Act 1, Scene 3 Summary

On the palace grounds, the schoolchildren sing "Home Sweet Home," as the king fumes to his oldest son, Chulalongkorn, that each of Anna's school lessons seems to have a reference to "home." The king will not be moved by this ploy of Anna's and probes Chulalongkorn for other knowledge that he has acquired recently.

Chulalongkorn tells his father that the world is a big ball with a stick in it, and the king half-heartedly agrees. Chulalongkorn is worried that he will one day be king and not know everything. The king dismisses his son and sings the song, "A Puzzlement," about his own uncertainty, despite his royal position.

Act 1, Scene 3 Analysis

This scene addresses the theme of tradition in Siam as represented by the king and his oldest son, who will succeed him. The king wants Siam to become more progressive...