Introduction
For the purposes of this work, the poetry of Kahlil Gibran will be examined. Specifically, a focus is made on his poem “On Children”. Gibran’s work has been critically and publicly acclaimed, often praised for its social value and insight. “On Children”, in particular, works well to combine the most distinct and important parts of the author’s presentation, messaging, themes, and ideas in a form that is easy to grasp. The piece, much like the works it is surrounded by, comes across as a lesson for the reader, an opportunity to change one’s way of thinking about the subject. Coming into the discussion from the perspective of a guide and a teacher, Gibran presents a stance on raising children correctly.
With the clever use of words, the author designates the role of a parent and a child, presents examples of exemplary attitudes in child-rearing, and argues for the importance of individual agency. The thesis statement of this paper, then, is that Gibran uses metaphor and direct instruction as its tools to discuss the subjects of parenting, authority, agency, and self-actualization.
Tone, Framing, and Style of the Poem as a Direct Instruction
Gibran uses a distinctive writing style in order to establish himself as an authority through writing and uses each verse as an instruction to the audience. His impact has been considerable, as this particular poem about raising children is noted for its influence on culture and child-rearing practices and culture (John). This method of presentation distinguishes the work from other pieces of poetry, gives it its serious tone, and makes the message more impactful. From the very first line “Your children are not your children”, Gibran sums up and delivers the entire message of this poem (Gibran 21-22). Everything that comes after is a way to explain and justify this primary message. It is direct and non-negotiable; one could even argue it is somewhat disrespectful to parental figures.
However, it is also a poignant and confrontational way to get one’s point across, one that is able to capture the audience’s attention and make them want to read more. Continuing with his message, Gibran further explains that one’s children must not be seen as belonging to the parent, but as independent beings who have had to use their parents as a means to enter this world. It is a view that shifts a child–parent dynamic considerably, providing a sense of inherent respect and power to the child. The writer implores parents to give their offspring love, protection, and living necessities, at the same time treating them with the respect and dignity another individual warrants.
Children are framed as a representation of tomorrow’s ambition, of progress. The movement of time is shown as unavoidable, a constant that has to be accepted without negotiation. In saying “life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday”, Gibran finds a creative way to say that children “the future”, must not be tied down by their parents “yesterday” (Gibran 21-22). Altogether, the combined use of similes and adherence to the somewhat instructional tone help to emphasize the importance of the message, the position of the author as a prophet, and the value of the point being made.
The Bow Metaphor and the Relation Between Parent and Child
The bow metaphor present at the end of the poem works to solidify the connection between the world, the parent, and the child. At first, the metaphor is presented to simply go along with the message explained beforehand, further instructing parents to be the start of a child’s journey of living, self-discovery, and realization. Then, it is further developed by introducing the concept of an archer, an outside force that is akin to life itself, fate, or God’s will: “The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far” (Gibran 21-22). The archer uses the parents as a bow, so that the children may become the arrows to create the future. In this relationship, both the parents and their children are presented as uniquely valuable, because only a bow can launch an arrow, and only the arrow can fly far into tomorrow.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kahlil Gibran’s poem can be seen as an excellent example of a palpable authorial intent, tone, metaphor use, and creative writing. A combination of these aspects allows the poem to gain a clear creative voice, while also becoming more memorable and unique in the process. The ability of the author to connect inanimate objects and concepts to people’s roles in society shines through, allowing him to deliver the message with a creative twist. The metaphor of the bow and arrow accurately symbolizes both the position of people in the world according to Gibran’s view, and his overall perception of living. There are two aspects of the work that can be seen as most striking – language use and style. Their combination serves to highlight the seriousness of the discussion as a whole, establish the position of the author, and bring in the reader.
Addendum
(From) THE PROPHET
Kahlil Gibran
Your children are not your children.
They are sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
Works Cited
Gibran, Kahlil. The Prophet. National Geographic Books, 1923.
John, Divya. “Self-actualization in Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet.” LITERARY VOICE Journal, 2022.