kamikaze Flashcards
summary
In Beatrice garlands kamikaze, the speaker describes her father, a kamikaze pilot heading out one day on a suicide mission but returning back. The poem explores the pilots ostracisation from his community because of failing to do what was seen as his duty. His own wife, neighbours and eventually children refuse to acknowledge him and act as if he is not there
context
Kamikaze pilots were Japanese pilots that were expected to fly into their enemy to destroy them, killing themselves in the process. It was part of their duty to their country and to turn back on a mission would have brought shame to your family and community
structure - narrative shift
The move from third person narrator to the first person (pov of daughter) in the last two stanzas of the poem reveals the inner thoughts and feelings of the pilots daughter.
It reveals her conflicting emotions about the way her father was treated. the shift is also marked using italics as if to emphasise the importance of the speakers words and the significance of what she is saying
structure - caesura
the caesura ,which signifies the aside (remark that is intended to be heard by the audience but unheard by characters) marks the daughters moment of contemplation. ‘but half way there, she thought, recounting it to her children’
this moment also mirrors the pilots hesitation
key concept - nature
Garland highlights the beauty of nature to help us empathise with the pilots reasons for turning back. also used to forewarn of dreadful things to come
key concept - irony
There is an intense sense of irony in the poem - although the pilot returns alive, he has still suffered a death of sorts. This creates sympathy for the plight of the pilot and the fact he can’t escape his fate.
key concept - family and childhood
The allure of childhood is a key theme in this poem. The poet presents memories of childhood as something that lures the pilot back from his mission and triggers the change of heart.
we see how duty affects family relationships
‘with a flask of water, a samurai sword in the cockpit’
listing - suggests this is a ritual and gives a sense of dignity and respect for the tradition
‘one way journey into history’
metaphor - this is indicative of the significance of the act and the honour it could bring him
‘strung out like bunting’
simile - a positive image with connotations of celebration. this forms an ironic perspective given what the pilot is about to do. this simile could also symbolise joy and remind us of what the pilot is leaving behind
‘her father embarked at sunrise’
symbolism - Japan is known as the land of the rising sun so this could be a reference to the countrys heritage, it is also symbolic of hope.
‘a tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous’
dark imagery - this hints of the more powerful even predatory side of nature and perhaps the darker end to the poem
‘green-blue transparent sea’
natural imagery - highlights the beauty of the world and everything the pilot is willing to lose, then helps us empathise with the pilots decision to turn back
comparison - conflicting emotions
poppies
bayonet charge
war photographer
comparison - power of memory
poppies
the emigree
comparison - power of society
London
the emigree
comparison - the power of nature
ozymandias
storm on the island
tissue
exposure
the prelude
