Welcome, everyone, to a wonderful journey into the heart of poetry! Today, we are going to explore a truly captivating poem that speaks volumes about freedom, joy, and the human spirit. Get ready to uncover the layers of meaning in Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s “Woman with Kite.”
Woman with Kite
By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Meadow of crabgrass, faded dandelions, querulous child‑like voice. She takes from her son’s disgruntled hands the spool of the kite that will not fly.
Pulls on the heavy string; ground grit rough between her thumb and finger. Feels the kite, a translucent purple square, rise in a resistant arc, flapping against the wind. Kicks off her chappals, tucks up her kurta so she can run with it; light flecking off her hair as when she was carefree, up, up.
Past the puff‑cheeked cloud, she follows it, her eyes slit‑smiling at the sun. She has forgotten her tugging children, their “give me, give me” wails. She sprints backwards, sure‑footed, she cannot fall, connected to the air; she is flying, the wind blows through her, takes her red dupatta, mark of marriage. And she laughs like a woman should never laugh.
So the two widows on the park bench stare and huddle their white‑veiled heads to gossip‑whisper. The children have fallen, breathless, in the grass behind. She laughs like wild water, shaking her braids loose, she laughs like a fire, the spool a blur between her hands, the string unraveling all the way to release it into space, her life, into its bright weightless orbit.
Unveiling “Woman with Kite”: A Summary and Central Idea
The poem “Woman with Kite” by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni is a powerful and widely acclaimed piece that beautifully captures a moment of profound liberation. It tells the story of a woman, burdened by the everyday responsibilities of motherhood and societal expectations, who finds an unexpected and exhilarating escape through the simple act of flying a kite.
Initially, the scene is one of domestic frustration: a “meadow of crabgrass, faded dandelions, querulous child‑like voice” sets a somewhat mundane and perhaps weary tone. Her son struggles with a kite that “will not fly.” When she takes the spool, a transformation begins. As she runs with the kite, shedding her footwear and adjusting her clothing, she sheds more than just physical encumbrances. She momentarily forgets her “tugging children, their ‘give me, give me’ wails” and the judging eyes of “the two widows on the park bench.”
The central idea of “Woman with Kite” revolves around the universal human yearning for freedom, self‑expression, and the rediscovery of pure, uninhibited joy, especially in the face of societal constraints. The poem celebrates a woman’s defiant act of reclaiming a moment of personal bliss, transcending the roles and duties traditionally imposed upon her. It highlights the tension between obligation and personal fulfillment, ultimately presenting a triumphant image of liberation as the woman, like the kite, ascends into a “bright weightless orbit.” This poem resonates deeply with readers because it portrays a universal desire to break free, even if just for a fleeting moment, from the ties that bind us.
An In-Depth “Woman with Kite” Analysis: Exploring Literary Devices
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni masterfully employs a rich tapestry of literary devices to bring the woman’s journey to life, making “Woman with Kite” a compelling and memorable read. Understanding these techniques deepens our appreciation for the poem’s themes and emotional impact.
Imagery: Painting Pictures with Words
Imagery is the use of descriptive language to appeal to our senses, allowing us to see, hear, feel, taste, and smell what the poet describes. Divakaruni uses vivid imagery to immerse the reader in the woman’s experience:
- Visual Imagery: “Meadow of crabgrass, faded dandelions” immediately sets a somewhat neglected, ordinary scene. The “translucent purple square” of the kite offers a specific, almost ethereal visual. Later, “light flecking off her hair” evokes a sense of youthful energy, while “puff‑cheeked cloud” adds a whimsical touch to the sky. The image of “white‑veiled heads to gossip‑whisper” starkly contrasts the woman’s freedom with societal scrutiny.
- Tactile Imagery: “ground grit rough between her thumb and finger” allows the reader to feel the effort and connection to the earth as she struggles with the kite. This physical sensation grounds the initial struggle before her ascent.
- Auditory Imagery: The “querulous child‑like voice” and “give me, give me’ wails” vividly portray the demanding sounds of her children, emphasizing the responsibilities she temporarily escapes. The “gossip‑whisper” of the widows highlights the judgmental atmosphere she defies.
These images collectively create a rich sensory experience that underscores the woman’s transformation from burdened to liberated.
Symbolism: Objects with Deeper Meanings
Symbolism is the use of objects, people, or ideas to represent something else. “Woman with Kite” is rich with powerful symbols:
- The Kite: The most prominent symbol, the kite, represents freedom, aspiration, and the woman’s own spirit. Initially, it “will not fly,” mirroring her constrained existence. As it rises, it becomes an extension of her liberation, soaring “into its bright weightless orbit.”
- The Spool and String: The “spool of the kite” and the “string unraveling” symbolize the ties that bind her to her responsibilities and societal expectations. The act of the string unraveling signifies her letting go of these restrictions, releasing her life into a boundless existence.
- The Red Dupatta: A “red dupatta, mark of marriage” is a significant cultural symbol. Its being “taken” by the wind suggests a temporary shedding or disregard for her marital status and the associated duties, allowing her to embrace a moment of pure selfhood.
- The Widows: The “two widows on the park bench” symbolize societal judgment, tradition, and the watchful eyes that enforce conventional behavior. Their “gossip‑whisper” represents the unspoken rules and expectations that the woman bravely defies.
Simile: Making Comparisons for Impact
A simile is a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using “like” or “as.” Divakaruni uses similes to powerfully convey the intensity of the woman’s joy:
- “She laughs like wild water, shaking her braids loose”
This simile compares her laughter to untamed, powerful water, suggesting its force, spontaneity, and natural, unrestrained quality. It implies a breaking free from containment. - “she laughs like a fire, the spool a blur between her hands”
Here, her laughter is compared to fire, evoking passion, intensity, and a vibrant, almost dangerous energy. This comparison emphasizes the burning joy and defiant spirit within her.
These similes vividly illustrate the profound and uninhibited nature of her laughter, which is described as something “a woman should never laugh” in her society.
Metaphor: Implied Comparisons
A metaphor is a figure of speech that directly states one thing is another, implying a comparison without using “like” or “as.” While less explicit than similes, the poem contains powerful metaphorical implications:
- “her life, into its bright weightless orbit.”
This phrase metaphorically equates her life with the kite’s trajectory, suggesting that her existence, once grounded and heavy with responsibility, can achieve a state of lightness, freedom, and self-directed movement, much like a celestial body in its own orbit.
Personification: Giving Human Qualities to Inanimate Objects
Personification is attributing human qualities or actions to inanimate objects or abstract ideas:
- “Past the puff‑cheeked cloud”
The cloud is given human-like “cheeks” that are “puffed,” creating a whimsical and gentle image of the sky, almost as if the cloud is exhaling or playfully watching the kite’s ascent.
Alliteration: Repetition of Initial Consonant Sounds
Alliteration is the repetition of initial consonant sounds in words close to each other, creating a musical effect and emphasizing certain phrases:
- “ground grit”
The repetition of the ‘g’ sound creates a harsh, tactile sensation, reinforcing the rough texture the woman feels. - “wild water”
The ‘w’ sound here enhances the fluidity and untamed quality of her laughter, making the phrase more memorable and impactful.
Assonance: Repetition of Vowel Sounds
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within words that are close to each other, contributing to the poem’s musicality:
- “to release it into space, her life, into its bright weightless orbit.”
The repeated short ‘i’ sounds, along with the long ‘e’ and ‘a’ sounds, create a sense of fluidity and lightness, mimicking the effortless ascent of the kite and the woman’s spirit. This sonic echo draws attention to the words associated with freedom and release.
Consonance: Repetition of Consonant Sounds within Words
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within words or at the end of words in close proximity:
- “ground grit rough between her thumb and finger.”
The repeated ‘r’ and ‘g’ sounds create a sense of friction and effort, emphasizing the initial struggle and the physical sensation of the string.
Contrast and Juxtaposition: Highlighting Differences
The poem effectively uses contrast and juxtaposition to highlight the woman’s internal state against her external reality:
- The “querulous child‑like voice” and “give me, give me’ wails” of her children are juxtaposed with her own “carefree” laughter and ascent. This highlights the stark difference between her responsibilities and her momentary liberation.
- Her “red dupatta, mark of marriage” being “taken” by the wind contrasts with the “white‑veiled heads” of the widows. This emphasizes her temporary defiance of societal norms versus the adherence to tradition by others.
- The initial struggle of the kite that “will not fly” is contrasted with its eventual soaring “up, up” and into a “bright weightless orbit,” mirroring her own journey from constraint to freedom.
These contrasts underscore the central theme of breaking free from expectations.
Poetic Devices in “Woman with Kite”
Beyond specific literary figures, the overall structure and form of the poem also contribute significantly to its impact.
Free Verse: Unbound Expression
“Woman with Kite” is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme, meter, or traditional poetic form. This choice is highly significant:
- Natural Flow: Free verse allows the poem to mimic natural speech rhythms and the spontaneous flow of thought and emotion. This mirrors the woman’s uninhibited actions and her breaking free from rigid structures.
- Emphasis on Content: Without the constraints of rhyme and meter, the poet can prioritize the emotional impact and the narrative progression, allowing the vivid imagery and powerful themes to take center stage.
Stanza Form and Pacing: A Journey of Liberation
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each contributing to the development of the narrative and thematic exploration. The varying lengths and internal structure of these stanzas reflect the shifting pace and emotional arc of the woman’s experience:
- The first stanza establishes the setting and the initial struggle, with a slightly slower, more descriptive pace.
- The second and third stanzas build momentum as the woman begins to run and ascend, with longer lines and a sense of continuous action. The enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, further enhances this feeling of uninterrupted movement and thought. For example:
She sprints backwards, sure‑footed, she cannot fall, connected to the air; she is flying, the wind blows through her, takes her red dupatta, mark of marriage. And she laughs like a woman should never laugh.
This unbroken flow mirrors her disregard for societal expectations and her immersion in the moment.
- The final stanza culminates in a powerful release, with the language becoming more intense and the imagery more expansive, reflecting the ultimate liberation. The rhythm accelerates towards the climactic “bright weightless orbit.”
The Enduring Message of “Woman with Kite”
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni’s “Woman with Kite” is more than just a poem about flying a kite; it is a profound exploration of identity, freedom, and the courage to reclaim one’s joy. Through its rich imagery, powerful symbolism, and evocative language, the poem invites readers to reflect on the societal pressures we all face and the universal human desire to break free, even if only for a precious, fleeting moment. The woman’s laughter, like “wild water” and “fire,” serves as a powerful reminder that true liberation often comes from within, defying external judgments and embracing the boundless possibilities of one’s own spirit. This poem remains a cherished piece of literature, inspiring all who read it to seek their own “bright weightless orbit.”