⭐ THE BULL – SUMMARY (DETAILED BUT SIMPLE)

By Bhimnidhi Tiwari | 

“The Bull” is a one-act satirical play set in the late 18th century, during the reign of King Ranabahadur Shah, the grandson of Prithvi Narayan Shah. The king is obsessed with bulls and treats them with more care, luxury, and importance than human beings. This historical background forms the basis of the play, which exposes the cruelty and injustice of the feudal system of Nepal.

⭐ Scene I – The Bull Dies

The play begins in the early morning at Laxminarayan Dahal’s yard. Laxminarayan, a Subedar, bichari (court officer), and bull doctor, is irritated at his wives for not bringing his hookah.

Suddenly, the two cowherds—Jitman and Gore—arrive breathlessly. They inform him that Male, the king’s beloved bull, has just died. This terrifies all three men because the king had warned:

“If anyone brings me the news that a bull has died, he will be shaved or beheaded.”

Fearing for their lives, they panic. Jitman wants to run away to save his family; Gore regrets feeding the bull luxury foods that made it sick. Laxminarayan is equally frightened because the king once burnt his mouth for speaking too loudly.

Laxminarayan instructs the cowherds to keep the bull’s death secret while he goes to inform the king tactfully, hoping to save everyone’s life.

⭐ Scene II – At Basantapur Palace

Laxminarayan approaches the palace and respectfully calls for the king’s attention. Using extremely flattering language, he tells the king that the bull is not eating, moving, or responding.

The king becomes worried and asks:

“Has he died?”

Laxminarayan cleverly avoids saying “dead” and instead describes the bull’s beauty, strength, and uniqueness. He suggests taking the bull to the hill for a change of climate. Impressed, the king agrees and orders Laxminarayan to accompany the bull.

Then the king suddenly decides:

“I will go see him myself.”

This terrifies Laxminarayan again, but he has no choice except to obey. The king, Laxminarayan, and soldiers leave the palace in a convoy.

⭐ Scene III – At Thulo Gauchar (Cowshed)

At the cowshed, the bull lies dead on a thick mattress. Jitman and Gore fear they will be executed once the king sees the bull’s body. Laxminarayan rushes in and instructs them:

• Jitman should massage the bull’s legs

• Gore should fan the bull

• They must not say “the bull is dead”

• They must keep acting as if the bull is alive

The king arrives and calls out:

“Male! Get up!”

He brings bananas, calls the bull repeatedly, but there is no movement. Finally, he realizes:

“He has died.”

Upon hearing this, Jitman and Gore begin crying loudly, pretending deep sorrow to save their lives. They praise the bull like a family member. Laxminarayan also pretends to cry and emotionally praises the bull’s strength and youth.

The king, though irritated, gives:

• 400 rupees to Jitman

• 500 rupees to Gore

He orders Laxminarayan to perform the funeral rites himself and promises to “take care” of their worries.

When the king leaves, the cowherds immediately rejoice:

“We survived! Thank God!”

The play ends with humor but carries a sharp criticism of the feudal system, which valued an animal more than human beings.

⭐ THEME OF THE PLAY

• Extreme power inequality

• Fear-based relationship between king and subjects

• Absurdity of feudal culture

• Dehumanization of people

• Survival through flattery and trickery

• Satire of blind loyalty

⭐ UNDERSTANDING THE TEXT – ANSWERS

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

They come running to tell Laxminarayan that Male, the king’s favorite bull, has died, and they fear they will be punished.

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

They believe the bull died because it was fed luxury foods like rice, lentil soup, bananas, sugarcane, and guavas—food unsuitable for a grass-eating animal.

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

He wants to confirm Male’s condition personally because the bull is very dear to him, and he doesn’t trust others easily about matters concerning the bull.

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

He runs ahead to prepare the cowherds and instruct them to pretend that the bull is still alive so that they all can avoid the king’s anger and punishment.

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

They cry loudly to show loyalty and save their lives, pretending deep grief so the king won’t punish them.

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

We learn the bull is dead because it doesn’t move, eat, bellow, breathe, or react. Its eyes are still, its tail is loose, and its ears drooped.

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

The play shows that feudal kings valued bulls more than human beings, punished subjects harshly, and forced people to use flattery and trickery to survive. It mocks the cruelty, absurdity, and blind power of feudal rule.

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

The play revolves around the death of Male, the king’s favorite bull. The cowherds, Gore and Jitman, inform Laxminarayan about the bull’s death and fear punishment from the king. Laxminarayan tactfully informs the king, avoiding the word “dead.” The king visits the bull, discovers it is truly dead, and the cowherds and Laxminarayan pretend to cry to save themselves. The king rewards them instead of punishing them. The play ends with the cowherds rejoicing at escaping danger. The plot exposes the oppressive and absurd feudal system where animals were valued above humans.

⭐ REFERENCE TO THE CONTEXT – ANSWERS

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

In the play, the king holds absolute power and subjects must obey him without question. Fear, flattery, and submission define the relationship. People’s lives depend on the king’s mood. Even minor issues—like a bull dying—become life-threatening. This shows that society was feudal, hierarchical, oppressive, and based on blind loyalty.

b. What does the relation between Laxminarayan and his wives tell us about society of that time? Has Nepali society changed?

Laxminarayan shouts at his wives and treats them carelessly, which reflects the patriarchal society of that time. Women were not respected equally and had little voice or freedom.
Today, Nepali society has changed significantly—women have more rights, education, representation, and legal protection, though some patriarchal attitudes still exist.

c. Shed light on the practice of chakari in the play. Do you notice it in your society?

Chakari means flattery and servitude to gain favor from powerful people. Laxminarayan constantly flatters the king to save his life. Cowherds also cry falsely to impress the king.
Even today, similar practices exist—people praise powerful figures, bend rules, and act obediently to gain jobs, protection, or benefits.

d. How does Laxminarayan outsmart Ranabahadur?

He avoids saying “the bull is dead,” uses clever words, prays, cries, flatters, and manipulates the situation. He convinces the king to move the bull to the hills and pretends to take care of the bull. In the end, instead of being punished, he receives the king’s trust and rewards. His intelligence saves everyone.

e. Sketch the character of Laxminarayan.

Laxminarayan is cunning, clever, fearful, manipulative, loyal on the surface, and a master of flattery. He knows how to talk to the king to avoid danger. He is also emotional, dramatic, and crafty. Despite his fear, he handles every situation smartly, proving himself a survivor in a dangerous feudal system.

⭐ REFERENCE BEYOND THE TEXT

a. Essay: “The Nepali Society: Past, Present and Future”