The Tale of Melon City Important Short and Long Question Class 11 Chapter-5 Book-Snapshots

Short Answer Questions:

1. What is the main theme of the poem?

Answer:

The poem is a satire on foolish governance, where absurd and illogical decisions lead to a melon becoming King. It highlights irony, blind justice, and public indifference.

2. Why was the arch built in the city?

Answer:

The King ordered the arch to be built to beautify the city and impress the spectators.

3. What happened when the King passed under the arch?

Answer:

The arch was built too low, and as the King passed under it, his crown fell off.

4. Who did the King first blame for the faulty construction?

Answer:

He blamed the Chief of Builders and ordered him to be hanged.

5. How was the blame passed from one person to another?

Answer:

The Chief of Builders blamed the workmen → The workmen blamed the masons → The masons blamed the architect → The architect blamed the King himself.

6. What was the wisest man’s suggestion for punishment?

Answer:

The wisest man absurdly suggested that the arch should be hanged because it was responsible for knocking off the King’s crown.

7. Why did the King order an execution despite the confusion?

Answer:

The crowd was growing restless, demanding a hanging, so the King ordered that someone must be executed immediately.

8. Who was eventually hanged and why?

Answer:

The King himself was hanged because he was the only person tall enough to fit the noose.

9. How was the new King chosen?

Answer:

The first person to pass the City Gate was asked to choose the next King. This happened to be an idiot who randomly said "melon."

10. How did the people react to having a melon as their King?

Answer:

The people accepted it without question, saying that as long as they had peace and liberty, they didn’t care who ruled them.

Long Answer Questions:

1. How does the poem "The Tale of Melon City" satirize governance?

Answer:

The poem mocks rulers and governance by showing how absurd decisions lead to illogical outcomes. The King blindly follows rules without thinking, leading to blame being passed around, and eventually, he gets himself hanged. The Ministers, instead of wisely selecting a new ruler, follow a meaningless tradition and allow an idiot to choose a melon as King. The poem highlights how people accept rulers without questioning their authority, reflecting on the absurdity of some governance systems.

2. Describe the events leading to the King’s execution.

Answer:

The King ordered an arch to be built. When he passed under it, his crown fell off, and he became angry. He first blamed the Chief of Builders, but then the blame was passed from the workmen to the masons, the architect, and finally to the King himself. Seeking justice, the King consulted the wisest man, who absurdly suggested punishing the arch. When a Councillor opposed hanging the arch, the restless crowd demanded an execution. Since the King was the only one tall enough to fit the noose, he was hanged by his own decree.

3. What role does public indifference play in the poem?

Answer:

The people of the city do not question their King’s foolish decisions. When the King is executed, they do not protest or show concern. When a melon is chosen as their new King, they accept it without question. Their only concern is peace and liberty, and they do not care who rules them. This highlights the absurdity of how people sometimes blindly accept rulers without questioning governance.

4. How does the ending of the poem reflect the theme of irony?

Answer:

The ending is highly ironic because a random idiot, without understanding the question, chooses a melon as the next King. Instead of objecting, the Ministers and the people accept this decision and continue their lives as if nothing unusual has happened. The irony lies in the fact that the people believe in a system that allows a fruit to rule them, showing the ridiculousness of blindly following traditions.

5. What is the significance of the melon as the King?

Answer:

The melon symbolizes absurdity in governance and blind acceptance of authority. It represents a ruler who does nothing but still remains in power because the people do not question authority. The people are satisfied as long as they have peace, highlighting their indifference to who actually rules them.