KAMIKAZE Flashcards
GIVE KAMIKAZE QUOTATIONS
“embarked at sunrise”
“a shaven head full of powerful incantations”
“little fishing boats strung out like bunting on a green translucent sea”
“he must have wondered which had been the better way to die”
“dark shoals of fishes flashing silver as their bellies swivelled to the sun”
“cloud marked mackerel, black crabs, feathery prawns”
“her father embarked at sunrise”
this appears seemingly positive as sunrise is typically associated with hope however contextually Japan is known as the land of the rising sun and a sunrise featured in the Japanese flag. Therefore Nature has become corrupt with war imagery.
“a shaven head full of powerful incantations”
this suggests that the father has been bewitches by the Japanese propaganda and is brainwashed into thinking that the mission is honourable and noble, reflecting the honour based culture of 1940 Japan.
“little fishing boats strung out like bunting”
this simile creates sadness as bunting is typical of celebration of victoried however the pilots return will not be a celebration. It also could have been a reason for the father to return home as it is nostalgic.
“dark shoals of fishes flashing silver as their bellies swivelled to the sun”
Garland uses the nature imagery as representative of a samurai sword, showing nature to be harmonious and powerful. Additionally, “bellies swivelled towards the sun” connotes light and warmth imagery and could be a metaphor for how the pilot turned to the warmth of home.
“cloud-marked mackerel, black crabs, feathery prawns”
Garland lists the various fish in order to connote the childhood joy and innocence the pilot experienced and alongside represents the depth and diversity of the ocean , therefore nature and life is valuable to him. The fish could also represent people like the pilot, who are caught up in the net of mankind, emphasising the futility of the mission.
“he must have wondered which had been the better way to die”
The final line is incredibly bleak as the fathers choice to preserve his life and the other he would have killed, caused him to be shunned and ostracised from his society and family. Therefore, the father has died either way.
explain the form and structure of kamikaze
There is a contrast in the form and structure. Garland uses tight control of six line stanzas which can be seen to reflect the military’s control over civilians however on the other hand the poem is written in free verse and has an abundance of enjambment which reflects the freedom the pilot craves. Therefore the contrast is a reflection of the pilots inner conflict.
