On Children 2nd PU Summary|Notes

On Children

Introduction

Kahlil Gibran is a Lebanese-American poet who brings out the high philosophy of life in his simple and beautiful poetic essays. His “On Children” is a critique of the usual expectations of parents about their children. Through this poem he offers to guide parents on the essence of parenting with love much against the usual ways.

Summary / Theme
In this poem, a young mother approaches the Prophet to know about his wisdom on children. He captures the attention in his shocking declaration, “Your children are not your children”. He beautifully brings up the concept of Life’s creations and its aspirations. Contrary to the accepted notion of parents making claims about their children, the prophet says that they are just biological means in creation and the children do not belong to them. Children live with their parents but they do not belong to them. Parents may give their love to their children and they should never force their ideas on their children. Children have their own ideas and identity. The Prophet says that parents just have a physical bond with the children living with them. However, the souls of the children lie in the future which cannot be reached by parents. So, the advice here to parents is, they shall not force their thoughts on their children.

Parents are suggested rather to follow the ways of children than trying to change children to be like them. The Prophet says that this is because Life keeps moving forward and never retracts, nor does it remain with the past. He further substantiates his philosophy by making metaphorical references. Parents are compared to bows and children are compared to arrows. The archer, God himself sets His eyes on the target which is infinite and sends His arrows swift and far by bending the bow with His might. Parents should take delight in this act of bending that involves great strain. The Prophet strikes a perfect conclusion by referring to the Law of creation where God loves both the bow and the arrow as they complement each other on Life’s infinite journey.

Conclusion
The poem concludes that when parents raise their children without expectations, they facilitate children in reaching their goal. They should be happy for their struggles because God loves parents when they take pains with gladness. This way parents become stable and the children reach their destination.

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