The Bull by Bhimnidhi Tiwari

 

A Comprehensive Summary and Analysis of Bhimnidhi Tiwari's "The Bull"

Bhimnidhi Tiwari's play, "The Bull," is a clever critique of the feudal system in Nepal during the late 1700s. The play uses satire, which means using humour to make fun of something serious, to show how absurd and unfair this system was. It exposes how people in power abused their positions and how ordinary people were treated poorly. The story focuses on a king's love for his bull and the hilarious lengths people go to hide its death.

What Happens in the Play?

The play starts with Laxminarayan Dahal, a stressed-out court official. He's in trouble because the king's favourite bull, Male, has died. He knows King Ranabahadur Shah is crazy about his bulls, and the king had threatened anyone who let his bulls die. Laxminarayan is terrified of what will happen to him.

He calls the two cowherds, Jitman and Gore, who were supposed to be looking after the bull. They're just as scared as he is. They all know the king is unpredictable and can be cruel.

Laxminarayan, being a sly (cunning) and quick-witted guy, comes up with a plan to delay the bad news. He tells the cowherds to keep quiet about the bull's death and pretend it's still alive.  He then rushes to the palace to try and break the news to the king gently, hoping to avoid any blame and maybe even get on the king's good side.

At the palace, Laxminarayan greets the king with over-the-top respect. He carefully tells the king that the bull is sick but doesn't say it's dead. Instead, he suggests that maybe the bull needs a change of scenery and should be taken to the hills for fresh air. The king, worried about his bull, agrees to this plan. But then, to Laxminarayan's horror, the king decides he wants to see the bull himself.

The scene shifts to the cowshed where the dead bull is lying on a bed. Jitman and Gore are anxiously waiting, knowing they could be in serious trouble. When they see the king's entourage arriving, they panic. Laxminarayan, ever the schemer, tells them to continue the act and pretend the bull is still alive.

King Ranabahadur arrives and starts talking to the dead bull as if it's still alive.  He's worried and tries to feed it bananas. The cowherds, following Laxminarayan's instructions, pretend to massage the bull's legs and fan it. Laxminarayan even pretends to give it medicine, even though it's obviously dead.

But eventually, the truth can't be hidden any longer – the king realises the bull is dead.

Now it's time for everyone to put on their best acting performance. Jitman and Gore start crying dramatically, saying they've lost their "father" and even threaten to hurt themselves. Laxminarayan joins in, pretending to be heartbroken and talking about how hard he worked to take care of the bull.

The king, seemingly moved by their fake sadness, gives them a lot of money to feel better. Jitman gets 400 rupees, and Gore gets 500. He tells them to bury the bull and have a proper funeral, promising to cover all the costs.

As soon as the king leaves, the act is over. Jitman and Gore, relieved they're not in trouble, are happy they survived.  They admit they didn't really care about the bull and were just putting on a show.

What Does the Play Mean?

"The Bull" is not just a funny story; it has a deeper meaning.

• It makes fun of the feudal system and shows how unfair it was. The king’s ridiculous obsession with his bull, while ignoring the well-being of his people, highlights how power was abused in the feudal system.
• It shows how ordinary people were treated like objects.  The cowherds, Jitman and Gore, have to lie and pretend just to survive. They're afraid of the king and have no real power.
• It makes us think about what's real and what's fake.  The characters are constantly pretending, showing how appearances can be deceiving.  They put on a show to keep themselves safe and get rewards.

Important Themes in the Play

• Power and Corruption:  The play shows how absolute power can make people cruel and selfish. The king cares more about his bull than his people, and the officials use their power to manipulate others.
• Appearance vs. Reality:  The characters pretend to feel things they don't, highlighting the importance of keeping up appearances in a society where those in power demand obedience and flattery.
• Social Inequality:  The play exposes the huge gap between the wealthy and powerful king and the ordinary people who live in fear of him.
• Materialism vs. Human Values:  The king's obsession with his bull represents a misplaced focus on material possessions.  He values his bull more than human life, which shows a messed-up sense of what's truly important.

Understanding the Characters

Each character in "The Bull" helps us understand the message of the play:

• Ranabahadur Shah:  The king is shown as a selfish and immature ruler who is more interested in his own feelings than the needs of his people. His love for his bull and his willingness to threaten people who don't care for it properly show how power can corrupt people.
• Laxminarayan Dahal:  He is a clever and ambitious man who knows how to work the system to his advantage. He's a master of lying and manipulating people, but he's also a survivor who does what he needs to do to stay safe.
• Jitman and Gore:  The cowherds represent the ordinary people who are trapped in a system where they have little power. They're afraid of the king and willing to do whatever it takes to avoid punishment, even if it means participating in a ridiculous lie.

The Significance of "The Bull"

"The Bull" is a powerful story that continues to be relevant today.  It reminds us to be aware of how power can be abused and how important it is to stand up for what is right. It encourages us to think critically about the systems we live in and to challenge injustice wherever we see it.  The play uses humour to make its point, which makes it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

EXTENSIVE READING

Bhimnidhi Tiwari's one-act play, "The Bull," serves as a potent critique of the feudal system prevalent in Nepal during the late eighteenth century. Through a satirical lens, the play exposes the absurdity of a system that prioritises the life of an animal over the well-being of its human subjects. Using humour and irony, Tiwari crafts a narrative that reveals the deep-seated inequalities and dehumanising effects of feudalism, while also highlighting the characters' manipulative tendencies and the pervasive (pervading) deception that permeates (spread throughout) such a hierarchical society.

Summary

The play opens with a sense of foreboding (a feeling that something bad will happen). Laxminarayan Dahal, a court official burdened with the title of Subedar and the role of a bichari (legal officer), finds himself in a predicament (difficult situation). The king's beloved bull, Male, has died.  Knowing King Ranabahadur Shah's obsessive attachment to the animal and the dire consequences that could follow, Laxminarayan is gripped by fear.  He immediately summons the two cowherds responsible for the bull's care, Jitman and Gore.  The news is met with shared terror; they all understand the gravity of the situation.

Laxminarayan, a shrewd and opportunistic man, concocts (put together) a plan to delay the inevitable confrontation with the king. He instructs the cowherds to remain silent about the bull's death and to continue tending to the lifeless animal as if it were still alive. He then sets off to the palace, hoping to break the news to the king in a manner that would mitigate his own culpability (guilt/fault) and perhaps even work to his advantage.

At the palace, Laxminarayan greets the king with excessive reverence (great respect), using the traditional "Swosti! Swosti! Swosti!" salutation. He proceeds to inform the king that the bull is unwell, carefully avoiding any mention of death. Instead, he suggests that a change of climate might be beneficial for the ailing animal. The king, concerned but not yet alarmed, readily agrees to have the bull transported to the hills.  However, he then decides to visit the bull himself, much to Laxminarayan's dismay.

The scene shifts to the cowshed at Thulo Gauchar, where the dead bull lies on a mattress, attended to by the anxious cowherds. Jitman and Gore, acutely aware of the potential repercussions (consequences), express their fear and contemplate (look at) escape, even as they acknowledge the futility of such an attempt. The arrival of the king's convoy (group) heightens the tension, and Laxminarayan, ever the manipulator, hastily directs the cowherds to maintain the charade (mockery).

King Ranabahadur Shah enters the cowshed, addressing the lifeless bull with affection and concern. He is met with the orchestrated performance of the cowherds, who pretend to massage the bull's legs and fan him, as Laxminarayan continues to administer useless medicines. The king, initially oblivious (not aware of or concerned about what is happening around one) to the deception, attempts to feed the bull bananas, but soon the reality becomes inescapable – the bull is dead.

The revelation is met with feigned (pretended) grief. Jitman and Gore launch into exaggerated displays of sorrow, lamenting the loss of their "father" and threatening self-harm out of despair.  Laxminarayan, not to be outdone, joins the chorus of lamentation, highlighting his own supposed sacrifices in caring for the bull.

The king, moved by their apparent devotion, offers them large sums of money as consolation. Jitman receives four hundred rupees, while Gore is granted five hundred.  He then orders them to bury the bull and perform the necessary funeral rites, assuring them that he will bear the expenses.

As soon as the king departs, the charade (mockery) is dropped.  Jitman and Gore, relieved to have escaped punishment, express their gratitude for their survival, acknowledging the absurdity of the situation and revealing their true indifference towards the dead bull.

Analysis

Satire of the Feudal System:  The play's central focus is its scathing (devastating) critique of the feudal system, where the inherent inequalities and injustices are laid bare through the absurd scenario of the king's grief over his bull. The king's disproportionate (too large or too small in comparison of something else) concern for the animal's well-being, contrasted with his callous (heartless) disregard for the lives of his human subjects, underscores the warped power dynamics of the feudal hierarchy. The play exposes the system's inherent flaws, where the whims and desires of the ruling class take precedence over the basic needs and rights of the common people.

Dehumanisation of the Lower Class: "The Bull" poignantly illustrates the dehumanising effects of feudalism, where individuals are reduced to mere instruments for fulfilling the desires of those in power. The cowherds, Jitman and Gore, are forced to suppress their own emotions and engage in elaborate acts of deception to appease the king, demonstrating their powerlessness and lack of agency within the system. Their value is measured solely by their usefulness to the king, and their lives are considered expendable, highlighting the stark social inequalities that underpin feudal society.

Absurdity and Humour:  The play's humour arises from the sheer absurdity of the situation – a king's obsessive attachment to a bull, the elaborate charade orchestrated to conceal its death, and the exaggerated displays of grief that follow. This absurdity serves to underscore the play's critique of the feudal system and its illogical power dynamics.  The humour, while entertaining, has a sharp edge, exposing the ridiculousness of a system that places so much value on an animal while neglecting the welfare of its human subjects.

Character Development:  Each character in "The Bull" contributes to the play's larger critique of the feudal system.

• Ranabahadur Shah: The king is portrayed as a capricious (unstable) and self-absorbed ruler, more concerned with his own emotions than the well-being of his subjects.  His threat to the bull doctor foreshadows his potential for cruelty and underscores the precariousness of life under his rule.  His obsessive attachment to the bull and his willingness to lavish it with care while remaining indifferent to the plight of his human subjects highlight the warped priorities and moral bankruptcy that often accompany absolute power.
• Laxminarayan Dahal:  He embodies the cunning and self-serving nature of those who thrive within a corrupt system. His quick thinking and manipulative tendencies enable him to navigate the treacherous waters of the court, ensuring his own survival. He is a master of deception, effortlessly weaving lies and manipulating the situation to his advantage.
• Jitman and Gore: The cowherds, while initially fearful, quickly adapt to the situation and use their feigned grief to secure financial rewards.  Their actions, while driven by self-preservation, also reveal a certain cunning and opportunism.  They understand the rules of the game and are willing to play along, highlighting the pervasive nature of deception within the feudal system.

Themes

Power and Corruption: "The Bull" explores the corrupting influence of absolute power and its impact on both the ruler and the ruled. The king's obsession with the bull and his disregard for human life demonstrate the dangers of unchecked power, while the actions of Laxminarayan and the cowherds reveal how a corrupt system breeds deceit and manipulation.

Appearance vs. Reality: The play contrasts the characters' outward displays of grief with their true feelings, highlighting the prevalence of deception and the importance of maintaining a façade in a society governed by strict social hierarchies and the whims of a capricious ruler. The characters' performance of grief underscores the gap between public persona and private reality, and how survival often depends on conforming to the expectations of those in power.

Social Inequality: The play lays bare the stark social inequalities that characterise the feudal system.  The king's lavish treatment of the bull, in stark contrast to his indifference to the suffering of his subjects, underscores the immense gulf between the ruling class and the common people. The cowherds' precarious existence and their constant fear of punishment highlight the vulnerability of those at the bottom of the social hierarchy.

Materialism vs. Human Values: "The Bull" critiques the feudal system's focus on material possessions and social status, at the expense of human values such as compassion and empathy.  The king's valuing of an animal over the well-being of his subjects reflects a distorted sense of priorities, where material wealth and symbolic power overshadow basic human decency. The play serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritising human values in any social system.

Conclusion

"The Bull" is a powerful and enduring work of social commentary. Through its satirical lens, it exposes the flaws and injustices inherent in the feudal system, highlighting the dehumanising effects of power and the pervasive deception that thrives within such a hierarchical society.  The play's enduring relevance lies in its exploration of themes that resonate across time and cultures: the corrupting influence of power, the struggle for survival in a system rigged against the powerless, and the importance of upholding human dignity and values in the face of oppression.