1. What are the themes in the prose KITE have?

 Control and Freedom: This is the central theme,lies between

Herbert and his mother. Herbert's entire life is controlled by his
mother, even as an adult. His desire for the kite represent his
urge for independence.
 Rebellion and Defiance: When Herbert buys and flies the kite
despite his mother's prohibition, he commits an act of rebellion
against her authority. This act serves as a turning point in their
relationship.
 Mother-Son Conflict: The story shows the complexities of a
mother-son relationship. Mrs. Sunbury's controlling nature and
Herbert's rebellion show how parental manipulation can
hamper a child's growth.
 Identity and Self-discovery: By flying the kite, Herbert
experiences a sense of self and discovers his personality that
were suppressed by his mother. The kite becomes a symbol of
his individuality.
 Loss and Acceptance: The loss of the kite, represents
Herbert's ultimate liberation. It forces him to accept that some
things are beyond his control
 Symbolism of the Kite: The kite itself is a multifaceted
symbol. It represents freedom, joy, defiance, and self-
discovery.
 Social Class and Expectation: The Sunbury family's believe
social norms and stop Herbert's to develop individuality.
 Masculinity and Vulnerability: Herbert's journey towards self-
discovery involves understanding of men’s qualities in a way
that allows for emotional expression and independence.
 Psychological Repression and Release: The story hints at
the psychological impact of Mrs. Sunbury's control on Herbert,
and his flight with the kite symbolizes a release from those
suppressed emotions.

2. What are the styles of the prose KITE have?

 Simple and Direct Language:Writter employs a
straightforward prose style, mirroring the nature of the kite
itself.
 Flashbacks and Internal Monologue: The prose jumps back
and forth between present and past, mirroring the way Herbert
try to fight with memories and emotions with the kite.
 Vivid Sensory Details: When describing the act of flying the
kite, the writing bursts with tactile details. We feel the wind
tugging at the string, hear the laughter of children, and see the
size of the sky full with freedom. This mirrors Herbert's
connection to the world beyond his mother's control.
 Irony and Contrast: The stark contrast between Herbert's
obedient life and the freedom of the kite creates a powerful
irony. This mirrors the theme of control and show Herbert's
control of own against his mother's suffocating grip.
 Symbolism-laden Description: Every element surrounding
the kite show a symbolic meaning. The wind represents
liberation, the string represent connection, and the open sky
represent infinity of possibilities.
3. What is Jocasta complex?
Jocasta Complex: In Greek mythology, Jocasta unknowingly
married her son . The complex,refers to an unconscious desire of
a mother towards her son. This complex usually starts from an
unhealthy attachment and possessiveness of the mother towards
her son,disturbing his emotional development and independence.

4. State some arguments against Jocasta Complex.

 Age Gap: Mrs. Sunbury is described as middle-aged, while
Walter is a young man. The significant age difference makes
the application of Jocasta complex less likely.
 Focus on Control: Mrs. Sunbury's behavior seems driven
more by a desire for control and emotional dependence on her
son.
For example:
Hubert is young man of twenty one ages; Mrs. Sunbury still
treated him like a child
"If you're a good boy and wash your teeth regularly without me
telling you I shouldn't be surprised if Santa brings you a kite on
Christmas day."

5. State some arguments in favor of Jocasta complex.

Mrs. Sunbury's behavior:
 Controlling actions: Interfering in Herbert's marriage shoes a
desire to control his life choices.
 Possessive tendencies: Controling his independence,
viewing him as an extension of her.
 Symbolic gestures: The kite representing their emotional
bond with Mrs. Sunbury holding the string (control).
Herbert's potential oedipal tendencies:
 Emotional dependence: Seeking her approval, difficulty
establishing boundaries.
 Resentment towards Betty: Seeing her as a rival for his
mother's affection, struggling to prioritize his own marriage.
 Struggle for independence: Difficulty breaking free from his
mother's controlling influence.

6. State some arguments in favour of oedipal

complex.
 Mrs. Sunbury's overbearing control: This control creates an
unhealthy dependence in Herbert, mirroring the mother-son
bond at the Oedipus complex.
 Herbert's lack of agency and struggle for independence:
Herbert's inability to break free from his mother's expectations
reflects the Oedipal struggle from his mothrt’s control.

7. State some arguments against an Oedipal Complex

in "The Kite".
 Lack of overt sexual desires towards Mrs. Sunbury:
This absence of classic Oedipal elements weakens the argument.
 Broader themes of societal expectations and conformity:
Herbert's struggles could be seen as part of a larger societal
issue, not by Oedipal complex.
8. What are the symbolism of kite in “the kite”?
The kite in "The Kite" by W. Somerset Maugham is a powerful
symbol with multiple layers of meaning. Here are some:
Freedom and Escape:
 The kite fly above the town, its strings connecting Herbert to
the open sky. This represent his urge for freedom from the
control of his mother.
 Flying the kite allows him to escape the limitations of his reality
and experience a sense of his own power.
Artistic Passion and Self-Expression:
 The kite becomes Herbert's passion, something he truly cares
about. It represents his artistic side and his helps to express
himself outside the societal expectations.
 The act of building and flying the kite becomes a creative
outlet, allowing him to find meaning and purpose beyond his
role.
Fragility and Mortality:
 The kite, despite its flying potential, is fragile. It can be easily
destroyed by the wind or other forces, reminding Herbert of his
own happiness.
 This fragility adds to the tension and drama of the story, as
Herbert risks losing everything, including his newfound
freedom and passion, if he fails to hold the kite.
9. Write about the Character of Mrs. Sunbury.
 Mrs. Sunbury: A Portrait in Control
Mrs. Sunbury in W. Somerset Maugham's "The Kite" is a
complex character, her personality made from threads of
control, ambition, and ultimately, tragedy.
o The Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove:
 Controlling and Manipulative: She dictates Herbert's life

with the care. (Example: "He had never known opposition of

any sort from his mother. His wishes had been hers...")
 Socially Ambitious and Possessive: Her primary concern
lies in maintaining her family's social standing, viewing
Herbert as an extension of herself and her
ambitions. (Example: "She was a model of propriety. She
had brought him up with the utmost care...")
 Cold and Unemotional: Despite claiming to love
Herbert, she lacks warmth and genuine affection, creating a
barrier between them. (Example: "She had never shown him
any tenderness... She had never kissed him.")
o An Unintended Consequence:
o Stifling Herbert's Individuality: By controlling every aspect

of his life, Mrs. Sunbury unknowingly stops Herbert's

emotional and personal growth. He struggles to develop a
sense of self. (Example: "He loathed the office...he felt like a
fly caught in a web.")
o Fueling Conflict with Betty: Her disapproval of Betty
isolates Herbert and fuels the internal conflict he
faces. (Example: "She's common, she is, common as dirt.")
 o Symbolism and Interpretation:
 The House: Mrs. Sunbury's controlled and ordered home
reflects her urge for structure and dominance.
 The Kite: While symbolizing Herbert's need for freedom, it
also represents the thread connecting him to his mother's
expectations.

10. Write the Character of Herbert:

Herbert in "The Kite" is a relatable character whose struggle for
identity and independence.
Submissive and Dependent:
 Motivation: Fear of disappointing his mother and disrupting

the established order.

 Impact: Leaves him feeling emotionally unfulfilled.
Yearning for Freedom and Passion:
 Motivation: A natural human desire for autonomy and self-

expression, suppressed by his upbringing.

 Impact: Sparks against his mother's dominance and
awakens a sense of purpose within him.
Caught Between Two Worlds:
 Motivation: Disagree sense of loyalty and a fear of the

unknown.
 Impact: Creates internal struggle and hide his ability to
make decisive choices.
Naïve and Gullible:
 Motivation: Lack of experience and an eagerness to please

others.
 Impact: Leads to poor decisions and contributes to his
downfall.
A Sympathetic Tragic Figure:
 Motivation: Ultimately unable to overcome the power

dynamics and societal pressures.

 Impact: The destructive consequences of conforment and
desires.

11. Write about the Character of Betty.

Enigmatic and Alluring:
 Description: Described as "pretty in a common way," Betty

possesses a certain charm and mystery that attracts

Herbert. Her appearance is both simple and interesting,
mirroring her great role in the story.
 Motivation: Driven by a desire for independence and a
better life, Betty seeks an escape from her background.
 Impact: Disturbs the established dynamic between Herbert
and his mother, introducing conflict and challenging
Herbert's comfortable life.
Independent and Ambitious:
 Motivation: She wants to work on her own path and escape

the bad circumstances.

  Impact: Challenges Herbert's traditional worldview and
pushes him to consider breaking free from his mother's
controlling influence.
Manipulative and Self-Serving:
 Motivation: While she may genuinely care for Herbert, her

actions are often driven by her own interests.

Impact: Heightens the tension of the story, leaving readers

12. Justification the ending of “the kite”

Arguments for the ending:

 Tragic realism: The ending reflects the harsh realities of

life, where dreams get crushed by societal

pressures, control, and manipulation.
 Cathartic effect: The tragedy give birth to pity and
sadness, ultimately leading to a cathartic experience for the
reader.
 Open to interpretation: It encourages readers to engage
with the themes, analyze the characters' motivations, and
draw their own conclusions.
Arguments against the ending:
 Unjust and pessimistic: The ending feels unfair and

harsh, punishing Herbert for his yearning for freedom and

leaving no room for hope or redemption.
 Cliched and predictable: Some readers might find the
ending predictable, with Herbert succumbing to his mother's
control and his dreams shattered.