Class XI English Core [Snapshots] Chapter - 5: The Tale of Melon City by Vikram Seth

 [Snapshots] Chapter - 8 The Tale of Melon City by Vikram Seth

 Glossary
1. just– based on or behaving according to what is morally right and fair
2. placid– calm
3. proclaimed- announce officially or publicly.
4. arch- a curved symmetrical structure spanning an opening and typically supporting the weight of a bridge, roof, or wall above it.
5. triumphally- Celebrating or commemorating a victory
6. span- Time
7. thoroughfare– a main road in a town
8. edify- instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually
9. spectators– onlookers
10. frown- a facial expression indicating disapproval, displeasure, or concentration, characterised    by a furrowing of one’s brows.
11. gallows- a structure, typically of two uprights and a crosspiece, for the hanging of criminals
12. halt- bring or come to an abrupt stop
13. summon– order someone to be present
14. masons- a person skilled in cutting, dressing, and laying stone in buildings
15. quivering- trembling or shaking with a slight rapid motion
16. architect- a person who designs buildings and in many cases also supervises their construction
17. ordain- order (something) officially
18. amendments– a minor change or addition designed to improve something
19. saw red- became angry
20. counsel– advice, especially that given formally
21. quavering- (of a person’s voice) shake or tremble in speaking, typically through nervousness or emotion.
22. scaffold- a raised wooden platform used formerly for the public execution of criminals.
23. mused- say to oneself in a thoughtful manner
24. noose- a loop with a running knot, tightening as the rope or wire is pulled and used to trap animals or hang people
25. decree- an official order that has the force of law
26. unruly- disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control
27.  against the Crown– questioning the power, integrity and honesty of the state
28. pondered- think about (something) carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion
29. heralds- an official employed to oversee state ceremonial, precedence, and the use of armorial bearings, and (historically) to make proclamations, carry official messages, and oversee tournaments
30. proclaim- announce officially or publicly
31. reverently- with deep and solemn respect
32. seems to be well-established there.
33. customary– according to the customs or usual practices associated with a particular society, place, or set of circumstances
34. rejoice- feel or show great joy or delight
35. laissez faire- the policy of leaving things to take their own course, without interfering

 Synopsis 

The Tale of Melon City runs like a folk tale. The city is called Melon City because its ruler is a melon. There is a curious tale about it. Once a fair and easygoing king ruled over a state. He got an arch built across the thoroughfare. As he passed under the low arch it struck his head and he lost his crown. He thought it a disgrace and ordered the chief of builders to be hanged. The chief lay the blame on the workmen. The workmen were surprised. They said that the bricks were made of the wrong size. So the masons were thought guilty.

The masons shifted the blame to the architect. The architect put the blame at the king's door as he amended his original plan. The king sought a wise man's counsel. He held the arch guilty and ordered it to be hanged. A councillor objected to it as it had touched the king's head. The people became restless. They wanted to see someone hanging. Only the king's head could fit the noose. So he was hanged. It was now announced that the next man who passed. The city gate would choose the king. An idiot came. He suggested A Melon. So the melon was crowned the king. He was taken to the throne. He was called the melon king.

Poem Analysis

Background of the Poem
1. Mappings - It is a book of poems written by Vikram Seth.
2. After Idries Shah - Idries Shah wrote 'The Tale of Melon City' as a short story in his book, The Caravan of Dreams. That story was converted into a poem by Vikram Seth. The poem is similar in style to folklore(traditional stories and beliefs)but written in a satirical way (criticising people or ideas in a humorous way) and ironical twists using couplets which do not break with the end of a line. The King is described throughout as 'just' and 'placid'. However, the irony lies in the execution of this 'justice' and 'calmness' which is carried too far by both the king and his ministers.

Tone of the Poem: The Tale of The Melon City has an ironic tone. Since the beginning of the poem, many incidents occur that highlight the irony of the situation. It is humorously presented by Seth.

“In the city of which I sing
There was a ‘just’ and ‘placid’ King.”
The king is described as someone who is fair and calm-minded, which is not true. The king lacks emotional as well as social intelligence. He makes irrational decisions that lead to his downfall, something that he does not realise.
The king has positive intentions of improving the morality of his kingdom “To Edify spectators there”, which he, unfortunately, failed to achieve. The low arch implies the low morals of the people. The king’s crown fell because it crashed with the low arch and was completely taken away from him because of his ignorance and base mentality. The irony of the poem peaks with the verses.

“Thank Goodness we found someone, said
  The ministers, for if instead
  We had not, the unruly town
  Might well have turned against the crown”.
Ministers here show their concern about the public’s reaction and that they will turn against the king. It makes readers laugh because they actually turned against the king. They let their king die for the sake of their entertainment. Ministers of the kingdom are practical enough to understand the kingdom needs a ‘ king,’ but at the same time, they crowned the ‘Melon’ as the king. Another instance that adds irony and comic effect is “Long Live the King, The King Is Dead.”

 Humour and Irony in The Tale of Melon City: Construction of curved structure/ king's riding under the low arch and losing the crown. The way the accused appeals to the king/self-defence of architect / holistic blame game/selection criteria of the wisest toothless and intestine less / is quite ridiculous. king/ his fickle-mindedness

 Central Idea - The central idea of the poem is It is the folly of ignorance and irrationality that leads to the downfall of the king along with the citizens. The king dies in his own attempt at giving punishment to the ignorant person who made the low arch of the city. After a series of blame games, it was found that it was the king who amended the design of the arch and hanged himself.

Themes of the Poem

1. Irony - In the poem, the poet explains how a petty matter leads to the death of a king and how foolish the people of that kingdom are. The king is described as placid and just. However ironically, he becomes furious at just a small matter and orders the hanging of the culprits.
2. Lack of wisdom - Even the wise men are fools. They choose melon because of their lack of wisdom. The whole poem is replete with humour and depicts the insensible behaviour of the people of Melon City.
3. Feeble Mentality and Selfishness — Seth has indicated the selfishness, egocentricity, ignorance, and mob mentality of the people. People don’t care about who rules them or how they rule them as long as it doesn’t interfere with their freedom and peace.
4. Absence of Loyalty—The ministers responsible for serving the kingdom lack loyalty. They did not guide or stop the king from taking an irrational step. They accepted the idiot’s decision to crown a melon without giving it a second thought, which shows they never cared for the king or the kingdom's people.
5.  Dark Side of human nature - People living in Melon City do not have regard for human life. People cannot hold themselves responsible for their actions. Instead of accepting flaws and finding solutions, society chooses an easy way that is putting the blame on others. 
6. Anger and impulsive decision making - The King’s  anger and irrational decision to hang the culprits led to a series of incidents, which in the end, ended with his own life
7.  ‘Laissez-faire government - It is a French term. It also means the doctrine of avoiding government interference in business. So, these principles worked well in the melon city “when a melon was made the king and that did not interfere with the lives of his subjects. They were happy till the king let them live in peace and liberty.

Message: Vikram Seth gives a message that through thoughtless action people choose an irresponsible government and the whole kingdom would turn into a farce. People need to be wise and careful in choosing their governments which in turn should be responsible and transparent to the people

Underlying Message: The underlying message of this poem is that one should always use his wisdom and intelligence to survive. In the poem, the king dies because of his foolishness.                                      
 Poetic Devices of the Poem

1. Alliteration: It is the use of the same sound at the beginning of words that are close together. e.g. "long live the king", "the workmen went."
2. Repetition: It is the repetition of words and phrases of poetic effect. e.g. "Long live the king".
3. Irony: It is a situation in which there is a contrast between expectation and reality. e.g. in the poem, the king is described as just and placid. But in reality, he becomes angry at small matters. There are many ironic situations in the poem. e.g. the king is hanged over a petty matter. The people choose a melon as their king.
4. Inversion: It is the reversal of the normal order of the words and phrases in a sentence for poetic effect. e.g. "Truly, the arch it was that".
5. Onomatopoeia: It is the formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. e.g. "Muttering" and "Quivering."   

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Question

Question 1: How does the absurdity of the King's decisions in The Tale of Melon City reflect the dangers of blind obedience and the importance of questioning authority? Discuss with examples from the poem.

Answer 1: The King's absurd decisions show the dangers of unquestioned authority, highlighting the importance of critical thinking and accountability. Blind obedience can lead to irrational outcomes, as seen in the shifting blame.

Value-Based Question (VBQ)
Question 2: In The Tale of Melon City, the King’s arbitrary decision-making leads to chaos. What values can we learn from the King's actions, and how can these apply to leadership in real life?

Answer 2: The King’s arbitrary actions highlight the importance of fairness, responsibility, and transparency in leadership. Leaders should make informed, thoughtful decisions to avoid chaos and promote justice in society.