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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate7 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The Tale of Melon City is a satirical poem that narrates the story of a passive king whose quest for justice in a trivial matter leads to his downfall. After being dissatisfied with the construction of an arch that knocks off his crown, the king demands the hanging of those responsible, only to end up being hanged himself by decree. The citizens then install a melon as their ruler, content as long as they enjoy peace and liberty under its rule.
Key Topics
- •Justice and leadership
- •Irony and humour in politics
- •Absurdity in governance
- •Satire on political systems
- •Symbolism in literature
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the use of satire in literature.
- ✓Analyze the themes of justice and irony in a narrative.
- ✓Identify symbolism and its impact on storytelling.
- ✓Evaluate the role of governance and leadership in society.
Questions in Chapter
Narrate ‘The Tale of Melon City’ in your own words.
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What impression would you form of a state where the King was ‘just and placid’?
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How, according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?
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Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humour and irony.
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‘The Tale of Melon City’ has been narrated in a verse form. This is a unique style which lends extra charm to an ancient tale. Find similar examples in your language. Share them in the class.
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Additional Practice Questions
What does the melon symbolize in the tale?
mediumAnswer: The melon symbolizes passive leadership and the absurdity of power, where the citizens prefer an inanimate ruler as long as they have peace and liberty.
How is irony manifested in the poem 'The Tale of Melon City'?
mediumAnswer: Irony in the poem is seen when a king is hanged as a result of his demand for justice, and a simple-minded decision by an idiot replaces the king with a melon, highlighting the absurdity of the situation.
Discuss how Vikram Seth uses humour to convey the story's message.
hardAnswer: Seth uses humour by exaggerating the characters' actions, like the nonsensical blame game and the arbitrary decision to crown a melon as the king, to critique political systems.
Evaluate the theme of justice and its implications in the poem.
hardAnswer: The theme of justice is critically examined as the king's exaggerated sense of justice leads to his own demise, suggesting that rigid adherence to rules can lead to chaos.
How does the poem reflect on human nature and governance?
hardAnswer: The poem reflects on human nature by showcasing the tendency towards absurdity in governance when power is misapplied or misunderstood.