Kamikaze Flashcards
What is the significance of the title ‘Kamikaze’?
It suggests a journey to death, reflecting the fate of kamikaze pilots.
What does the pilot carry with him on his mission?
A flask of water, a samurai sword, a shaven head full of incantations, and enough fuel for a one-way journey.
How does the second stanza change the direction of the poem?
The plane is still flying, but it turns around.
What is the irony in the imagery of bunting?
Bunting is associated with celebration, yet there is no victorious return for the pilot.
What does the reference to ‘little fishing boats’ imply?
It highlights the pilot’s distraction from his mission, which should have been aimed at enemy ships.
What do flags symbolize in the poem?
National identity and their potential to direct or stop actions.
How do the sibilant sounds in the poem affect its reading?
They reflect the smooth movement of fish and hint at the samurai sword’s movement.
What does the pilot’s childhood memory contrast with?
The innocent activities of childhood contrast with his role in the war.
What does the repetition of ‘safe’ suggest?
It hints at the pilot’s desire to protect his children from pain.
What does the description of the tuna evoke?
It reminds the reader of the dangers of nature.
How does the pilot’s family react to his return?
They treat him as if he no longer exists.
What colors are used to describe nature in the poem?
Silver and pearl-grey.
What does the final sentence in the poem imply?
It comments on the destructiveness of patriotism and the family’s shame.
How is the pilot’s experience depicted in relation to his daughter?
She reflects on his changed nature and the silence that follows his return.
What is the form of the poem?
Mostly narrated in the third person using reported speech, with direct speech later.
What is the structure of the poem?
The first five stanzas form one sentence about the pilot’s flight, ending with the plane landing.
What does the poem highlight about patriotism?
It emphasizes the pilot’s initial sense of pride and the shame from failing his duty.
What feelings are associated with the pilot’s daughter’s perspective?
Regret and empathy for her father’s experience.
Fill in the blank: Kamikaze pilots flew on ______ missions into enemy ships.
suicide
True or False: The pilot’s daughter approves of her father’s actions.
False
What themes are present in the poem?
Identity, memory, power of nature.
What is the significance of the fish in the poem?
They symbolize beauty and the power of nature, influencing the pilot’s decision.
