Kamikaze Flashcards
How does the poet present the emotional after effects of war in Kamikaze?
Presents the psychological trauma caused by societal pressure and cultural indoctrination. Therefore and ultimately, if you don’t sacrifice yourself for your country, it would have been extremely shameful.
What quotes would you use?
“samurai sword”, “shaven head”, “incantations”.
“the little fishing boats strung out like bunting on a green-blue translucent sea”
“journey into history”
“figure of eight”
“till gradually we too learned to be silent”
“which had been the better way to die”
“samurai sword”, “shaven head”, “incantations”
The cultural influence caused him to go on the mission in the first place.
He has been indoctrinated, however he escaped the manipulation by turning back.
But his family didn’t. Cultural influences will therefore always have power over you even if you don’t believe they are right.
“bunting” and “green-blue translucent sea”
Celebrating life, he is having an epiphany. The beauty of nature reminded him to live fully. He is returning to a more innocent time which convinces him to keep living.
“figure of eight”
Infinity sign:
Highlights the inescapable cycle of patriotism. It is futile and never-ending no matter what decision is made. If he carries out the mission, he will die a painful death and leave his family broken without a father. But if he turns back, he will bring shame onto his family for generations and as a result feel isolated for the rest of his days.
“we children still chattered and laughed
“till gradually we too learned to be silent”
“gradually” suggests reluctance
“learned” demonstrates how these views aren’t innate in the children; they have been indoctrinated.
“we too”- even the grandchildren feel the effects of war after so many years. This cultural pressure even affects children.
The enjambment resembles the shift in the children’s view: from innocence to corruption.
“chattered” is juxtaposed with “silent”
This amplifies how unnatural the change in the children’s behaviour is, because they “learned” to be this way.
“Which had been the better way to die”
“had been”
Suggesting that he actually died when he turned back. This is a metaphor for his social death. Therefore, the effects of war on the pilot is that he is alone, isolated and has no purpose. He has been dehumanised as he no longer was acknowledged as a person worthy of care and respect, and was tragically rejected from everyone in society- including his family. He was “no longer the father we loved”
What could you say about the structure of Kamikaze?
The fact that this is from the daughter’s perspective means that he has no voice. The pilot himself had learned to be “silent”.
