What Is The Tale of Melon City About? Plot Summary & Meaning
In this poem by Vikram Seth, the poet makes fun of how governments work and how people are proud of old customs and traditions. The story is about a city where the rules are based on superstitions and old beliefs. The king seems to be peaceful, but soon we see how that isn't true. The king tries to bring peace by punishing even small mistakes, and his actions lead to innocent people being punished. The poem shows how some people escape the law, while others take advantage of unfair rules. Through The Tale of Melon City, Seth points out the problems in some government systems. Read ahead in the article to get the Tale of Melon City Summary.
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The Tale of Melon City Short Summary
The Tale of Melon City is a poem by Vikram Seth that tells the story of a king who wants to establish peace in his city. However, his rule becomes unfair as he punishes people for even the smallest mistakes. The king orders the execution of innocent people, and the poem shows how the law can be misused. It highlights the flaws in government systems, where policies are based on old beliefs and superstitions, and how people sometimes benefit from unfair rules.
The Tale of Melon City Summary Stanza Wise
Stanza 1: The king of a city decides to build an archway in the middle of the city. He gives instructions for it to be built, but when the arch is completed, he is not happy with the height. He blames the architect for the mistake and orders the architect to be punished.
Stanza 2: The architect, however, claims that the mistake was not his. He says that the builder made the error and should be held responsible. The king then orders the builder to be punished instead.
Stanza 3: The builder also defends himself, saying that the mistake was made by the mason. The king orders the mason to be punished, but the mason claims that the error was made by the workers who mixed the materials.
Stanza 4: The workers, in turn, blame the stone supplier for providing bad stones, which led to the mistake. The stone supplier, however, says that the mistake was due to the city's ruler's orders and that the king himself is responsible for the problem.
Stanza 5: The king, not knowing what to do, asks his advisors to find someone to blame. They suggest that the fault lies with the people, who should be punished. But the king soon realises that punishing anyone won't fix the situation.
Stanza 6: In a final attempt to find justice, the king decides to hold a public trial and let the people decide. To everyone's surprise, they vote to blame the king himself for the entire issue. As a result, the king decides to take responsibility for the mistake and orders his execution.
Stanza 7: In the end, the king’s decision to take the blame and accept his fate shows the absurdity of the situation. The people of the city, instead of focusing on the real issue, point to the king’s mistake, which reflects the ridiculousness of the entire process and the unjust nature of the law.
Literary Devices in The Tale of Melon City
Alliteration – This is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Examples from the poem include "The Workmen Went" and "Tricky Thing."
Repetition – Certain words and phrases are repeated throughout the poem for emphasis, such as "The Chief of Builders."
Inversion – This is when the usual word order is changed to create a more poetic effect. In The Tale of The Melon City, Vikram Seth uses this device to give the poem a more lyrical quality.
Conclusion
The story shows how ignorance and wrong use of power can lead to trouble. It teaches us a lesson about making decisions without thinking. The king tries to punish the person who made the arch too low, but in the end, he ends up causing his downfall. After a lot of blaming, it turns out that the king himself changed the design of the arch, and this led to his execution. The story reminds us that when people don’t care about right or wrong, they can end up choosing a foolish leader. It shows how bad decisions and pride can cause problems.
FAQs on The Tale of Melon City: Summary, Themes & Key Insights
1. Could you provide a brief summary of Vikram Seth's poem, 'The Tale of Melon City' for quick revision?
This satirical poem tells the story of a “just and placid” king who, after his crown is knocked off by a newly built low arch, demands someone be hanged. The blame is passed from the chief of builders to the workmen, the masons, and the architect. When the wisest man suggests the arch itself is the culprit, the arch cannot be hanged. The blame finally lands back on the king, who is executed by his own decree. As per custom, the next person to pass the City Gate, an idiot who only says “A melon,” chooses a melon to be the new ruler, which the citizens peacefully accept.
2. What is the central theme and what does the melon symbolise in 'The Tale of Melon City'?
The central theme is a satire on poor governance, mindless bureaucracy, and public apathy. The poem criticises foolish leadership and the blind obedience of the masses. The melon, which is crowned king, symbolises the ultimate absurdity of the situation. It represents a ruler chosen by random chance and accepted without question, highlighting the complete breakdown of sense and reason in the state.
3. What are the key poetic devices used in 'The Tale of Melon City'?
For a quick revision, focus on these main literary devices used by Vikram Seth:
- Satire: The entire poem uses humour and exaggeration to mock the foolishness of the king, his ministers, and the customs of the city.
- Irony: The key irony is that the “just” king, in his quest for justice, becomes a victim of his own foolish decree. The arch, intended as a monument of triumph, leads directly to his downfall.
- Humour: The narrative is filled with comical situations, from the frantic passing of the blame to the bizarre crowning of a melon.
4. How do the actions of the king's ministers reflect the state's administration?
The ministers' actions reveal a weak and sycophantic administration. They are more concerned with following procedure and pleasing the king than with applying logic or justice. When the king is in a dilemma, they offer clever but ultimately nonsensical solutions. Their final act of following the custom to crown a melon shows they are bureaucrats who prioritise process over common sense, contributing to the state's absurd nature.
5. Why do the citizens in the poem so easily accept a melon as their king?
The citizens accept a melon as their king due to their adherence to tradition and the principle of laissez-faire (non-interference). After the king's execution, the ministers mechanically followed the 'old custom' of choosing the next ruler. The people, accustomed to not interfering in state affairs, were content as long as they could live in 'peace and liberty'. Their acceptance highlights how unthinking obedience and a lack of civic responsibility can lead to absurd governance.
6. How does 'The Tale of Melon City' serve as a commentary on the dangers of unchecked authority?
The poem is a sharp commentary on the perils of unchecked authority. The king's power is absolute, and his single, impulsive decision to punish someone for the low arch sets off a chaotic chain of events. No one dares to question his flawed logic. This concentration of power without accountability leads to his own absurd death and the installation of an inanimate object as a ruler, illustrating how autocratic systems can self-destruct through their own internal foolishness.
7. What is the significance of the poem's title in understanding its core message?
The title, 'The Tale of Melon City,' is significant because it reframes the city's identity not by its people or history, but by the ridiculous outcome of their collective folly. The ending, where the citizens are content with their melon king, reinforces the poem's core message: people often prioritise non-interference over sensible governance. The tale becomes a legend that normalises the absurd, showing how society can accept irrationality as long as it does not disrupt daily life.
