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The guide on NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Snapshot Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City offers clear and simple answers for the exercise questions. This helps students to understand the theme, humour and irony of this specific chapter by effectively preparing for the examination. The solutions simplify the story and help in uncovering the messages beneath the poem, making revision easier. You can also download the free PDF of this chapter in this guide.
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NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City
Here are the NCERT solutions for Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City, made for effective revision.
Reading with Insight – Questions and Solutions
- Narrate ‘The Tale of Melon City’ in your own words.
Solution: The Tale of Melon City is a humorous and ironic poem by Vikram Seth that narrates the absurd events in a kingdom. The story begins with a king, described as just and placid, who orders the construction of an arch to beautify the city. When the arch is built too low, the king’s crown is knocked off as he passes under it, leading him to declare it a disgrace. He demands the execution of the chief builder, who blames the workmen. The workmen shift the blame to the masons, who point to the architect, who in turn claims the king altered the plans. Confused, the king seeks advice from the wisest man, who is too old to think clearly and suggests executing the arch itself. However, the crowd demands a hanging, and the king, eager to please, orders that someone must be executed. A noose is set up, but it fits only the king’s neck perfectly. Following the kingdom’s custom, the king is hanged. Afterwards, the ministers decide the next king will be whoever passes the city gate first. A melon is chosen as the new “king” because it happens to pass by, and the city is renamed Melon City. The people live happily under this absurd ruler, valuing their peace and liberty. The poem satirises blind adherence to tradition and the absurdity of governance.
- What impression would you form of a state where the King was ‘just and placid’?
Solution: A state where the king is described as “just and placid” initially suggests a peaceful and fair governance system. The term “just” implies the king makes decisions with fairness, ensuring justice for his subjects, while “placid” suggests a calm and composed demeanour, avoiding impulsive or tyrannical actions. However, in The Tale of Melon City, this description is ironic. The king’s justice is superficial, as he hastily orders executions without thorough investigation, and his placidity leads to indecision, allowing absurd events to unfold, such as his own hanging. This creates an impression of a state where leadership lacks depth, critical thinking, and accountability. The king’s apparent fairness and calmness mask incompetence, leading to chaotic and illogical decisions. The state appears stable on the surface but is undermined by blind adherence to customs and a lack of rational governance, resulting in a society that prioritises tradition over reason.
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- How, according to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?
Solution: Peace and liberty in a state can be maintained through a balanced and rational system of governance that prioritises justice, accountability, and the well-being of its citizens. The Tale of Melon City illustrates a state where peace and liberty exist superficially because the people are indifferent to their absurd leadership, as seen in their acceptance of a melon as king. However, true peace and liberty require:
- Transparent and Fair Governance: Leaders must make decisions based on reason and evidence, unlike the king’s arbitrary judgments in the poem. Fair laws and an impartial judiciary ensure justice, fostering trust among citizens.
- Active Citizen Participation: Liberty thrives when citizens have a voice in governance, preventing blind adherence to outdated traditions, as seen in the poem’s absurd customs.
- Education and Awareness: An educated populace can critically evaluate leadership and hold rulers accountable, avoiding the passive acceptance of irrational decisions depicted in the poem.
- Adaptable Systems: Governance should evolve with changing times, unlike the rigid customs in the poem that lead to the king’s execution and a melon’s crowning.
By ensuring accountability, encouraging participation, and promoting rational decision-making, a state can maintain lasting peace and liberty, unlike the satirical chaos in The Tale of Melon City.
- Suggest a few instances in the poem which highlight humour and irony.
Solution: The Tale of Melon City is rich with humour and irony, using these elements to satirise governance and blind tradition. Some instances include:
- The King’s Hanging: The king, described as “just and placid,” orders an execution to uphold justice but ends up being hanged himself because the noose fits only his neck. This is ironic, as his pursuit of justice leads to his own demise, and humorous due to the absurdity of the situation.
- Blaming the Arch: When the blame shifts from builders to workmen, masons, and the architect, the wise man suggests executing the arch itself, an inanimate object. This is humorous because it’s ridiculous to punish a structure and ironic as it highlights the kingdom’s flawed logic.
- The Melon King: The crowning of a melon as king because it passes the city gate first is both humorous and ironic. The humour lies in the absurdity of a fruit ruling a city, while the irony is that the people accept this nonsensical leadership, believing it ensures their peace and liberty.
- The King’s Indecision: The king’s placidity leads to indecision, allowing the crowd to dictate his actions. This is ironic, as a “just” ruler should be decisive, and humorous because it results in chaotic outcomes.
These instances use humour and irony to critique the absurdity of blind tradition and ineffective leadership.
- ‘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.
Solution: The Tale of Melon City uses verse form to narrate an ancient tale with humour and rhythm, enhancing its charm and making it memorable. The poetic structure, with its rhyming scheme and concise storytelling, engages readers while delivering a satirical message. Students are encouraged to find similar examples in their own language, where folk tales or moral stories are told in verse to captivate audiences. For instance:
- In English: The nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty tells a simple story of an egg’s fall in verse, using rhythm and rhyme to make it engaging for children while subtly teaching about consequences.
- In Hindi: The Panchatantra stories, such as The Monkey and the Crocodile, are sometimes adapted into verse in regional literature, blending moral lessons with poetic charm.
- In Regional Languages: Folk tales like Tenali Rama stories in Telugu or Tamil are often narrated in poetic forms during cultural performances, adding humor and wit to impart wisdom.
Students should explore such examples in their native languages, discuss their narrative style, and share how the verse form enhances the storytelling in class. This exercise helps appreciate the universal appeal of poetic storytelling across cultures.
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Download NCERT Solutions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 The Tale of Melon City
You can download the free PDF of NCERT solutions Class 11 English Snapshots Chapter 5 The Tale of Melon City from here.
Download more NCERT Solutions of Class 11 English ‘Snapshot’ here!
| Chapter 1: The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse Solution |
| Chapter 2: The Address Solution |
| Chapter 3: Mother’s Day Solutions |
| Chapter 5: The Tale of Melon City Solution |
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