Tale of the melon city Flashcards
What do you mean by the principles of ‘Laissez faire’? Did they apply in the state ruled by the
melon king?
Yes, the principles of ‘Laissez faire’ applied to the state ruled by the melon king. The
principles meant that the state had the policy of allowing private business to develop without
government control.
- How did the people and ministers react to the selection of ‘a melon’ as the new ruler?
They reverently carried the melon to the throne and placed it there. If, years later they were
asked to explain how the melon became their King, they would reply that it didn’t matter to them who
was the King as long as he left them in peace and liberty.
Why did the ministers feel relieved? Do you think their elation was justified?
The ministers felt relieved because if they had not found someone, the unruly town might
have turned against the crown. The elation was more ironical because now the town was actually
without a crown as the King was hanged due to his own foolishness.
. What does the comment of the councillor about the arch reveal about himself and the King?
As soon as the arch was led to the gallows for hanging, the councillor commented on how
they could hang so shamefully the arch that touched his head. The comment reveals that he was a
clever man and very cunningly persuaded the King to change his mind. The King being fickle minded
himself, argued to postpone the consideration of finer points like guilt
Why did the king need some counsel and from whom? Do you think the man was really the
wisest one? Give a reason for your answer
The King needed a counsel from the wisest man in the country. He needed a counsel when
the architect blamed the King himself for having forgotten that he had made changes in the plans. This
made him very angry. The wise man was not really the wisest one as he could not choose the right
culprit
Comment upon the criteria of selection of the wisest man and the quality of counsel he
offered?
: The wisest man, according to the King’s courtiers was carried to the court. He could neither
walk nor see. He was very old and hence was selected. The counsel he offered was that since the arch
had banged the King’s crown off, so the arch should be hanged. This was a very ridiculous and absurd
suggestion.
Who was held responsible for the disgrace? How did he/ they react to it? What do you learn
about the king?
The ‘chief of builders’ was held responsible for the disgrace when the King’s crown fell
under the low arch. He reacted angrily and ordered the offender to be hanged at the gallows. We learn
that the king had an ego. He was stubborn and short tempered.
. What sort of king ruled over the state? What did he proclaim?
The king who ruled over the state was just and placid. He proclaimed that an arch should be
constructed over the major thoroughfare in the city in order to benefit the spectators.
What is meant by the concepts of “peace and liberty” in the poem? Is the poet mocking these
concepts? Give reasons for your answer.
The author ridicules the system of governance where an idiot chooses a melon to be the king
and people accept this decision so that they can live in ‘peace and liberty’ without any interference.
The poem can be seen as an indictment of the concept of laissez faire which means liberty from
government control. In such a situation anybody even a melon could be a king because the king has no
authority and is not expected to control and guide the people. The poet sarcastically comments that in
such a situation peace and liberty would prevail. However the action of the poem shows a different
side. When the king or the government is not able to control the people, injustice is committed and
arbitrariness takes over. They end up executing the king and replacing it with a melon. Such kind of
liberty is dangerous because then nobody is safe and anything can happen to anyone and can be
justified in the name of liberty and freedom. The term peace and liberty hence is used here in a
sarcastic way.
Describe the features of the arch that was ordered to be built by the King?
: The arch was ordered to be constructed in a way that it would triumphantly span over the
major thoroughfare of the city and edify the spectators there
How did the accused try to shift the blame on others? How far did they succeed?
The chief of builders was the first one to be held guilty. He shifted the blame on the
workmen. The workmen were surprised but did not lose their reasoning power. They told the king
he had forgotten the fact that the bricks were made of the wrong size. Swayed by their rational
argument, the masons were summoned. They trembled with fear, but shifted the blame on the
architect who was responsible for planning and erecting the arch. The king ordered the architect to
be hanged. The clever architect reminded the king that he had forgotten one small thing. He had
made certain amendments to plans when the former had shown them to the latter. This clearly
meant that he held the king responsible for the mishap. The king became very angry and lost” his
capacity of clear judgement. He called it a tricky thing and sought the advice of the wisest man in
the country. Thus each accused succeeded in shifting the blame on others.
