Kamikaze Flashcards
Her father embarked at sunrise
Imagery: The phrase “sunrise” is richly symbolic, invoking a sense of renewal and optimism. This image is deeply ironic, as it traditionally represents hope and new beginnings, yet in the context of the poem, it is linked to a kamikaze mission, an act ultimately leading to death. This creates an emotional tension, as the image of the “Land of the Rising Sun”—Japan’s national symbol—now appears incongruous with the inevitable sacrifice the father is about to make. The image of the sunrise suggests that the mission is viewed as honourable and patriotic, but Garland undercuts this idea, showing that such notions often obscure the tragic realities of war.
• Verb Choice (“Embarked”): The use of the verb “embarked” imparts a formal, almost ritualistic quality to the father’s departure. “Embarked” suggests a planned and purposeful journey, not a spontaneous or voluntary act. This word choice elevates the father’s actions to a level of nationalistic duty and implies a lack of autonomy in his decision. It subtly hints that he is being carried along by societal expectations and wartime ideals, positioning his journey as inevitable and preordained rather than a free choice.
2. Connotations:
• “Sunrise”: As a symbol of new beginnings and rejuvenation, the sunrise has powerful associations with hope and optimism. This evokes the idea that the father’s mission, framed within the rhetoric of patriotism and honour, is imbued with a sense of sacred duty. However, the juxtaposition with the brutal reality of a suicide mission casts a tragic shadow over the image. The use of “sunrise” thus conveys a stark irony, as it suggests a new day of glory for the nation, yet the father’s journey represents a death sentence.
• “Embarked”: The verb “embarked” has military undertones, suggesting a formal and distant departure. The word conveys a sense of ritual sacrifice, often associated with religious or national rites, where an individual is required to fulfill their duty, regardless of personal feelings. This conveys the weight of patriotic expectations that the father is unable to escape, reinforcing the theme of self-sacrifice in service to the country.
3. Effect on the Reader:
• The initial image of sunrise evokes a sense of anticipation and optimism, yet the reader is immediately struck by the tragic irony that this hopeful beginning leads only to death. This contrast deepens the emotional resonance of the poem, as the reader feels the emptiness behind the glorified notion of sacrifice. The irony of linking such a hopeful image to a kamikaze mission invites reflection on the futility of war, forcing the reader to question the true cost of nationalistic fervour and patriotism.
• The verb “embarked” suggests detachment from the personal. The father’s departure feels almost mechanical or pre-programmed, which makes the reader more acutely aware of the lack of agency in his decision. This reinforces the tragic sense that the father is not choosing this path freely, but is instead caught in the machinery of war and ideology.
4. Writer’s Intentions:
• Through the use of sunrise imagery, Garland likely intends to highlight the tragic irony of the father’s situation. While sunrise typically symbolizes new life and hope, in this context it is used to emphasize the falseness of the ideals surrounding war and sacrifice. Garland’s deliberate choice of “embarked” enhances the ritualistic, impersonal nature of the mission, suggesting that the father’s actions are more about fulfilling a nationalistic role than following his own desires. Garland critiques the dehumanising effect of propaganda and the way it reduces individuals to mere tools for war, their personal identities subsumed by the greater cause.
“A tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous
Metaphor: The phrase “dark prince” serves as a metaphor for the tuna, elevating it beyond just an animal to a symbol of power and danger. The “prince” typically refers to a figure of authority, leadership, and nobility, but the addition of “dark” transforms the metaphor into something more sinister, connoting a threatening force. The tuna is not just a fish here but is reimagined as a majestic yet ominous figure, symbolizing the dangerous forces that the pilot must confront in his mission, both externally and internally. The fish thus becomes an embodiment of the conflict the pilot faces — between honour and fear, duty and self-preservation.
2. Adjectives:
• “Dark”: The adjective “dark” carries heavy connotations of mystery, malevolence, and threat. This word choice suggests a sense of foreboding and unknown danger, as the darkness symbolizes a loss of control and the unpredictability of death. It might also reflect the moral ambiguity of the pilot’s mission: he is drawn toward a sense of duty, but this journey is also steeped in fear and destruction. It speaks to the internal conflict of the pilot, as he feels the weight of his mission but also senses the darkness in what he is being asked to do.
• “Muscular”: The use of “muscular” emphasizes the strength and physicality of the tuna. The word conveys not just a physical attribute, but a sense of vitality and power, suggesting that the tuna is both a threatening and noble force. The tuna is not a fragile creature but an assertive, dominant one, mirroring the powerful nationalistic forces that demand sacrifice from the pilot. The emphasis on physical power could also highlight the tension the pilot feels about his own strength—he is part of a larger system, but he might not possess the inner strength to go through with the sacrifice.
• “Dangerous”: This adjective underscores the threat posed by the tuna. It is not just strong, but actively threatening, adding an element of aggression and imminence. It connotes that the tuna (and by extension, the mission) is a dangerous force that the pilot must confront. This could also symbolize the ruthless forces of war, which are unforgiving and merciless.
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Connotations:
• “Tuna”: The choice of the tuna is significant. As a fish, the tuna is a creature of the sea, traditionally associated with depths, mystery, and untamed nature. In many cultures, fish represent life, but also death and danger (e.g., in mythologies or symbolism of the abyss). The tuna in the poem acts as a metaphor for the pilot’s mission: at once a beautiful, awe-inspiring creature, but also dangerous, much like the sense of duty that calls the pilot to sacrifice. It suggests that the pilot’s fate is determined by forces beyond his control, where the sea (or nature) can be both nurturing and destructive.
• “Dark prince”: The “dark prince” further elevates the sinister undertone of the image. The use of “prince” suggests a sense of noble power, but the addition of “dark” introduces an element of corruption or evil. This could be interpreted as a comment on the corrupting influence of nationalism and the illusion of glory in wartime. The dark prince is royal, but tainted, symbolizing the tragic nature of the pilot’s duty: he is part of a larger, glorious narrative, but the mission is fundamentally flawed.
• “Muscular, dangerous”: The words “muscular” and “dangerous” are laden with masculine connotations, suggesting the strength and power of the tuna. But they also carry a sense of threatening masculinity—the idea of war itself is associated with physical strength, where the soldier must often prove his worth through his ability to fight. These connotations are at odds with the pilot’s internal hesitation—the strength to go on the mission is forced, and his weakness comes from his emotional vulnerability.
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Effect on the Reader:
• The juxtaposition of the “dark prince” with “muscular” and “dangerous” makes the tuna seem not only mysterious, but also threatening—a symbol of the conflict that the pilot faces. The reader feels the weight of the pilot’s internal battle between his patriotism and his personal fears, while also being made to consider the unseen dangers that lurk in the shadows, both literally (the sea, the enemy) and metaphorically (the nationalistic ideal, the pressure to conform).
• The phrase contributes to a sense of tension and foreboding, setting up an image of the kamikaze mission as a dangerous undertaking, not just physically but emotionally. The reader is invited to reflect on the tragic nature of the mission—how it is both inevitable and wrong—where duty conflicts with human survival instincts.
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Writer’s Intentions:
• Garland’s use of the tuna as a symbolic figure is significant because it connects to the larger themes of war, nationalism, and personal sacrifice. By describing the tuna as a “dark prince”, she likely intends to convey the illusion of nobility in the mission—how soldiers are expected to embody heroism and honour but are often met with betrayal or erasure. The dangerous qualities of the tuna suggest the perils of following blind duty, where the sacrifice is unquestioned, and the human cost is ignored.
• Garland’s description of the tuna also serves to humanize the conflict. By choosing an image from nature, she invites the reader to consider that the war, like the natural world, is governed by uncontrollable forces. The tuna symbolizes the turbulent and destructive power of war, and how individuals caught in its current are often sacrificed for the greater good, but without recognition.
They treated him as though he had been dead
Simile: The phrase “as though he had been dead” is a simile that starkly conveys the alienation and rejection the pilot experiences after his return. The use of “as though” suggests that the family’s response to the pilot is almost disbelieving—they act as though he were a ghost, someone who no longer exists. This intensifies the sense of emotional death and spiritual abandonment; although the pilot is physically alive, he is treated as if he were dead to his family.
2. Juxtaposition: The phrase “had been dead” juxtaposes the idea of the pilot being alive but treated as if he were dead. This irony serves to deepen the reader’s understanding of the pilot’s alienation. He is a living sacrifice, but he has been rejected emotionally, underscoring the tragic nature of his situation. The juxtaposition highlights the disconnect between the sacrifice he made for his country and the lack of recognition or support he receives from his family.
3. Anaphora (Implied repetition): The use of “had been dead” implies an echoing sentiment of finality, which mirrors the repetitive nature of the kamikaze mission—a cycle of destruction and erasure. It emphasizes the futility of the pilot’s sacrifice and the repetition of societal expectation: once a person is deemed “unworthy” or does not conform to the glorious ideal, they are forgotten or erased.
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Connotations:
• “Had been dead”: The phrase carries strong connotations of erasure and loss. To be dead is to no longer have agency, to be forgotten, and treated as though one never existed. It suggests that the pilot’s identity has been obliterated, not by physical death, but by the emotional and psychological death imposed upon him by the community. The choice of “dead” here signifies that the pilot’s life, after his return, holds no value for his family—his sacrifice has been rendered meaningless.
• “Treated”: The word “treated” implies a clinical, almost mechanical response to the pilot’s return. He is not welcomed back as a human being with feelings and experiences, but as an object or non-person. The impersonal nature of the treatment highlights the coldness of society and the dehumanizing effects of war. It contrasts sharply with the expectation of reverence or gratitude that the pilot may have had in mind when embarking on his mission.
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Effect on the Reader:
• The phrase “as though he had been dead” elicits a strong sense of tragedy and disillusionment. The reader feels the shock and betrayal of the pilot’s situation—he returns from his mission only to be met with emotional rejection by his family. This causes the reader to reflect on the hollowness of nationalistic ideals that glorify sacrifice but fail to provide real, human connection or emotional support for those who give their lives for the state.
• The reader may also feel outraged or sympathetic for the pilot, who has endured not only the physical and psychological trauma of war but also the psychological torment of being treated as an outsider by his own family. The irony of this situation—where the pilot, who should have been welcomed as a hero, is instead discarded—creates a profound emotional resonance with the reader.
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Writer’s Intentions:
• Garland’s use of “as though he had been dead” serves to critique the dehumanizing effects of nationalism and war. By portraying the pilot’s family’s treatment of him as a living person akin to a corpse, Garland comments on the futility of patriotic sacrifice. The pilot may have given up his life for the glory of his country, but upon his return, he is not recognized as a person but as a ghost of the past.
• Garland’s intention is to show the hollowness of national glory. The pilot’s return is not met with celebration but with alienation. Through this, Garland critiques the idea that soldiers are heroes when, in reality, they are often forgotten and rejected after they’ve been used. The “deadness” of the pilot’s treatment suggests that the idealized sacrifice of the soldier is just that—an ideal—not a reality that brings any true comfort or recognition to the individual.
• Garland’s use of irony and juxtaposition in this line also serves to underscore the betrayal the pilot feels—not just from the state, but from his own family. The emotional rejection from those he fought for is perhaps the most devastating aspect of the poem, as it reveals that the pilot’s personal identity has been erased in favor of a larger, impersonal narrative of war and sacrifice.
Message
The message of “Kamikaze” by Beatrice Garland revolves around the tragic consequences of war, nationalism, and personal identity. Through the poem, Garland explores the devastating emotional and psychological impact of war on individuals, especially those who are caught in the tension between duty to their country and their humanity.
Context
Historical Context:
• Kamikaze Pilots: The poem is inspired by the kamikaze missions of World War II, in which Japanese pilots deliberately crashed their planes into enemy targets, often sacrificing their own lives. The pilots were often seen as heroes in Japan, and their actions were framed as the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The poem, however, critiques this ideology, focusing on the emotional and psychological toll of such a mission, and showing the human side of a pilot who ultimately chooses to abandon the mission.
• Japanese Nationalism: During the war, Japan’s militaristic and nationalistic culture glorified the notion of self-sacrifice for the state. Pilots were trained to consider their duty as an ultimate, almost religious, commitment. The poem contrasts this ideal with the personal conflict and alienation that results when individuals, like the kamikaze pilot, do not conform to these national expectations.
2. Literary Context:
• Post-War Disillusionment: Beatrice Garland, a modern poet, reflects the disillusionment many felt after the horrors of war. The poem’s focus on internal struggle and alienation speaks to a broader post-war narrative in which individuals grapple with the impact of war on their identity. Garland is also addressing the idea that, after the war, the sacrifices of soldiers—especially those seen as “failed” heroes—are often forgotten or ignored, leaving them emotionally and psychologically scarred.
• The Role of Women in Poetry: Garland, as a female poet, also uses her position to challenge traditional gender roles. The poem presents the female perspective through the eyes of the pilot’s daughter, exploring how patriotism and gender intersect in wartime. The mother’s role in the poem, as well as the depiction of the pilot’s daughter, emphasizes how war affects families and women, not just soldiers. This challenges the often male-dominated narratives of war and sacrifice.
3. Cultural Context:
• The Japanese Sense of Honour: In Japan, honour (or “bushido”) was a central tenet of society, especially during wartime. The kamikaze pilot, like many other soldiers, was expected to show absolute loyalty to the emperor and the nation, with death seen as the highest form of devotion. Garland highlights the emotional and psychological consequences of this intense nationalistic pressure through the pilot’s hesitation and eventual return.
• The Long-Term Effects of War: Garland critiques the societal view of soldiers as mere instruments of national pride, showing the long-term consequences of such an attitude. The disrespect and alienation the pilot faces upon his return from the mission reflect how soldiers are often discarded or forgotten by the society that once glorified their sacrifices. This reflects the broader disillusionment with the romanticised ideals of war and sacrifice.
4. The Romantic Tradition: Garland’s portrayal of the pilot’s moment of doubt—where he chooses life over duty—can also be linked to the Romantic tradition in literature, which emphasised the importance of individual emotions, nature, and the rejection of rigid societal norms. The pilot’s internal conflict mirrors Romantic themes of personal autonomy and the consequences of conformity. The Romantic movement, which reacted against the Industrial Revolution and the dehumanising effects of war, resonates with Garland’s exploration of the pilot’s individual humanity versus the dehumanising pressure of nationalistic duty.
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How to Use This Context:
• Historical Context: You can drop the idea of kamikaze pilots and Japanese nationalism to show that Garland is engaging with real historical figures and ideals, and how she critiques those ideals through the poem.
• Literary Context: You could bring in the disillusionment following WWII or even the role of women in poetry to show how Garland challenges traditional narratives, especially in how war affects those who are often left behind—like the families of soldiers.
• Cultural Context: Mention the concept of honour in Japan and how Garland contrasts this with the emotional cost of the soldier’s experience, making the pilot’s choice a personal rebellion against a broader cultural system.
• Romantic Context: You could refer to the Romantic tradition to highlight the pilot’s internal emotional journey as he wrestles with his conscience, which contrasts with the patriotic idealism of the time.
Form and structure
Kamikaze falls within the category of war poetry that explores the experience of those left behind, the people that didn’t fight. Although it is written from the daughters perspective, the third-person narrative establishes a sense of detachment. This mirrors both the detachment the daughter feels from her father and the detachment those left behind feel from the soldiers who experienced the war first-hand.The reader is prompted to pity this unexpectedly obscure narrative to describe what would conventionally be an intimate relationship-the negative effects of war endured socially, politically and emotionally for generations to come.
Volta:
Volta: a turn/ change in the poem.
There is a volta that manifests as a shift from the third to the first person which allows the reader to appreciate that war trauma was passed through the generation. It imbues the poem with a personal quality to serve as a reminder that these experiences, despite being distant happened to real people. • The tinal couplet shifts once again to the third person to re-establish a sense of detachment.
It sets up an ultimatum questioning which would’ve been the “better way to die” yet ironically, the pilot is silenced, denying him the opportunity to answer.This could be representative of how the pilot was stripped of his agency by his military rulers-his fate was predetermined for him and no piafer what actions he made he was destined to “die”
Sestets:
The poem is divided into sestets (stanzas of 6 lines) which can be grouped in two.The first 5 describe the story of her father’s mission, it moves linearly and enjambment is common which creates a sense of speed and momentum.Yet, the final two stanzas explore his return, this compresses the years after his return to be far shorter than his flight that would’ve happened within minutes or hours. The gravitas of his decision within that one moment cut his life short.
Meter:
Initially, the poem is written in free verse to allow it to unfold quickly, mimicking the light of the plane. It could also represent the spontaneity of his decision due to his internal conflict.• However, the end resorts to iambs which reinstate a steady and melancholic tone, perhaps th words seem more considered making the poem almost mirror an elegy. (A speech about someone who has died).
Structure:
• As previously mentioned, enjambement is rife within the poem. It creates momentum and a sense of restlessness which could mirror the pilot’s disrupted mind.• Initially, it accelerates the speed of the poem, the pilot had to act quickly to avoid reflecting on thoughts of death- he was acting in almost a robotic manner under the mind control of his leaders.• Alternatively, Garland creates a disparity between the rigid structure of the regular sestets and the free-flowing enjambement. This could be emblematic of the oppressive military control in comparison to the freedom of his childhood.
Lack of rhyme scheme:
The absence of rhyme presents the poem in a prosaic manner (unpoetic it the way it was written).This serves to mimic it being told orally as a story to the daughter’s children, it also strays from any romantic flourishes that could glorify the notion of war.• It is told simplistically and factually to allow emotion to shine through and make shifts such as the change in perspective more apparent and unsettling.
