Kamikaze

Question 1

Key themes/surface meaning?

Answer 1

On the topic of conflict however the real conflict is between the rules of a society owner in Japanese culture and the will to survive in return to a family.

Question 2

Deeper meaning?

Answer 2

Inner conflict, poem explores the futility of trying to avoid your own fate and origins, be it natural or man made. War removes identity; you just are a ‘soldier’. How traditions can make you confined and blinded. There is a disconnect between responsibility, personal and greater.

Question 3

Quote 1 and explanation?

Answer 3

‘one way journey into history’- metaphor, he’s making history, he doesn’t plan on returning. Acceptance

Question 4

Quote 2 and explanation?

Answer 4

‘Flashing silver’ - reflecting, silver is symbolic to deception, trickery, betrayal, flashing implies a warning.

Question 5

Quote 3 and explanation?

Answer 5

‘Figure of eight’ - Symbolic Figure of 8 ∞ the infinity symbol, repetitive cycle and feeling trapped by his destiny.

Question 6

Structure?

Answer 6

poem changes to italic font during the penultimate stanza is to indicate the change of speaker from narrator to daughter. The consistent structure uses quite regular syllable patterns gives the poem a tone of nostalgia but also the rhythm of the waves which can represent a helplessness.

Question 7

Poet?

Answer 7

Garland