The tale of Melon City

Class 11 -> English -> Moments (Supplementary) -> The Tale of Melon City

Author: Vikram Seth

Poetic Devices

  1. Couplet : Each stanza consists of two lines

  2. Imagery

  3. Irony

  4. Satire

  5. Onomatopoeia : quavering

  6. Inversion: "As is our custom", "The Arch it was"

  7. Alliteration

  8. Repetition : "Long live…"

  9. Refrain: “To edify spectators there”.

Theme

The tale of Melon City is a satirical poem with a serious underlying message. It deals with the idea that justice is an acknowledged virtue, but if the notion of justice is carried too far, it proves to be self-defeating. The king is portrayed as an indecisive ruler rather than a man of rational thought. Vikram Seth shows the importance of a balanced ruler who guides his people.

Points to note

  • The Arch symbolises tyranny and tries to invoke a false sense of awe, wonder and gratification.

  • It is better for a king to do nothing rather than doing something to satiate his pride. It will allow the people to live in peace and quiet.

  • No one should ever be too placid. There’s a season to hustle, a season to rest and a season to guard what we have left.

  • POPULARITY STUNT: Times will come and go.... and a time will come when we will have to choose between doing the right thing or the easy thing (which might be popular)

  • Laissez faire: Democracy is much better than one person. having control of it all. It might be slow and can't bring speedy reforms, but provides much more stability than alternatives.

  • JUSTICE: "Right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it"- WILLIAM PENN!

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