The Gentlemen of the Jungle Kannada Summary / 1st PUC English Karnataka

Summary

The story unfolds in the jungle, where a kind man lets an elephant shelter during a thunderstorm, only for the elephant to take advantage of the situation. This leads to a commission of inquiry, where jungle authorities, including a lion and other animals, rule in favor of the elephant's actions. The man, facing injustice, eventually builds a new hut and sets it on fire, resulting in peace. The tale explores themes of power dynamics, colonialism, and the manipulation of systems for personal gain, with the jungle serving as an allegory for societal and legal struggles.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story is set in the late 19th century, reflecting the attitude of the Kenyan people towards European laws and commissions.
• 😀 The story begins with an act of kindness from a man toward an elephant during a heavy thunderstorm, which is misunderstood by the elephant as weakness.
• 😀 The elephant, after receiving shelter from the man, takes advantage of the situation by pushing the man out of his hut.
• 😀 The Lion King, ruling the jungle, intervenes and orders a commission of inquiry to address the dispute between the elephant and the man.
• 😀 The commission includes notable jungle figures like Mr. Buffalo, Mr. Alligator, Mr. Fox, and Mr. Leopard, who are tasked with investigating the matter.
• 😀 The man feels assured that the commission, chosen by the King, will bring him justice, but is soon told that no one from his side is educated in jungle law.
• 😀 The elephant defends his actions by claiming that he was protecting the man’s interests and that the space in the hut should be used more economically.
• 😀 The commission ultimately sides with the elephant, stating that he fulfilled his duty and that the undeveloped space should be put to better use.
• 😀 The man, though unhappy with the verdict, is advised to find another site to build a new hut to avoid further conflict with the jungle authorities.
• 😀 Eventually, the man takes matters into his own hands, setting the hut on fire while the animals are inside, as a final act of rebellion and to regain his peace.

Q & A

What does the story reflect about the people of Kenya's attitude toward European laws and commissions?

The story reflects the Kenyan people's skepticism and resentment toward European laws and commissions, especially as they were seen as tools of foreign control and exploitation.

What was the misunderstanding between the elephant and the man?

The misunderstanding occurred when the elephant, seeking shelter from a storm, was allowed to put his trunk inside the man's hut. However, the elephant pushed further into the hut, displacing the man, which led to the argument.

How did the Lion King become involved in the dispute between the elephant and the man?

The Lion King became involved when he heard the disturbance caused by the elephant and the man arguing. He sought to maintain peace and tranquility in the jungle, so he decided to appoint a commission of inquiry.

What members were appointed to the commission of inquiry?

The commission consisted of Mr. Buffalo, Mr. Alligator, the retired honorable Mr. Fox as chairman, and Mr. Leopard as the secretary.

Why did the man protest about the commission's members, and how was he reassured?

The man protested because none of the commission members were from his side or understood his perspective. He was reassured that the members were chosen by God and would conduct the inquiry with care.

What was the elephant's defense in the commission's inquiry?

The elephant defended his actions by claiming that it was his duty to protect the man's interests, and that he had misunderstood the invitation to take shelter as a call to help safeguard the hut from a hurricane.

What was the commission's verdict after hearing both sides?

The commission sided with the elephant, stating that he had fulfilled his duty of protecting the man's interests. They argued that the space in the hut should have been used more economically, suggesting a compromise where the elephant could remain in the hut while the man would build another.

How did the man react to the commission's verdict?

The man accepted the verdict, fearing the consequences of defying the commission. He followed the advice to build another hut, though he was unhappy with the decision.

What was the man's final action after witnessing the animals' behavior in the jungle?

The man took advantage of the animals fighting over the newly built hut and set it on fire while they were inside, ultimately destroying it. This was his way of finding peace and relief from the jungle's domination.

What is the overarching moral or lesson of the story?

The story highlights themes of exploitation, the abuse of power, and the consequences of not standing up against injustice. It also illustrates how those in power can manipulate systems to their advantage, often at the expense of the weaker parties.