Class 11: Chapter-5: A Tale of Melon City

Background of the Play / Poem

• Author: Vikram Seth (Indian poet, novelist, translator).
• Form: Narrative poem / satirical tale in verse.
• Genre: Political and social satire.
• Context: Uses humour and irony to expose absurdity in governance and the blind obedience of people to tradition.
• Moral: Power without wisdom leads to foolishness, but people often accept it quietly.

Character	Description
The King	“Just and gentle” but foolish; obsessed with formality over logic; symbol of blind authority.
The Builder / Workmen / Masons / Architect	Represent bureaucracy and the chain of blame in corrupt systems.
The Wise Man	Old and nearly blind; symbolizes hollow wisdom and hypocrisy in justice.
The Fool	Becomes king accidentally; ironically represents people’s stupidity and blind acceptance.
The Citizens	Obedient, passive, and unquestioning; prefer peace over reason.
The Melon	Symbol of absurd governance; reflects the city’s ignorance.

 Detailed Summary

The poem narrates a humorous yet meaningful story about a city ruled by a king who prided himself on being “just and gentle.” To beautify his capital, he ordered an arch to be built. When the king rode under it, the crown was knocked off his head, and in anger, he demanded the builder be hanged.

A ridiculous chain of blame followed — the builder blamed the workmen, they blamed the masons, the masons blamed the architect, and finally, the architect blamed the king himself for altering the design. The king, foolishly, almost decided to hang himself.

A wise man was summoned, who declared the arch guilty since it had struck the crown. The king agreed, but when the crowd laughed at this absurd decision, the king grew angry and declared that someone must be hanged. The noose fit the king himself, and he was executed.

By tradition, the citizens had to choose a new ruler — the one the noose fit next. The noose fit a fool, who was crowned king. The fool declared that a melon (his favorite fruit) would be the new ruler. From then on, the city was known as “Melon City.”

The citizens remained content, believing they had a fair ruler, showing their passive acceptance and lack of reason.
Key Words


· Satire

· Irony

· Foolishness

· Justice

· Tradition

· Blind obedience

· Absurdity

· Symbolism

· Melon (as symbol)

· Indifference

Device	Example / Use
Irony	A melon becomes king in a “just” city.
Satire	Mocking blind justice and bureaucracy.
Humour	Ridiculous reasoning and chain of blame.
Repetition	“Just and gentle king” – emphasizes irony.
Symbolism	Melon = foolishness, people’s apathy.
Personification	The “arch” treated as if guilty.
Rhyme Scheme	Irregular; simple to enhance storytelling rhythm.

 Summary in Points

1. The poem tells of a “just and gentle king” who wants fairness in his city.
2. He orders a tall arch to be built so people can admire it when passing.
3. When the king rides under it, the arch knocks off his crown — the king becomes angry.
4. He declares the chief of builders must be hanged for the blunder.
5. The builder blames the workmen, who blame the masons, who blame the architect.
6. The architect claims the king himself changed the design.
7. The king almost orders himself to be hanged, showing his foolishness.
8. A wise man is consulted; he says the real culprit should be the arch (since it hit the crown).
9. The arch is about to be hanged — the people laugh at this absurdity.
10. The king feels insulted and decides that someone must be hanged immediately to satisfy justice.
11. The tallest person in the crowd is the king himself!
12. The king is hanged.
13. Following the tradition, the people ask, “Who should be the next king?”
14. They decide that the next king will be the person the noose fits best.
15. The noose fits the city’s fool, and everyone proclaims him king.
16. The fool declares the city will be called “Melon City”, because a melon is his favorite fruit.
17. The citizens live happily ever after, proud to have a “wise and just” melon as their ruler — revealing their blind obedience and apathy.

Setting

• Place: An unnamed kingdom (later called Melon City).
• Time: Timeless — could be any period; symbolic.
• Atmosphere: Comic yet ironic, showing foolish seriousness in governance.

Perspective (Point of View)

• Told by a third-person omniscient narrator.
• The tone is objective, humorous, and detached, as if recounting a historical legend.

Central Idea

The poem exposes the ridiculous nature of blind justice and mindless governance.
It shows how people, instead of questioning authority, accept even absurd outcomes as “tradition.”

Themes

1. Absurdity of Justice – Punishment without logic or reason.
2. Satire on Governance – Foolish leaders and passive citizens.
3. Irony of Tradition – People accept whatever happens as “custom.”
4. Power and Responsibility – Authority without intelligence leads to chaos.
5. Public Apathy – Citizens’ indifference toward injustice.
6. Humour and Irony – Used to criticize society’s blind obedience.

Message

• Real justice requires wisdom, not rituals.
• People should think and question, not blindly follow.
• A society that tolerates foolish rulers becomes foolish itself.

Title Justification

• The title “A Tale of Melon City” is ironic.
• It hints at a fable-like story where the city ends up ruled by a melon, symbolizing the stupidity and complacency of its citizens.
• The absurd title suits the poem’s satirical tone perfectly.

Tone and Mood

·         Tone: Humorous, ironic, mocking, and detached.

·         Mood: Amusing on the surface but deeply critical and thought-provoking underneath.

Key Words

·         Satire

·         Irony

·         Foolishness

·         Justice

·         Tradition

·         Blind obedience

·         Absurdity

·         Symbolism

·         Melon (as symbol)

·         Indifference

 Flow Chart

A "Just and Gentle" King rules the city

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King orders an arch to be built to beautify the city

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Arch is completed → King rides under it → Crown knocked off his head

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King becomes angry and calls it a disgrace

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Orders the chief of builders to be hanged

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Builder blames the workmen

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Workmen blame the masons

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Masons blame the architect

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Architect blames the King (for changing design)

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King confused → almost orders himself to be hanged

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King calls for a wise man to give judgment

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Wise man (old and nearly blind) declares the arch guilty

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Arch is about to be hanged → crowd laughs

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King feels insulted → says “someone must be hanged”

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Search for the culprit → tallest person in city is the King himself

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King is hanged

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According to tradition → next ruler chosen by noose fit

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Noose fits the fool

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Fool becomes King → chooses melon as symbol of rule

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City named “Melon City”

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Citizens happy and content → proud to have a “just and gentle” ruler

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→ **Moral:** Blind obedience and foolish leadership make society absurd.