Kamikaze Flashcards
What is the context of kamikaze
During WW2, Japanese kamikaze pilots flew manned suicide missions into military targets using planes filled with explosives. Soldiers and pilots were taught it was the only way to change the direction of the war and had to take part in its last resort
Context (2)
Japanese culture during the war was very honour based with people being taught that one persons dishonour will stain their whole family.
What is the tone like in kamikaze
Has a very intimate tone as garland works to contrast both the speakers and daughters voices which sometimes merge into one
Ensures the readers are aware that it’s a very personal narrative being imparted in the poem
What is the structure like in kamikaze
Structure into tightly controlled stanza lengths-reflect the order and obedience expected of a soldier
Then the structure is undermined and juxtaposed by a free verse and enjambment
Attempts of freedom within the confines of the strict stanza shows her father had his own desires roles and individuality within the contractions put in place by the Japanese government
Could also show that he’s starting to doubt his obedience and realised he wants to pursue the freedom and beauty of life unrestrained. Reminds the reader and perhaps society that the soldiers depicted in the poem are still individuals. The structural juxtaposition could also reflect the conflict between military commitment and cultural pride and the desire for life and freedom
“Her father embarked at sunrise”
The patriotism of kamikaze pilots is enforced by the patriotic imagery which is littered throughout the poem.
Reader is reminded that Japan is known as the land of the rising Sun and much of japanese world war 2 propaganda featured this emblem
Instead of this being a new day full of hope he’s potentially heading to his death- irony
“Embark”- means to get on or to begin soemthing- the father is beginning a new chapter of his life through rejecting his role as a kamikaze pilor
“He must have wondered which had been a better way to die”
The shift in narration from third person to first person acts as a Volta
Signifies a dramatic shift from external to internal perspective showing the impact that the war had on her
However the last line returns to third person
The detached tone from the beginning returns but this time to signify that she is detached from the culture which gave him the option of dying as a kamikaze pilot
Alternatively it could be a desire to detach herself from her father
“He must’ve wondered which had been the better way to die”(2)
Garland selects the dynamic verb “die” as the last word of the poem creating a sense of futility and inevitable fate- the soldier was destined to die one way or another
Reader is forced to reflect on their own mortality and life which will end the same way as the soldierS
In a more overarching societal application the writer may be suggesting that conflict and patriotism denies humanity the enjoyment of nature and life
suggests that the pilot’s spirit has already died although his body is alive. Such is the shame of what happened, such is the stunted life he has to live, that his present life is worthless.
“Like a huge flag waved first one way then the other in a figure of eight”
The speaker sees patriotism within nature such as the fish which are “like a huge flag”
Simile shows that the father and his family are indoctrinated by Japanese culture and societal norms
Illustrates to the reader of the authority that patriotism possesses as it can control their actions and their choice of how to die
Figure of eight-symbol for infinity- may be used to imply the eternal nature of nature- nature is infinite in comparison to the transience of humanity
Life is brief and precious war and honour will be forgotten and nature will remain
We are a frequent nanosecond however nature will always be timeless
“Her father embarked at sunrise” (2)
The poem is a dramatic monologue which begins abruptly. This has the effect of a hook, drawing the reader into the story. The voice is that of the narrator, telling the story of the pilot in the third person singular pronoun ‘he’. Later the narrative voice is transferred to that of his daughter and her growing understanding of her father’s plight.
