# The Antelope; The Cantelope explained — How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers and Other Woodcuts

> Chapter companion for How to Tell the Birds from the Flowers and Other Woodcuts by Robert Williams Wood.

## 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/how_to_tell_the_birds_from_the_flowers_and_other_se/chapters/the-antelope-the-cantelope
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/how_to_tell_the_birds_from_the_flowers_and_other_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/how_to_tell_the_birds_from_the_flowers_and_other_se/chapters