Concerning the Poet
Vikram Seth (b- 1952) was born in Kolkata and was educated in Doon College and Stanford College. His most well-known books include- A Appropriate Boy, A Appropriate Lady, The Golden Gate and so forth . He has gained a number of awards comparable to Padma Shri, Sahitya Akademi Award, Pravasi Bharatiya Samman, WH Smith Literary Award and Crossword E book Award.
Introduction
This narrative poem is a political satire. It satirizes the individuals in energy and the response of the individuals to the federal government. The melon metropolis symbolizes the folly and ignorance of the corrupted individuals in energy. Vikram Seth has used humour to satirically signify the self-importance of corrupted energy. He displays the indifference of the general public in direction of these in energy so long as their freedom is safe. The irony lies in the truth that the individuals are least bothered whether or not it’s a man or a melon on the throne so long as Laisse Faire is ensured. The poet has turned the well-known story by the Afghan author Idries Shah right into a humorous satirical poem. The usage of the couplet type has helped within the enhancing the circulation of the folklore.
Abstract
The poem begins with the declaration of the poet that he sings a couple of simply and laid-back king who ordered an arch to be arrange on the main-road of town to counterpoint town and its denizens. The workmen adopted the orders and constructed the arch. Because the king rode down the main-road to inspire his topics, his crown hit the low arch and fell down. The incident angered the king and he ordered that the chief of the builders to be hanged. Preparations had been made accordingly however on his technique to the gallows he shouted that it was the fault of the workmen. The king instantly stopped the execution and ordered the workmen to be hanged. The determined workmen stated that it was the fault of the brickmakers who made the bricks of mistaken measurement. The masons had been known as who trembled as they blamed the architect for the error. The architect was known as for. The architect reminded the king that it was he who made some changes within the plans when it was proven to him. Now, the king perceiving the hazard forward determined that he wants some recommendation from somebody with extra knowledge. Due to this fact, an previous man who may hardly communicate was dropped at the king to advise him. The previous clever man stated that because it was the arch who was answerable for throwing down the crown, the arch itself needs to be hanged. The proposal was about to be carried out when a councilor stated {that a} factor that one thing that touched the royal head of the king couldn’t be hanged. The spineless king agreed to it however by then perceived that the themes had been turning into stressed. To pacify them he stated that it didn’t really matter who was responsible, what was vital was to grasp somebody with fast impact. So, a noose was set a little bit excessive on the scaffold and whosoever was tall sufficient to suit the noose was purported to be hanged. It so occurred that solely the king was tall sufficient for the noose so he was executed in accordance with the royal orders. The ministers had been relieved that they discovered somebody was executed in any other case the general public might need revolted towards the king. They cried lengthy reside the king who was lifeless. Then they despatched out royal orders within the identify of the previous king that the following one that cross via town gate will select the king. It so occurred that an fool handed the gate. When he was requested who can be the following king he answered – melon. It was his reply to each query that was requested to him as he cherished melons. Due to this fact, a melon was topped the king and town got here to be generally known as the melon metropolis.
Theme of – The Story of Melon Metropolis
The principle theme of the poem is the opposed end result of unchecked energy. The poem reveals how energy corrupts even a placid king when it goes unchecked. It additionally portrays the plight of individuals when the administration is run by silly heads. It factors out the significance of growing vital considering.
Message of – The Story of Melon Metropolis
The political satire offers out a robust message that it is very important choose ready directors to run the federal government. Absolute energy within the palms of silly heads of governments can spell disasters for the nation. It additionally offers a lesson that folks mustn’t comply with customs blindly, and should take choices based mostly on sound judgement and demanding considering.
Phrase Meanings
Placid – laid again
Proclaimed – introduced
Arch – a semi curved architectural construction
Triumphantly – victoriously
Thoroughfare – predominant highway
Edify – (right here) enrich
Gallows – a construction on which individuals are hanged
Summon – order somebody to be current
Masons – individuals who lay bricks/stones for making buildings
Quivering – trembling
Architect – one that design buildings
Ordain – give an official order
Amendments – corrections
Noticed crimson – perceived hazard
Counsel – recommendation
Quavering – (right here)in a shaking voice
Scaffold – a raised platform for executing criminals
Mused – mirrored or thought silently
Noose – a knotted rope with loop used for hanging individuals or for tying animals
Decree – an official order
Heralds – an official who proclaims state messages
Reverently – respectfully
Customary – in response to social practices
Laissez faire – letting issues to comply with its personal course
Literary gadgets
Alliteration – repetition of the identical sound the start of wordsin shut proximity
With us, for who are we to say
‘Long live the King!’
Desires a hanging. Hanged should be
Every man was measured by and by.
The workmen went and constructed the thing.
He stated, ‘This is a tricky thing
Antithesis – Contrasting phrases or phrases are utilized in the identical sentence to create emphasis.
‘Lengthy reside the King! The King is lifeless.’
Repetition – Repeating phrases or phrases
‘Lengthy reside the King!’ the Ministers stated.
‘Lengthy reside the King! The King is lifeless.’
The chief of builders can be hanged’…
The chief of builders was led out.
Irony – a determine of speech the alternative of what’s anticipated occurs
.A frown/ Appeared upon his placid face.
In truth he practically misplaced his head;
He was the King. His Majesty / Was due to this fact hanged by Royal Decree.
Pun – a phrase or phrase having double which means
In truth he practically misplaced his head;
Right here the phrase has twin which means –
Firstly, it signifies that the king practically misplaced management of his anger,
Secondly, it additionally signifies that since he was the one who made modifications to the plan, he was the perpetrator and should die.
Studying with Perception
Query- Solutions
1. Narrate ‘The Story of Melon Metropolis’ in your individual phrases.
Ans. The story is a couple of king who needed to be widespread along with his topics. To achieve reputation, he seemed to be a peaceable, gentlemanly and calm. He needed his topics to be pleased with his rule and due to this fact ordered an arch to be constructed on the primary highway. The arch was purported to inspire the individuals of town. To mark its inauguration, he rode via the arch, however due to its low top his crown fell off as he was using via it. This enraged the king and he needed the perpetrator to be punished for the humiliation. To fulfill his ego, he ordered the chief-builder to be hanged. The chief-builder on his technique to the gallows shouted that the fault was of the workmen who constructed the arch. The king then ordered the workmen to be hanged. The workmen taken by shocked, shifted the blame to the brick-makers. The masons shifted the blame to the architect. When the architect was dropped at the king, he reminded that it was the king who made some modifications to the arch’s plan, thereby indicating that the fault was really the kings. The king sensed the upcoming hazard and stated that the matter was sophisticated and he wanted the recommendation of the wisest man. The wisest man was carried to the court docket as he may neither see nor stroll. He stated that the one who threw down the crown must be punished. Due to this fact, the arch was to be hanged. When the arch was about to be hanged one of many councilors stated one thing that touched the pinnacle must be revered and therefore can’t be hanged. The gullible king who agreed with him. However the crowd which had gathered to witness the hanging had turn into agitated. The king was scared of the gang and stated that tremendous issues like who was responsible was not vital. What was vital, was that somebody needs to be hanged and due to this fact a noose was hung a little bit excessive and whosoever fitted on it could be executed. The tall king was the one match; due to this fact, he was hanged. The ministers heaved a sigh of aid that they had been capable of keep away from the ire of the general public. They prayed for the lengthy lifetime of the king. They had been undecided in regards to the subsequent king however due to their sensible minds they determined to pick out the following king in response to the customs. The following individual to enter via town gates would choose the following king.
2. What impression would you type of a state the place the King was ‘simply and placid’?
Ans. A king who’s simply and placid would be sure that his topics get justice and luxuriate in a safe life. A placid king is one who doesn’t lose his calm and treats everybody equally. Due to this fact, a kingdom with a simply and placid king can be a really perfect one the place each topic would take pleasure in freedom, equality and prosperity.
3. How, in response to you, can peace and liberty be maintained in a state?
Ans. Peace and liberty might be ensured by having a very good administrative physique with ready individuals to run the system. There needs to be a robust regulation enforcement system working inside a simply authorized framework. Laisse faire or non-interference within the residents life would guarantee peace and concord within the state.
4. Counsel just a few cases within the poem which spotlight humour and irony.
Ans. There are a number of cases of humour and irony within the poem.
Some examples of humour are-
1. Really, the arch it was that banged
The crown off, and it should be hanged’
It’s a ridiculous proposition to hold a non-living arch.
2. However just one man was so tall
He fitted. One man. That was all.
It’s humorous that the one standards for the individual to be hanged was that he ought to match the noose. It’s ironic that the king who gave this proposition was the one individual to suit the noose.
3. In being a melon, that’s OK
With us, for who’re we to say
What he needs to be so long as he
Leaves us in Peace and Liberty?’
It’s humorous that the themes assume that the king can take any type and rule over them. Overlooking the truth that they let an fool select the king.
Examples of irony
1.A frown/ Appeared upon his placid face.
The King stated, ‘It is a shame.
The irony on this line is that the superficial calmness of the king vanished as quickly as his ego was harm.
2. The King heard this. The King noticed crimson.
In truth he practically misplaced his head;
That is dramatic irony because the king will in the end be hanged. Misplaced his head is a pun right here.
3. ‘Lengthy reside the King!’ the Ministers stated.
‘Lengthy reside the King! The King is lifeless.’
It’s ironic that the individuals are wishing a protracted life for the lifeless king.