GSEB Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 8 The Tale of Melon City Solutions

Reading with Insight

Question 1. Narrate 'The Tale of Melon City' in your own words.
Answer: Once, a fair and peaceful king wished to construct an arch across the main road to impress the onlookers. Workers skillfully built the arch. With a joyful spirit, the king attempted to pass beneath the arch. However, his crown struck the arch, and he lost it. Angered by this insult, he ordered the chief builder to be hanged. But the chief builder blamed the workers. The workers then declared the mason was at fault because the brick size was incorrect.
The mason also shifted the blame, pointing to the architect. The architect then put the king in a difficult position, as the final adjustment was the king's own. The king called for the wisest man to settle the argument. This very old man absurdly blamed the arch. But the arch was not punished since it had touched the king's head. Still, the king felt the public's mood. Since the people wanted a hanging, the king commanded one without identifying a specific guilty party.
This decision backfired on him, and he was ultimately hanged. His foolish ministers decided on an odd way to choose the next king: whoever first passed through the gate would pick the new ruler. It happened that a madman came by and selected a melon as king. From then on, a melon ruled, and the common folk enjoyed complete freedom, as the melon king gave them "Laissez Faire."
In simple words: The story tells how a king wanted an arch built but it hit his crown. He ordered many people to be hanged, but they all blamed someone else. Finally, the wisest man blamed the arch itself. Because the public wanted a hanging, the king was hanged. Later, a crazy person chose a melon to be the new king, and everyone lived freely under the melon's rule.

Exam Tip: When narrating a story, focus on key plot points and character actions. Ensure the sequence of events is clear and concise, highlighting the main conflict and resolution.

Question 2. What impression would you form of a state where king was 'just and placid'?
Answer: It appears that a state ruled by such a king is a place of foolish people. The king seems unstable and unpredictable. The king believes that the subjects exist only to be governed like ignorant individuals. His wish for an arch is quickly fulfilled by the subjects. However, he becomes erratic when he pursues them to punish them.
It is as if his desire is the law and his command, as he issues death sentences. His ministers act like sycophants who flatter the king and always protect their own interests. The common masses are uneducated and irrational. They are pleased by a hanging and might rebel if denied it. They are rough and do not care who is hanged, even if it is the king. What matters to them is their own self-interest, the ability to conduct any business, and a life of irony.
In simple words: A state with this kind of king seems full of silly people. The king is moody and thinks he can do anything. His ministers just flatter him, and the common people are uneducated and only care about their own freedom, not who rules them.

Exam Tip: To describe a ruler's character, analyze their actions and reactions from the text, using descriptive adjectives to convey your impression effectively.

Question 3. How according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?
Answer: Peace and liberty will result from several crucial elements in governing a state. A clear and responsible government, free from bias and corruption, will maintain peace for a long time. A proven administrative system where there are no illegal activities and where serving people is a top priority and done with ease; where complaints are handled quickly, and people trust the state and work together, these should be the main concerns.
The first priority must be to educate every child so that future leaders are smart, strong, and capable of improving civilized thought. A state must be free from all harmful beliefs. Superstitions, blind religious hatred, and favoring specific groups and castes should be discarded. A state must be run by a democratic process where there is no chance for dictatorship and absolute rule.
In simple words: To keep peace and freedom, a state needs honest leaders who don't take bribes. It also needs good systems where people are served well and their issues are quickly fixed. Educating every child is important so future leaders are wise. The state should also get rid of bad beliefs like blind hatred and unfair favoritism, and it should be run by democratic rules, not by one person with all the power.

Exam Tip: When discussing societal principles like peace and liberty, offer concrete examples or conditions that contribute to their maintenance, demonstrating a clear understanding of governance.

Question 4. Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humour and irony.
Answer: 'The Tale of Melon City' is best known for its irony and humor.
HUMOUR:
The king decides to build an arch across the main road to entertain the spectators. He creates a funny scene when he bumps into the arch and loses his crown.
The king intends to punish the guilty party who made the faulty arch. His chasing one person after another, along with their excuses and indirect blaming of the king, creates a ridiculous display.
When the wisest man is summoned, his conclusion that the arch is the culprit and his attempt to hang it makes us laugh.
We cannot help but smile when we find the king to be the most suitable person for the gallows.
The process of choosing the new king and a melon as the king creates extreme humor.
The king, who wanted a hanging to punish the guilty, gets hanged himself because the public wanted a hanging.
The wise man was chosen because he was old and could not see anything, so he points to the arch as guilty and says it should be hanged without proper thought.
The ministers picked a king based on a fool's choice, namely, a melon. Everyone accepted this without caring whether the king was human or not.
In simple words: The poem is funny because the king bumps his head on an arch and gets very angry. He tries to hang many people, and then the 'wisest man' blames the arch itself. Later, the king is hanged because he is the only one who fits the noose. The biggest joke is when a melon is chosen as the new king by a madman, and everyone accepts it.

Exam Tip: When asked to identify humor and irony, provide specific examples from the text and briefly explain why each instance is humorous or ironic.

Question 5. '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.
Answer: The poem 'The Tale of Melon City' utilizes a verse format to narrate an old story, which makes it distinct. To discover similar illustrations, learners should search for narrative poems or stories presented in verse within their native tongue. They can then present these instances and talk about how the poetic structure improves the storytelling during class.
In simple words: This poem uses rhymes and rhythm to tell an old story, which is a special way to write. Students should try to find other stories in their own language that are also told like poems and then share them and talk about why using poetry makes the story better.

Exam Tip: When asked to find examples in 'your language,' acknowledge the unique style of the original text and encourage exploring local literature for comparable narrative forms, emphasizing discussion in class.

GSEB Class 11 English The Tale of Melon City Additional Important Questions and Answers

Answer the following questions in four to five sentences each:

Question 1. What sort of king ruled over the state? What did he proclaim?
Answer: The king was fair and gentle. He seemed interested in the well-being of the common people. So, he announced that an arch should be built to span the main thoroughfare. He hoped that seeing it would improve people's outlook.
In simple words: The king was kind and calm, and he cared about his people. He declared that a new arch should be built across the road, thinking it would make people feel better when they saw it.

Exam Tip: When describing a character, use specific traits mentioned in the text and explain their actions or motivations based on these traits.

Question 2. What argument did the architect advance in self-defence? How did the king take it?
Answer: The architect reminded the king that he had made specific changes to the original building plans. He suggested that the fault lay with the king himself. Hearing this, the king became so angry that he nearly lost his ability to think clearly or calmly.
In simple words: The architect said the king changed the building plans, so it was his fault. The king got so mad he couldn't think straight.

Exam Tip: For defence arguments, identify the core claim and how it shifts blame. Describe the reaction of the accused party using strong adjectives.

Question 3. 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.
Answer: The king became confused by the architect's clever self-defence. Therefore, he needed the advice of the wisest man in the country. The chosen man was so old that he could neither walk nor see. He was not truly the wisest, as intelligence does not always come with age. His advice demonstrates his uselessness.
In simple words: The king was confused by the architect's smart excuse, so he asked for help from the country's wisest man. This man was very old and couldn't see or walk. He wasn't really wise, though, because his advice was not helpful.

Exam Tip: Evaluate character traits critically. Support your opinion about a character's wisdom with specific evidence from their actions or advice in the story.

Question 4. Why did the Ministers feel relieved? Do you think their elation was justified?
Answer: The Ministers felt relieved that the public's desire to see a hanging had been satisfied. They expressed their joy, saying they found someone to hang. They believed that if they had failed, the disobedient town might have rebelled against the king. Their happiness is misplaced. The king had to give his life to keep the public happy.
In simple words: The ministers were happy because the public got to see a hanging. They thought if they didn't find someone, the town might turn against the king. But their happiness wasn't fair, as the king himself died just to please the crowd.

Exam Tip: When assessing if a feeling is 'justified,' analyze the underlying reasons and consequences. Consider if the outcome truly aligns with moral or logical standards.

Question 5. What 'custom' of the citizens is referred to in the tale? How did the Ministers decide to observe it?
Answer: It is their tradition to choose the new ruler of their state. Whoever first passed the City Gate the next day would pick the ruler of the state. This method of random choice prevented dynastic rule and conspiracies. The Ministers decided to follow it with proper ceremony.
In simple words: The story talks about a custom where the first person to pass through the city gate the next day would choose the new king. The ministers chose to follow this tradition formally, as it helped avoid family rule and secret plots.

Exam Tip: Clearly state the custom and explain its purpose or impact within the story. Describe how characters interact with or uphold this custom.

Question 6. How was the new ruler of the state selected?
Answer: The Ministers sent out messengers to announce that the next person to pass the City Gate would choose the ruler of their state. An idiot happened to come through the gate. When asked to decide who should be the king, he responded, "A melon." This was his usual answer to all questions. The Ministers declared that a melon would be their new ruler.
In simple words: Ministers sent word that the next person through the city gate would pick the new king. An idiot came by, and when asked, he simply said "A melon." So, the ministers made a melon their new ruler.

Exam Tip: Detail the process of selection step-by-step, including the specific criteria and the outcome, to fully answer how the ruler was chosen.

Question 7. How did the accused try to shift the blame on others? How far did they succeed?
Answer: The chief builder was the first to be held accountable. He shifted the blame to the workers. The workers were surprised but did not lose their reasoning ability. They told the king he had forgotten that the bricks were the wrong size. Convinced by their logical argument, the masons were called. They shook with fear but blamed the architect, who was responsible for planning and building the arch.
The king then ordered the architect to be hanged. The clever architect reminded the king of one small detail he had overlooked. He had made certain adjustments to the plans when the king showed them to him. This clearly suggested that he believed the king was responsible for the accident. The king became very angry and lost his ability to make clear decisions. He called it a tricky situation and sought advice from the country's wisest man. Thus, each accused person successfully managed to shift the blame to others.
In simple words: Each person accused tried to blame someone else. The chief builder blamed the workers, who then blamed the mason for bad bricks. The mason blamed the architect. The architect then cleverly blamed the king, saying the king made changes to the plans. Everyone managed to pass the blame, leaving the king confused.

Exam Tip: Trace the chain of blame carefully, identifying each person involved and their specific argument. Conclude by assessing the success of their blame-shifting efforts.

Question 8. What impression do you gather about the king from 'The Tale of Melon City'?
Answer: The supposedly just and peaceful king appears quite ruthless as he becomes calmer and decides to hang all the workers instead of just the chief builder. His unstable mind and impulsive nature are shown by the frequent changes in his decisions. He is easily swayed by arguments and seems inconsistent. He appears keen on public welfare and has an arch built across the thoroughfare to educate them. The whimsical king is easily outsmarted by the clever architect.
The king loses his temper in a fit of rage. To save himself, he seeks the advice of the country's wisest man. The king wants to keep the public in good spirits. He is quite perceptive and understands the crowd's mood correctly. His lack of foresight proves to be his downfall. The height of the noose only fits his neck. He foolishly becomes a victim of his own command. He wants to prevent a public uprising but pays for the public's entertainment with his life. Thus, he is a short-sighted and confused ruler.
In simple words: The king seems fair at first, but is actually quite harsh and changes his mind often. He gets easily fooled and makes silly choices, like ordering everyone to be hanged. He wants to please the public but ends up getting hanged himself because of his own orders. He's not a very smart or consistent leader.

Exam Tip: When forming an impression, combine observations about the character's decisions, reactions, and the consequences of their actions to build a comprehensive view.

Question 9. What do you think makes 'The Tale of Melon City' interesting and edifying?
Answer: As the title suggests, the poem tells a story about Melon City – a city named after its ruler. It is quite interesting and informative to learn how the country got a melon as its ruler. In short, it was due to a customary choice. The people relate the story of a just and peaceful king who was hanged by his own Royal Decree.
What the king did for the people and how he conducted the trials of the accused are quite amusing. The clever arguments of the accused to save their lives are equally engaging. The king senses the mood of the people who want to see a hanging. He knows how disruptive an angry crowd can be and therefore orders that someone must be hanged immediately. The irony of the situation is that only the king is tall enough to fit the noose.
The practical-minded ministers resort to the age-old custom to choose the next ruler. The idiot's choice is approved in the name of custom. The people are indifferent to the fact that their ruler is a melon, not a man. The behavior of pragmatic ministers and equally self-centered, foolish, and mean people seems quite funny and engaging. It is also educational. A wise person should avoid the company of fools.
In simple words: The story is interesting because it's about a city ruled by a melon, chosen by an old custom. It's funny how the king tries to please his people and ends up being hanged himself. The clever ways the accused people save themselves, and how silly the ministers and public are, make it both entertaining and teach you that being wise means staying away from foolish people.

Exam Tip: To explain why a text is interesting and edifying, point out specific narrative elements (like humor, irony, plot twists) and the moral lessons or insights it offers about society or human nature.

Question 10. "The poem mocks the process of fair trial and proper judgement.” How far do you agree with the statement?
Answer: The poem severely criticizes the old tradition of delivering justice based on the king's spoken word. There was a time when the King's word was considered sacred, and whatever he said became law. A just and peaceful king was expected to protect the innocent and punish the guilty. However, the process of trial and the constantly changing judgments make a mockery of fair trials and considered awards.
This is clear from the statements of the accused who try to save their lives by making others responsible for the crime. The King's unpredictability and inability to see through their weak arguments make him an object of ridicule rather than a giver of divine justice. Hence, we completely agree with the above statement.
In simple words: The poem strongly criticizes how justice used to be given just by the king's word. It shows that fair trials and good judgments were made fun of because the king's decisions kept changing, and people blamed each other instead of taking responsibility. The king’s foolishness makes him a joke, not a fair judge. So, yes, the poem definitely mocks the idea of fair trials.

Exam Tip: When agreeing or disagreeing with a statement, use clear evidence from the text to support your stance. Provide specific instances that illustrate the poem's satirical intent regarding justice.

Question 11. Comment on the ending of the poem 'The Tale of Melon City'. What bearing does the ending have on the title of the poem?
OR
Comment on the title of the poem 'The Tale of Melon City'.
Answer: The ending of 'The Tale of Melon City' is very important. It directly relates to the title. The poem's conclusion shows that the events happened long ago. It sheds light on the old custom of the state to choose their new ruler. Faced with the difficulty, the ministers chose the easy solution. The person who next passed the City Gate was to name the king. It happened to be an idiot who gave the usual answer "a melon" to every question.
So, the melon was crowned king, carried to the throne, and respectfully placed there. The people are not at all ashamed to have a melon as their king. They say that if the king enjoys being a melon, that's fine with them. They find no fault with him as long as he lets them enjoy their peace, freedom, and free trade. The capital city is called Melon City after the king. Thus, the ending highlights the selfish nature of the people and their belief in old customs. It also explains the title.
In simple words: The ending is crucial because it explains the title. It shows an old custom where an idiot chose a melon as the new king. The people were fine with this because the melon king let them live in peace and trade freely. This ending highlights the people's selfish ways and why the city is called Melon City.

Exam Tip: Discuss both the narrative impact of the ending and its thematic connection to the title. Explain how the resolution reflects the broader themes or satirical tone of the poem.

The Tale of Melon City Summary in English

The Tale of Melon City Summary:
The Tale of Melon City by Vikram Seth is a humorous poem about a king who is the opposite of "just and placid." Instead, the king gets excited about everything in his kingdom. The poem is about a hasty decision by the king that costs him his life. He orders an arch to be built so he can instruct onlookers. However, the arch's construction goes wrong, as when the king stands, the arch is built too low, touching his crown, and as a result, it falls down. The falling of the crown is an insult to the king, so he orders the chief builder to be hanged.
A noose and gallows are prepared. The crowd is ready to watch the convict lose his life. But just in time, the chief builder blames the workers for the error. Next, the workmen are taken for the death penalty; they also shout loudly, saying it is the mason's mistake. The mason is then put next for punishment; he passes the blame to the architect. The architect, being a clever person, says that the changes to the plan were made by the king himself. This event puts the king in a difficult situation – he calls it a tricky problem.
The king calls for the country's wisest man to make a decision. A very old man is brought in. The old man can neither walk nor see, but he says that the culprit must be hanged. So, according to his judgment, the arch itself is to be hanged. But because it had touched the king's crown, it too was spared from being hanged. On the other hand, the crowd is becoming unruly. They want to see someone hanged.
The king then decides that whoever fits the noose will be hanged. One by one, all men are measured; the only tall man who fits the noose is the king. Thus, the king is hanged. The king dies because of his own foolishness.
Who will be the kingdom's next king? As per custom, the first person passing the City Gate will decide who can be the next king.
An idiot emerges as a passer-by. When asked, he replies "melon" – "melon" is his standard reply to all questions. A melon is crowned and declared as the kingdom's king. A melon will rule over men – what a funny proposal this is.

Exam Tip: When summarizing, ensure you capture the main plot points, character roles, and the story's overall progression accurately and concisely. Focus on the beginning, middle, and end, highlighting key events.