Kamikaze Flashcards
Who wrote kamikaze and when
Beatrice garland in 2013
Key themes of kamikaze
About honour and dishonour, patriotism, memories
Structure and form of kamikaze
-written from daughter perspective in third person which creates sense of detachment which reflects the distance the speaker feels from her fathers life
-the tight control of 7 stanzas imitate the military control of the country
-use of free verse represents the need for freedom, reminds reader that soldiers depicted in war are still individuals
Context for kamikaze
-set against ww1 backdrop with the conflict between individuals in Japan and the social expectation placed upon them as honour is incredibly important in Japan
-people were taught that one persons dishonour will stain their whole family
-explores the futility of avoiding a fate set out for you by an authority or government
Key quotes of kamikaze
‘The dark shoals of fish ‘
‘Which had been the better way to die ‘
‘Nor did she meet his eyes ‘
‘Her father embarked at sunset’
Analyse quote ‘which had been the better way to die’
-creates sense of futility and inevitable fate
-the reader is forced to reflect on their own mortality and life which will end the same way as the soldiers
-the writer may be suggesting that conflict and patriotism denies humanity the enjoyment of life and nature
-soldiers are controlled by propaganda and used as a tool by the government
Analyse quote ‘The dark shoals of fish’
-represent people like the pilot who are caught in the net of society’s expectations
-sibilance implies a sense of grace and peacefulness, works to increase the pace to make the poem sound more emotional
-fish could be seen as a flag which is a warning to him
Analyse quote ‘nor did she meet his eyes ‘
-eyes are windows to the soul, he doesn’t want her to see the person has has become
-no communication as she will distance herself from him, so impact of conflict is ongoing and passed down from generation to generation
-she feels guilty to give up her husband but has no choice as culture demands her to
Analyse quote ‘he has embarked at sunset’
-Japan is known as land of rising sun (hope)
-embark means to begin, begin a new chapter where both choices lead to death
