The Bull by Bhimnidhi Tiwari Summary Exercise

Understanding the text

Answer the following questions.

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

Ans. Gore and Jitman come to see Laxminarayan to inform him about the bull's death. 

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

Ans. According to cowherds, the male died due to a heavy (excess) diet of rice and lentil soup of split red gram. 

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

Ans. Ranabahadur wants to see the bull himself because if he gets better after treating here, he shouldn't be taken to the hill.

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

Ans. Laxminarayan runs ahead of the convoy at thulo Gauchar to warn cowherds not to utter about the male's death and act as if seeing him. 

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

Ans. To save their lives from the king's punishment, Gore and Jitman cry when the king declares that the male has died. 

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

Ans. By seeing dropped down ear and closed tail, it was learned that the bull was dead.    

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

Ans. The play makes a satire on the feudal system, which dehumanizes human beings to such as extent that their existence depends on their deferential treatment of the four-footed animals like bulls.

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

Ans. The male was dead already, but they presented as if they were unknown about it and serving him. When the Ranabahadur came there and announced the bull's death, they acted well and cried in front of the king and saved their lives from penalty.

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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.

Ans. In the late eighteenth century, kings were almighty. They have the power to do whatever they want. Any life is like a matter/thing for a king. They can even give the death penalty also if something goes wrong. In this story, After the Male's death, cowherds and a bull doctor are in danger. They thought they would be beheaded. They tried to save their lives. They acted well to get rid of the penalty. They got success too, but the king's fear was more than of god at that time. No one has dared to speak with the king in a loud voice or discard his advice or command. They used to talk politely. They had to do what the king said without questioning him back.

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?

Ans. In this story, Laxminarayan had done polygamy marriage. We cannot see any respect towards wives. He has used 'Hey' to call them. He didn't use any name or beloved words for them. Instead, he used a flat-nosed one! Swallow, the eldest one, ugly face one, etc. After getting the information about the bull's death, he scolded his wife when she was bringing hookah for him. He seems to be rude to his wives. It looks more pathetic about the women's lives at that time. But in the present time, the situation is somehow changed. Many women are getting an education. They are empowered. Many are doing jobs and helping their families. Polygamy marriage is also not common nowadays.

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

Ans. In the past, the 'Chakari' practice was common in Nepal and South Asian countries. Many people used to give service in the house of high rank or economically strong person with an expectation of receiving favor. In chakari, there were no fixed terms. They did not get a fixed price for their work. But nowadays, the 'Chakari' practice is not common. Many people are doing jobs. In a job, there are fixed terms and conditions and payment amount and method. In the context of Nepal, especially in some poor societies. Some people work in the rich people's homes as a 'gothalo' and 'Hali.' But this is also not a 'chakari.' They are doing it for their daily needs and livelihood. So, I can say that the 'Chakari' practice can not be noticed in my society and Nepal. 

d. How does Laxminarayan outsmart Ranabahadur?

Ans. When Laxminarayan, a bull doctor, got a piece of information about the bull's death, he got worried about the punishment given by the king. But he handled it smartly. He pretended as if the bull was sick only in front of king Ranabahadur. he also warned cowherds not to utter about the male's death from their mouth and to act as if they were serving him (Bull). When Ranabahadur came there to see the bull and announced it as dead, two cowherds as well as he acted as the fate was broken. Hence, Acting smartly in front of kings, they saved their lives and got tips from the king.

e. Sketch the character of Laxminarayan.

Ans. In this play, Laxminarayan seems to be very smart and has the power to handle extreme situations. He not only saved his own life but also saved the other two cowherds' life. They also got tips from the king. But on the other hand, he is rude to his wives.

Also, he may not socialize well; he said that he has many enemies. He has done polygamy marriage, which is also not readily accepted. But he has done his job becoming subedar of the company and a bichari.

Reference beyond the text

a. Write an essay in about 300 words on "The Nepali Society: Past, Present, and Future."    

Ans. A society is a web of human relationships. Nepali society is a little different than other societies for some of its specific features.

Nepali society never was equal and was always stratified in terms of cast and gender. Although there are many cultural and ethnics group in Nepal, they always live in peace and harmony with each other. There is always and will be forever tolerance among the various culture, and no dispute occurred that could affect the cultural solidarity of the country. Nepali society is flexible, and the system and cultural practices are blended according to the comfort of the human being. The traditional rules could be modified for one's convenience. 

Similarly, the status of women in Nepal can be said to be good neither in the past nor now. More than 50% of women are illiterate. The level of women is different according to region, caste, economy, religion, and community structure. The condition in various aspects like education, discrimination, and development in our country is on the path of progress in the present time. I hope it goes further in a good way in the future.

Society nowadays is not what it was a decade ago. People change, and so does the community they live in. The problem is that the society our grandparents experienced with our parents isn't the same that our parents shared with us. Nowadays, young people are exposed to two major social problems that affect their life negatively. The social issues are during, and violence and these problems are thought of as familiar nowadays. Even though one doesn't want to be exposed to these problems, it's impossible because it is everywhere. So, such practice has been seen in different prospects in our Nepalese society. 

b. In his "Satire 9", Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux says:

But satire, ever moral, ever new.

Delights the reader and instructs him, too.

She, if good sense, refine her sterling page,

Oft shakes some rooted folly of the age.

Do you agree with the poet? Discuss the lines concerning Bhimnidhi Tiwari's play "The Bull."

Ans. Nicolas Boileau-Despreaux, commonly known as Boileau, was a prominent French poet and critic of the seventeenth century. His twelve satires explore various aspects of social life, literary culture, and human folly in Parisian society. Among these, the second, seventh, and ninth satires specifically deal with the art of satire itself, the responsibilities of the satirist, and Boileau’s reflections on his literary career.

In “Satire 9,” Boileau emphasizes the dual purpose of satire when he writes:

"But satire, ever moral, ever new,
Delights the reader and instructs him, too.
She, if good sense, refine her sterling page,
Oft shakes some rooted folly of the age."

These lines suggest that true satire must be both entertaining and instructive. It should engage the reader with wit and humor while simultaneously correcting societal follies and encouraging moral reflection. Boileau stresses that satire must possess good sense—clarity, reason, and insight—to have a meaningful impact, and that it has the power to challenge entrenched foolishness in society.

When we consider Bhimnidhi Tiwari’s play “The Bull” in light of Boileau’s statement, the relevance of these lines becomes clear. “The Bull” is a social and moral satire that portrays the rigid, superstitious, and often absurd attitudes prevailing in certain sections of society. Tiwari’s use of humor, irony, and exaggeration not only entertains the audience but also invites them to reflect critically on social customs and human weaknesses. By exposing the follies of his characters, Tiwari follows the very principle Boileau outlines: satire should refine the moral sense of its audience and challenge outdated or foolish practices.

Therefore, Boileau’s assertion that satire is “ever moral, ever new” finds practical illustration in “The Bull”. Tiwari’s play delights the audience with its comedic elements, while simultaneously instructing them, prompting introspection, and advocating social reform. In this way, the lines from Boileau’s ninth satire resonate strongly with the essence and purpose of Tiwari’s work.

Conclusion: Boileau’s belief that satire should entertain and educate is effectively demonstrated in “The Bull”. The play exemplifies the timeless nature of satire: it is morally instructive, socially relevant, and capable of shaking the “rooted follies” of the age, just as Boileau envisioned.