The poem called “A Kite is a victim” written by Leonard Cohen includes several literary devices. After my own examination, I suggest that the main subject of the writer’s work revolves around life. Cohen discusses the connections and achievements we experience in our lives. Personally, I believe that the kite symbolizes the core of life and existence. Each stanza in the poem starts with a literary device, where the kite serves as the focus. These devices will be studied in relation to the main theme of the poem.
The first tenor discussed by Cohen can be found in the first line of the first stanza, where he writes: “A kite is a victim you are sure of.” This statement involves personification, as Cohen uses the human quality of being a “victim” to describe an inanimate object. In this metaphorical comparison, the kite represents the tenor, while the vehicle is clearly the concept of being a victim. The first stanza explores the characteristics of life and love, portraying the kite as a victim similar to how life can be sacrificial and inevitably painful at times. Just as we experience happiness, we must also endure sadness and hurt. We are certain of these experiences because they are part of our daily lives. We understand that we must go through these hardships in order to progress. Cohen describes this situation as tempting because it pulls us. Life is intriguing because we cannot fully control it; just like a kite in the wind, it has its ups and downs.
The identification of the next tenors can be found in the first stanza, specifically in the third and fourth lines. Both lines exemplify personification by attributing human qualities to the kite: “Gentle enough to call you master, strong enough to call you fool.” In these examples, the kite is the tenor and the entire lines serve as the vehicle. It is important to note that a kite cannot possess qualities such as being gentle or strong, nor can it verbally address someone.
These tenors encompass a wide range of emotions and strength in life, reminiscent of a discussion about god and the gift of life. Their effect is both gentle, evoking feelings of strength and power, and strong enough to inspire humility.
In Cohen’s poem, the sixth line uses a simile to compare a falcon and a kite: “like a desperate trained falcon.” Once again, the kite is the tenor, while the “desperate trained falcon” serves as the vehicle. The metaphor of a “desperate trained falcon” describes a powerful bird whose desperation has compromised its independence. Similar to this falcon, the kite symbolizes one’s livelihood, which requires both freedom and strength, yet also demands conformity to societal expectations. The line “In the high sweet air, and you can always haul it down” suggests that the kite is always under one’s control and possession.
The last trope in the first stanza appears in the ninth line: “to tame it in your drawer.” It is a metaphor that represents the taming of the falcon, with the drawer symbolizing the confines of society. Although you can’t actually tame a falcon in a drawer, the author suggests that it represents a person’s independence and freedom in life, while the drawer represents the natural conformity within society. Another metaphor used is “A kite is a fish you have already caught”, where the kite represents life and the fish already caught represents something you already have and can never replace. The author advises to play the kite carefully and for as long as possible, without giving up, implying that one should live life to the fullest. The twelfth line in this stanza is also a rhetorical figure, where the fish is the tenor and play is the vehicle. This line highlights the significance of living a playful and fulfilling life.
The third stanza introduces another metaphor, following the pattern of the previous stanzas, where Leonard Cohen compares life and accomplishments to a kite. He likens the last poem one has written to the vehicle of this metaphor. Just as your most recent accomplishment is precious, it is challenging to let go of the past without something new on the horizon. This stanza emphasizes the significance and sentimentality of life’s achievements and memories, but also acknowledges the need to move forward towards fresh experiences.
In the fourth stanza, Cohen continues the established pattern by starting with a metaphor comparing life to a kite. He refers to the kite as a “contract of glory” in this particular section. The contract of glory represents the desire to live and achieve, embodying the natural law and human drive for life. The second line emphasizes that this agreement must be made with a higher power, symbolized as the sun. It implies that one must acknowledge and accept both the act of living and dying, participating in the cyclical process of life. This agreement is temporary, but one must embrace the path of life and establish connections with nature and surroundings. Accepting what is given and preparing for one’s own future is key.The phrase “You pray the whole cold night before” in the twenty-fourth line signifies the preceding night leading to one’s demise. During this time, you purify yourself from transgressions by engaging in prayer.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, there is another instance of personification in line 25. Here, the kite is not the focus. Cohen attributes human qualities to the moon. While it is impossible for the moon to be cordless or traveling, some argue that the vehicle (or tenor) is cordless. The moon is described as the light in the darkness, moving forward unrestricted unlike the kite. This experience is liberating, signaling a time to let go and embrace death. Accepting death brings purity and often even more fame. When you die, you leave behind memories and worthiness, becoming completely pure and important through your legacy.
Leonard Cohen presents profound perspectives on life through this poem, showcasing clear connections between metaphors and the poem’s underlying theme. Each metaphor serves as a tenor, offering insightful interpretations. The theme of life and living carries great potency. Cohen has skillfully integrated impactful examples of tenors within this profound poem.
