fantasy or illusion, as in "a fantastic dream". Or it can mean strange or bizarre, as in "a fantastic creature".
•      In this case, the word "fantastic" is used to describe the aspect of the Tiger King's demise, or death. The narrator says that it was the most fantastic aspect of his demise, implying that it was something unusual or surprising that happened when he died. The best option that matches this meaning is D. strange or bizarre. This shows that the narrator wants to emphasize how extraordinary and unexpected the Tiger King's death was.😲

Question (iii)

What emotion do the astrologers show when they say "But..." and "And yet we are forced to speak out"?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:  

 The emotion that the astrologers show when they say "But..." and "And yet we are forced to speak out" is reluctance or hesitation.

    Step-by-step explanation:  

•      To answer this question, we need to pay attention to how the astrologers speak and what words they use. We can also use clues from the context and tone of the extract to infer their emotion.
•     The astrologers are telling the Tiger King's parents about his future and destiny based on his star sign. They praise him for being a great warrior and hero, but then they pause and say "But..." This shows that they have something else to say that is not so positive or pleasant. They also bite their lips and swallow hard, which are signs of nervousness or discomfort.
•  When they are compelled to continue, they say "And yet we are forced to speak out". This shows that they do not want to say what they have to say, but they have no choice. They also call it a secret that should not be revealed at all, which implies that it is something dangerous or harmful. These words and phrases show that the astrologers are reluctant or hesitant to tell the Tiger King's parents about his death.😕

Question (iv)

How does the narrator create suspense and curiosity in the extract?

Answer:

Answer as written by the student:

The narrator creates suspense and curiosity in the extract by using foreshadowing, irony, and contrast.

   Step-by-step explanation:

•      To answer this question, we need to know what suspense and curiosity mean and how they are created by a writer. Suspense is a feeling of excitement or anxiety that a reader feels when they are not sure what will happen next in a story. Curiosity is a desire or interest to know more about something or someone in a story. A writer can create suspense and curiosity by using various techniques, such as foreshadowing, irony, and contrast.
•      Foreshadowing is when a writer gives hints or clues about what will happen later in the story. The narrator uses foreshadowing when he says that the manner of the Tiger King's death can be revealed only at the end of the tale, and that it was the most fantastic aspect of his demise. This makes us curious about how he died and why it was so fantastic.
•      Irony is when something is said or done that is opposite or different from what is expected or intended. The narrator uses irony when he says that as soon as he was born, astrologers had foretold that one day the Tiger King would actually have to die. This is ironic because it implies that dying is something unusual or surprising for him, when in fact it is inevitable for everyone. This makes us wonder what made his death so special and different from others.
•      Contrast is when a writer shows the difference between two things or people. The narrator uses contrast when he compares the Tiger King's full name and his nickname, and his praise and his fate. He shows that he had a very long and impressive name, but he was known by a simple and common name. He also shows that he was praised for being a great warrior and hero, but he was destined to die by a mysterious cause. This makes us interested in how he lived up to his name and how he faced his destiny.😯

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