How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers and Other Woodcuts · Chapter
The Antelope; The Cantelope explained
A humorous comparison between the cantelope (a melon) and the antelope, highlighting their different reactions to being tapped: the cantelope stays still and emits a 'melon-choly' sound, while the antelope flees, revealing its misanthropic
What happens
A humorous comparison between the cantelope (a melon) and the antelope, highlighting their different reactions to being tapped: the cantelope stays still and emits a 'melon-choly' sound, while the antelope flees, revealing its misanthropic nature.
Themes in this chapter
Wordplay and Homophones
The chapter uses puns like 'melon-choly' (melancholy) and 'mis-an-thrope' (misanthropic) to create humor through wordplay.
Humor and Absurdity
The absurd comparison between a fruit and an animal, and the exaggerated personification of the antelope as a misanthrope, exemplifies the chapter's humorous tone.
Key passages
“If you will tap the Cantelope reposing on the ground It will not move, but just emit a melon‑choly sound”
Tapping a cantaloupe on the ground causes it to stay still and produce a sad, melon-like sound.
Paraphrases the cantelope's passive, melancholic response.
“But if you try this method on the antlered antelope, His departure will convince you that he is a mis‑an‑thrope.”
Applying the same tapping method to an antelope will cause it to flee, proving its dislike of people.
Paraphrases the antelope's active, misanthropic reaction.