Kamikaze Flashcards
Who wrote Kamikaze ?
BEATRICE GARLAND
What is the context of Kamikaze ?
In Japan, during World War II, pilots were expected to carry out suicide missions.
They would use their weapons to fight and then fly directly into the warships of the opposition
It was deemed honourable to sacrifice your life for your country.
What is the plot of Kamikaze ?
The speaker is relaying the situation
Whilst flying he is reminded of reasons why he should stay alive; through memories and nature.
He returns home but is shunned by all those close to him.
His wife and the community regard him a defector; they would have rather he died in honour of the country.
The pilot’s children are conditioned by peer pressure and too stop loving their father.
What is the structure of Kamikaze ?
Seven six-lined stanzas - tight showing military control
Free verse - wanting freedom
What are the themes of Kamikaze ?
Power of humans
Power of nature
War
Identity
How is imagery of nature used in kamikaze ?
‘green-blue translucent sea’
What is the final line of Kamikaze ?
he must have wondered which had been a better way to die
How does his mother treat him in Kamikaze ?
My mother never spoke again
How is patriotism shown in Kamikaze ?
One way journey into history
How is peer-pressure shown in Kamikaze ?
We too learned to be silent
How does nature change the pilot in Kamikaze?
“Shoals of fishes flashing silver”
How is change showed in Kamikaze ?
“As though he no longer existed”
