Kamikaze Flashcards

1
Q

What was the term ‘kamikaze’ used for in the Second World War?

A

It was used to describe Japanese fighter pilots who were sent on suicide missions.
They were expected to crash their warplanes into enemy warships.

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2
Q

What does the word ‘kamikaze’ literally translate into?

A

‘divine wind’

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3
Q

What themes are in the poem?

A

The sea

Family life

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4
Q

How is the theme of THE SEA shown in the poem?

A

The traditional way of life and its close links to the sea have a timeless quality.

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5
Q

How is the theme of FAMILY LIFE shown in the poem?

A

There are repeated references to family members as the poem unfolds.

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6
Q

What is evidence of the theme THE SEA in the poem?

A

Mentions of fishing boats, different types of fish, the ‘green-blue translucent sea’, the shore, pebbles, ‘the turbulent inrush of breakers’, ‘salt-sodden’, ‘awash’.

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7
Q

What is evidence of the theme FAMILY LIFE in the poem?

A

Mentions of father, brothers, grandfather, mother, children.

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8
Q

What is an analysis of the theme of THE SEA in the poem?

A

The pilot remembers details of the games he played with his brothers, the colours and patterns of the fish and the taste of the sea salt. These vivid memories suggest what he is about to lose and conveys a powerful sense of home-sickness.

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9
Q

What is an analysis of the theme of FAMILY LIFE in the poem?

A

The story of the pilot is at last told to a whole new generation of grandchildren, who perhaps never met him. These references establish the consequences of the pilot’s decision - his entire family and community judge him. The reader is invited to question whether the pilot is being judged too harshly, and to reflect on the practice of suicide missions in war.

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10
Q

What does the phrase ‘- yes, grandfather’s boat’ suggest about the way the daughter who tells the story has come to see her father?

A

The line suggests this family story has been told before to the children and is familiar. Perhaps they are even joining in when the storyteller says, ‘- yes, grandfather’s boat’.

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11
Q

What are two interpretations of the whole poem?

A

The poem contrasts the vividness of the pilot’s moment of choice with the disappointment of his life afterwards.

The poem is an attempt to come to terms with the past and achieve some kind of closure.

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12
Q

What are two interpretations of the last stanza in the poem?

A

The poem closes with a bleak view of her father that offers little comfort or tenderness.

The poem closes on a note of tender regret, which hints at forgiveness.

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13
Q

What does the poem explore?

A

The poem explores the pilot’s ostracisation (isolation) from his community because of failing to do what was seen as his duty.

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14
Q

What are key ideas of the poem?

A

The power and influence of community values
The power of memory and allure of childhood
Nature
Duty and life

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15
Q

What is the role of memories and childhood in the poem?

A

The poet presents memories of childhood as something that lures the pilot back from his mission and triggers his change of heart.

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16
Q

Who wrote Kamikaze?

A

Beatrice Garland

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17
Q

How does Garland use structure in the poem?

A

To showcase the mixed emotions of the speaker and the plot

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18
Q

What is the purpose of italics to highlight the Daughter’s speech?

A

To emphasise the importance of the speaker’s words and the significance of what she is saying

19
Q

What does the caesura in the quotation below signify?

“but half way there, she thought, recounting it later to her children”

A

Marks the daughter’s moment of contemplation

Mirrors the pilot’s moment of hesitation

20
Q

Finish the sentence:

The poet explores the consequences of…

A

…not fulfilling one’s duty

21
Q

What techniques does Garland use to highlight the importance of honour?

A

Symbolism
Title
Listing
Metaphor

22
Q

Give an example of a METAPHOR that highlights the importance of honour:

A

“One-way journey into history”.

This metaphor could highlight the significance of the act and the honour it could bring him.

23
Q

Give an example of LISTING that highlights the importance of honour:

A

“…with a flask of water, a samurai sword / in the cockpit, a shaven head / full of powerful incantations”.
This technique suggests that this is a ritual, and gives the sense of dignity and respect for tradition.

24
Q

Give an example of SYMBOLISM that highlights the importance of honour:

A

“Her father embarked at sunrise”
Japan is known as “the land of the rising sun”, so this could be a reference to the country’s heritage.
It is also a symbol of hope.

25
Q

How does the title of the poem highlight the importance of honour?

A

It was considered an honour to perform the role of a kamikaze pilot. Having this as the title sets the poem up.

26
Q

Which quotes relate to the theme of honour in Kamikaze?

A

“…With a flask of water, a samurai sword / in the cockpit, a shaven head / full of powerful incantations”
“One-way journey into history”
“Her father embarked at sunrise”
“Kamikaze”

27
Q

How does Garland help us emphasise with the pilots reasons for turning back?

A

She highlights the beauty of nature and life.

28
Q

How could fish be symbolic in the poem?

A

You could argue that there is a connection between the pilot and fish: just as they become trapped in nets, he cannot escape society’s expectations of him.

29
Q

What are examples of natural imagery in the poem?

A

“Green-blue translucent sea”

“Shoals of fishes”

30
Q

What is the effect of sibilance in stanza three?

A

It mimics the smooth, graceful movement of the fish and adds to the rich descriptions of nature.

31
Q

What is an example of dark imagery in the poem?

A

“…a tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous”

32
Q

What does the quotation “…a tuna, the dark prince, muscular, dangerous” hint about nature?

A

That there is a more powerful, even predatory side of nature, and perhaps the darker end to the poem.

33
Q

How is there Irony in the poem?

A

The pilot returns alive, though he has still suffered a death of sorts.

34
Q

What techniques are used to bring out the irony in the poem?

A

Imagery

Simile

35
Q

Give an example of Imagery used to bring out the irony in the poem:

A

“And he remembered how he / and his brothers waiting on the shore / built cairns of pearl-grey pebbles”

The contrast between this innocent image and the pilot’s fate creates a tone of sadness.

36
Q

Give an example of how a simile is used to bring out the irony in the poem:

A

“Strung out like bunting”

Positive image with connotations of celebration - ironic considering what the pilot is about to do.

37
Q

What could the simile “strung out like bunting” symbolise?

A

Life and joy and acts as a reminder to the pilot of what he is leaving behind. This makes his fate even more tragic

38
Q

What could the enjambment in the poem reflect (when the pilot is looking back at memories)?

A

It could reflect the way the pilot was caught up in those memories as he was looking down

39
Q

What does the use of aside hint about family emotions?

A

The aside used in “yes, grandfather’s boat) hints at the complexity of family emotions, how the speaker now feels free to speak about her father.
The italics could potentially show her excitement at being able to mention his name.

40
Q

Give an example of a quotation that helps us empathise with the pilot’s decision:

A

“Green-blue translucent sea”

Highlights the beauty of the world and everything the pilot stands to loose.

41
Q

What poems could you compare to Kamikaze on the theme of the power of nature?

A

Storm on the Island
Tissue
Exposure
The Prelude

42
Q

What poems could you compare to Kamikaze on the theme of the power of society?

A

London

The Emigree

43
Q

What poems could you compare to Kamikaze on the theme of conflicting emotions?

A

Poppies
Bayonet Charge
War Photographer

44
Q

What poems could you compare to Kamikaze on the theme of the power of memories?

A

Poppies

The Emigree