Summary:

"The Bull" is a one-act play by Bhimnidhi Tiwari that delves into the feudal system prevalent in Nepal during the late 18th century. The story revolves around King Ranabahadur Shah, who holds a deep fondness for bulls. When one of his beloved bulls, Male, falls ill and eventually dies, it sparks a chain of events that leads to intense fear and desperation among the cowherds, particularly Laxminarayan, Jitman, and Gore.

In Scene I, the cowherds, Jitman and Gore, inform Laxminarayan about the bull's death, sending them into a panic as they fear the king's wrath for this unfortunate event. Laxminarayan instructs them to hide the news from the king and rushes to the palace to assess the situation.

Scene II unfolds at the Basantapur Palace, where Laxminarayan approaches King Ranabahadur Shah, attempting to mitigate the issue by suggesting a change in the bull's environment for its well-being. The king, concerned about the bull, agrees to Laxminarayan's proposal, displaying his care for the animal.

In Scene III, set in a cowshed, Jitman and Gore are distraught over the bull's death, fearing punishment. The king arrives and realizes the bull has died. Emotional outbursts ensue from the cowherds, expressing their deep attachment to the bull. Despite their genuine grief, the king offers monetary compensation to console them.

Comprehensive Analysis:

"The Bull" by Bhimnidhi Tiwari intricately explores themes of power dynamics, feudalism, and human-animal relationships. Through the characters of Ranabahadur Shah, Laxminarayan, Jitman, and Gore, the play highlights the complexities and inequalities within the feudal system in Nepal.

The playwright employs satire to critique the dehumanizing impact of the feudal society, where the king's fondness for bulls symbolizes the skewed priorities and detached ruling class. The play vividly portrays the fear and desperation of individuals caught within this hierarchical structure, where the consequences of a bull's death lead to intense panic and attempts at cover-up.

Furthermore, the play delves into the emotional connections between humans and animals, particularly showcasing the cowherds' deep attachment to the bull. It emphasizes their genuine sorrow upon the bull's demise, despite their fear of repercussions. The interaction between the cowherds and the king reveals the complexities of empathy, power, and the king's attempts to balance his authority with moments of compassion.

Overall, "The Bull" is a poignant commentary on societal structures, power dynamics, and the emotional bonds shared between humans and animals, offering a nuanced exploration of human nature and the intricacies of a feudal society.

Answer the following questions.

a. Why have Gore and Jitman come to see Laxminarayan?

Reason for Gore and Jitman visiting Laxminarayan:

●      Gore and Jitman come to Laxminarayan to inform him about the death of Male, the bull they were taking care of.

b. What, according to cowherds, is the reason behind the death of Male?

Reason according to cowherds for Male's death:

●      The cowherds believe that the reason behind Male's death is his lavish diet provided by the king, which included expensive foods like guavas, bananas, and sugarcane sticks. They think that such rich food led to the bull's inability to digest regular food, causing its death. 

c. Why does Ranabahadur want to see the bull himself?

Ranabahadur's desire to see the bull himself:

●      Ranabahadur wishes to personally inspect the bull to assess its condition and possibly decide the best course of action for its treatment. He wants to verify the bull's condition rather than relying solely on reports.

d. Why does Laxminarayan run ahead of the convoy at Thulo Gauchar?

Reason for Laxminarayan running ahead at Thulo Gauchar:

●      Laxminarayan runs ahead of the convoy to reach the cowshed before King Ranabahadur Shah arrives, instructing the cowherds to act as if they are still caring for the bull. He tries to control the situation before the king discovers the bull's death.

e. Why do Gore and Jitman cry when the king declares that Male is dead?

Reason for Gore and Jitman's tears upon the king's declaration:

●      Gore and Jitman cry when the king declares Male is dead because they fear severe consequences from the king due to their attachment to the bull. The announcement confirms their worst fears about their fate after the bull's demise.

f. How do we learn that the bull is dead?

How we learn about the bull's death:

●      The revelation about the bull's death occurs when King Ranabahadur Shah arrives at the cowshed, inspects the bull, and realizes that it has indeed died.

g. How does the play make a satire on the feudal system?

Satire on the feudal system in the play:

●      The play satirizes the feudal system by showcasing the exaggerated importance placed on the well-being of the bull, representing the skewed priorities of the ruling class. It highlights how the fear of punishment for an animal's death instills panic and desperation among the lower classes, demonstrating the dehumanizing nature of the societal hierarchy.

h. Write down the plot of the play in a paragraph. 

●      "The Bull" revolves around the death of a beloved bull, triggering fear, attempts to hide the truth, and emotional turmoil among the characters, reflecting societal complexities within the feudal system.

Reference to the context 

a. Discuss the late eighteenth-century Nepali society as portrayed in terms of the relation between the king and his subjects as portrayed in the play.

Late Eighteenth-Century Nepali Society:

●      King-Subject Relations: The play showcases a hierarchical society where the king, Ranabahadur Shah, holds immense power over his subjects. His fondness for bulls and his authority over life and death reflects the absolute power he holds.

●      Feudal Dynamics: The king's relationship with his subjects is characterized by fear and subservience. The cowherds, like Laxminarayan, Jitman, and Gore, fear severe consequences for the slightest mistakes, illustrating the oppressive and fearful environment within the feudal system.

b. What does the relation between Laxminarayan and his wives tell us about the society of that time? To what extent has the Nepali society changed since then?

Laxminarayan and His Wives:

●      Insight into Society: Laxminarayan's relationship with his multiple wives reflects the societal norms of that era, where polygamy was accepted. His frustration at not receiving prompt attention from them highlights the societal norms of hierarchy within marital relationships.

●      Societal Change: Nepali society has significantly evolved since the late 18th century. While remnants of traditional gender roles and hierarchical structures may exist, modern Nepali society has seen shifts towards gender equality and more egalitarian relationships between spouses. 

c. Shed light on the practice of chakari as portrayed in the play. Have you noticed this practice in your society?

Practice of Chakari:

●      Chakari in the Play: Laxminarayan's role as a chakari to the king showcases a system of servitude where individuals served the king and received certain privileges or favors in return.

●      Comparison to Present: While elements of servitude might exist in various forms in contemporary societies, the direct practice of chakari, as depicted in the play, is not prevalent in modern times. However, aspects of servitude might still exist in hierarchical structures or specific employment relationships. 

d. How does Laxminarayan outsmart Ranabahadur?

Laxminarayan's Cunning:

●      Outsmarting Ranabahadur: Laxminarayan uses his wits to manipulate the situation when the bull dies. He hides the truth from the king, strategically handling the delicate situation to prevent immediate repercussions and buys time to navigate the crisis without alarming the king.

e. Sketch the character of Laxminarayan.

Character Sketch of Laxminarayan:

●      Cunning and Resourceful: Laxminarayan is portrayed as cunning and resourceful, using his position and knowledge to navigate the precarious situation. He is quick to strategize and manipulate circumstances to protect himself and the cowherds from the king's wrath.

●      Fearful yet Strategic: While fearful of the king's power, Laxminarayan shows strategic thinking in dealing with the crisis. His ability to act swiftly and cautiously under pressure demonstrates his adaptability and survival instincts within the feudal society depicted in the play.