Kes (1969)

Brief Intro

🎥 Kes (1969), directed by Ken Loach, is a poignant British film that chronicles the life of a young boy, Billy Casper, in a working-class Yorkshire town. Struggling with a bleak home and school life, Billy finds solace and a sense of freedom in training a kestrel he names Kes. The film is a heart-wrenching portrayal of youthful dreams amidst harsh realities.

Literary Devices Used in Kes

1. Symbolism

Movie Scene	Device Example
Billy discovering and training Kes	Kes symbolizes hope and freedom for Billy.
School scenes with Mr. Sugden	The football match symbolizes the societal hierarchy.

2. Irony

Movie Scene	Device Example
Billy’s mother disregards his passion for Kes	The irony lies in her ignorance of his unique talent.
The headmaster’s harsh punishment of Billy	The irony of adults failing to understand Billy’s needs.

3. Foreshadowing

Movie Scene	Device Example
Early scenes of Billy being bullied	Foreshadows his ongoing struggles throughout the film.
Billy’s growing attachment to Kes	Foreshadows the eventual tragic climax.

4. Metaphor

Movie Scene	Device Example
Billy’s care for Kes	Represents his yearning for care and attention.
The oppressive school environment	Metaphor for societal constraints and lack of opportunity.

5. Pathos

Movie Scene	Device Example
Billy’s isolation in school and at home	Elicits deep empathy and sorrow from the audience.
The tragic end of Kes	Evokes profound sadness and frustration.

6. Hyperbole

Movie Scene	Device Example
Mr. Sugden’s exaggerated football match behavior	Highlights his absurdity and the farcical nature of authority.
The headmaster’s extreme punishments	Emphasizes the harshness and unfairness of the school system.

7. Juxtaposition

Movie Scene	Device Example
Billy’s solitary moments with Kes vs. chaotic home life	Contrasts peace and chaos, emphasizing his need for escape.
Scenes of nature vs. industrial townscape	Highlights the stark difference between freedom and entrapment.

8. Dialogue

Movie Scene	Device Example
Conversations between Billy and his brother Jud	Reveals the family dynamics and underlying tensions.
Billy’s interactions with Mr. Farthing	Showcases Billy’s intelligence and hidden potential.

9. Setting

Movie Scene	Device Example
The rundown town and bleak school	Establishes the oppressive atmosphere of Billy’s life.
The open fields where Billy trains Kes	Represents freedom and the possibility of escape.

10. Mood

Movie Scene	Device Example
The dreary scenes at Billy’s home and school	Creates a mood of despair and hopelessness.
The uplifting moments with Kes	Provides a temporary mood of hope and joy.

Character Analysis Through Literary Devices

Character Studies

Billy Casper

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Billy’s relationship with Kes symbolizes his desire for freedom and escape from his oppressive environment.
Dialogue	His conversations with Mr. Farthing reveal his intelligence and potential, contrasting with how others perceive him.

Mr. Farthing

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	Despite being a teacher, Mr. Farthing shows genuine care and understanding, unlike his colleagues.
Dialogue	His encouraging words to Billy highlight his role as a mentor and a figure of hope.

Jud Casper

Literary Device	Explanation
Hyperbole	His extreme behavior towards Billy underscores the toxic family dynamics.
Juxtaposition	His harshness contrasts with Billy’s tenderness towards Kes, emphasizing their differing outlooks on life.

Mrs. Casper

Literary Device	Explanation
Irony	Her neglect of Billy’s talents and interests highlights the irony of a parent’s role.
Setting	Her presence in the bleak home environment emphasizes the lack of nurturing in Billy’s life.

Character Dynamics

Billy’s relationships with other characters are central to the narrative and themes. His bond with Mr. Farthing contrasts with his strained interactions with his family, particularly Jud. These dynamics drive the story, illustrating the stark differences in the support and understanding Billy receives.

Thematic Analysis

Oppression and Freedom

Literary Device	Explanation
Symbolism	Kes represents the freedom Billy yearns for, contrasting with his oppressive life.
Setting	The industrial town setting emphasizes the confinement and lack of opportunities.

Isolation and Connection

Literary Device	Explanation
Pathos	Billy’s isolation elicits empathy, highlighting his need for connection.
Dialogue	His interactions with Kes and Mr. Farthing showcase his ability to form meaningful connections.

Hope and Despair

Literary Device	Explanation
Mood	The alternating moods of despair at home/school and hope with Kes reflect Billy’s inner turmoil.
Foreshadowing	Early signs of Billy’s attachment to Kes foreshadow the tragic end, underscoring the fleeting nature of hope.

Cinematic Techniques That Enhance Literary Devices

Literary Device	Technique	Explanation
Symbolism	Close-up shots	Focus on Kes highlights its symbolic significance to Billy.
Mood	Sound design	The use of ambient sounds enhances the film’s melancholic mood.
Juxtaposition	Contrast lighting	Differences in lighting between scenes with Kes and other settings emphasize emotional contrasts.
Pathos	Music score	The sparse, emotive score underlines the emotional weight of key scenes.

Key Scene Analysis

Scene: Billy Trains Kes

YouTube Link

• Breakdown: This scene is a pivotal moment where Billy finds joy and purpose. The use of close-up shots on Kes and Billy’s face emphasizes the bond they share. The serene music contrasts with the otherwise harsh soundscape of his daily life, highlighting the peace Billy finds in this activity.

Scene: The Football Match

YouTube Link

• Breakdown: The football match is both humorous and tragic. Mr. Sugden’s exaggerated behavior is a critique of authority figures, and the chaotic cinematography mirrors Billy’s internal turmoil and the absurdity of his circumstances.

Scene: The Tragic Climax

YouTube Link

• Breakdown: The heartbreaking scene where Billy discovers Kes’s fate is filmed with raw, emotional intensity. The silence and close-up shots on Billy’s devastated expression amplify the sense of loss and despair. This moment is a culmination of the film’s exploration of hope and its destruction.

Conclusion

To wrap up, here’s a fun and interactive quiz to test your understanding of the literary devices in Kes (1969). Click on the correct answer to see how well you grasped the analysis!

Quiz

1. What does Kes symbolize for Billy?
   • A) Friendship
   • B) Freedom
   • C) Power
2. Which literary device is used to highlight the harshness of the school environment?
   • A) Hyperbole
   • B) Foreshadowing
   • C) Irony
3. How does Mr. Farthing’s role contrast with other authority figures in the film?
   • A) Through symbolism
   • B) Through dialogue
   • C) Through hyperbole
4. What mood is created by the scenes with Kes?
   • A) Joy and hope
   • B) Anger and frustration
   • C) Fear and anxiety