Kamikaze Flashcards
context, meaning and purpose
-In World War 2, Japanese Kamikaze pilots would fly manned missiles into targets such as ships.
-This poem explores a kamikaze pilot’s journey towards battle, his decision to return, and how he is shunned when he returns home.
-As he looks down at the sea, the beauty of nature and memories of childhood make him decide to turn back
Context
-Cowardice or surrender was a great shame in wartime Japan.
-To surrender meant shame for you and your family, and rejection by society: “he must
have wondered which had been
the better way to die”.
The Japanese word ‘kamikaze’ means ‘divine wind’ or ‘heavenly wind’, and has its origin in a heaven-sent storm that scattered an invading fleet in 1250.
“dark shoals of…”
“dark shoals of fish flashing silver”: image links to a Samurai sword – conveys the conflict between his love for nature/life and his sense of duty. Also has sibilance.
“they treated him as though…”
“they treated him as though he no longer existed”: cruel irony – he chose to live but now must live as though he is dead.
“was no longer the…”
“was no longer the father we loved”: the pilot was forever affected by his decision.
“Her father embarked at…”
“Her father embarked at
sunrise.”
“In the cockpit,… full of powerful incantations.”
“In the cockpit, a shaven head
full of powerful incantations.”
“For a one-way journey… ”
“For a one-way journey in to
history.”
“Beneath them, arcing in… flag.”
“Beneath them, arcing in
swathes like a huge flag.”
“Remembered how he and his
brothers…”
“Remembered how he and his
brothers waiting on the shore.”
“Yes, grandfather`s…”
“Yes, grandfather`s boat –
safe.”
“Gradually we too learned…, to live as though he had…”
“Gradually we too learned to be
silent, to live as though he had
never returned.”
